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bom-generator

Skill28 starsChanged 29 days agoMITView on GitHub

Generates Bill of Materials (BOM) from project descriptions for Arduino/ESP32/RP2040 projects. Use when user needs component lists, parts shopping lists, cost estimates, or asks "what parts do I need". Outputs formatted BOMs with part numbers, quantities, suppliers (DigiKey, Mouser, Amazon, AliExpress), and compatibility warnings. Run scripts/generate_bom.py for xlsx/csv export.

1 other project uses a version of this.

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We split this skill into the rules it gives an agent

2 rules. About 0 are common, 1 is distinctive, and 1 is very specific to this project.

  • ≈0

    Common · estimate

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  1. Very specific:

    Run scripts/generate_bom.py --interactive for guided generation, or use this template format:

    line 58
  2. Distinctive:

    Use the shared Arduino skill contract: state assumptions, required tools and versions, implementation steps, tests/evidence by proof stage, …

    line 296

≈ “Common” is an estimate: at least 1 in 5 of the 350,495 skill files we read have a rule of the same kind, not the same words. “Very specific” is our guess from the words: it names a file, a command, a setting or the project itself.

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Files
SKILL.md

BOM Generator

Creates comprehensive Bill of Materials for maker projects with supplier links and compatibility checks.

Resources

  • scripts/generate_bom.py - Python script for xlsx/csv/markdown BOM generation (requires openpyxl)
  • references/example-bom.md - Complete example BOM
  • assets/example-project.json - Sample project configuration for script

Quick Start

Generate BOM interactively:

uv run --no-project scripts/generate_bom.py --interactive

Generate from JSON configuration:

uv run --no-project scripts/generate_bom.py --json assets/example-project.json --output bom.xlsx

List component database:

uv run --no-project scripts/generate_bom.py --list

Export formats: xlsx (default), csv, md, json

When to Use

  • User describes a project and needs parts list
  • User asks "what components do I need for X"
  • User wants to order parts for a design
  • User needs cost estimates

Workflow

Step 1: Gather Project Requirements

Ask user for:

1. Project description (what does it do?)
2. Target microcontroller (Arduino UNO/Nano/Mega, ESP32, RP2040)
3. Power source (USB, batteries, wall adapter)
4. Quantity (how many units to build?)
5. Budget constraints (optional)
6. Supplier preference (optional)

Step 2: Generate BOM

Run scripts/generate_bom.py --interactive for guided generation, or use this template format:

# Bill of Materials: [Project Name]

**Generated:** [Date]
**Target Board:** [MCU]
**Quantity:** [N] unit(s)
**Estimated Total:** $[X.XX] - $[Y.YY] (per unit)

## Core Components

| Qty | Component | Specifications | Est. Price | Supplier Links |
|-----|-----------|----------------|------------|----------------|
| 1 | [MCU Board] | [specs] | $X.XX | [DigiKey](#) / [Amazon](#) |
| ... | ... | ... | ... | ... |

## Sensors & Input

| Qty | Component | Specifications | Est. Price | Supplier Links |
|-----|-----------|----------------|------------|----------------|
| ... | ... | ... | ... | ... |

## Output Devices

| Qty | Component | Specifications | Est. Price | Supplier Links |
|-----|-----------|----------------|------------|----------------|
| ... | ... | ... | ... | ... |

## Power Components

| Qty | Component | Specifications | Est. Price | Supplier Links |
|-----|-----------|----------------|------------|----------------|
| ... | ... | ... | ... | ... |

## Passive Components

| Qty | Component | Specifications | Est. Price | Supplier Links |
|-----|-----------|----------------|------------|----------------|
| ... | ... | ... | ... | ... |

## Mechanical & Connectors

| Qty | Component | Specifications | Est. Price | Supplier Links |
|-----|-----------|----------------|------------|----------------|
| ... | ... | ... | ... | ... |

## Tools Required (if not owned)
- [ ] Tool 1
- [ ] Tool 2

## Compatibility Warnings
⚠️ [Any voltage/current/timing concerns]

## Substitution Notes
💡 [Alternative components if primary unavailable]

Component Database

Microcontrollers

BoardVoltageGPIOFlashPrice RangeBest For
Arduino UNO R35V1432KB$12-25Beginners, most tutorials
Arduino Nano5V1432KB$3-20Compact projects
Arduino Mega5V54256KB$15-40Many I/O, large programs
ESP32 DevKit3.3V344MB$5-15WiFi, Bluetooth, IoT
ESP32-C33.3V224MB$4-10Low-cost WiFi
RP2040 Pico3.3V262MB$4-6Dual-core, PIO
RP2040 Pico W3.3V262MB$6-8Pico + WiFi

Common Sensors

SensorInterfaceVoltagePriceUse Case
DHT22/AM23021-Wire3.3-5V$3-8Temperature + humidity
BME280I2C/SPI3.3V$5-15Temp + humidity + pressure
BMP280I2C/SPI3.3V$2-8Temp + pressure (no humidity)
DS18B201-Wire3-5.5V$2-5Waterproof temperature
HC-SR04GPIO5V$1-3Ultrasonic distance
VL53L0XI2C3.3V$5-12Laser distance (accurate)
MPU6050I2C3.3V$2-8Accelerometer + gyroscope
BNO055I2C3.3V$25-359-DOF IMU (best accuracy)
VEML7700I2C3.3V$4-8Ambient light (lux)
MAX30102I2C3.3V$5-12Heart rate + SpO2

Displays

DisplayInterfaceResolutionPriceNotes
16x2 LCDI2C16 chars$3-8Need I2C backpack
20x4 LCDI2C20 chars$5-12Larger text display
SSD1306 OLEDI2C128x64$3-8Sharp, no backlight needed
SSD1306 OLEDI2C128x32$3-6Compact OLED
ST7735 TFTSPI128x160$5-10Color, fast refresh
ILI9341 TFTSPI240x320$8-15Larger color display
E-PaperSPIVarious$15-40Low power, no refresh

Motors & Actuators

TypeDriver NeededPriceNotes
SG90 ServoNone (PWM)$2-5180°, weak torque
MG996R ServoNone (PWM)$5-10Strong, metal gears
28BYJ-48 StepperULN2003$3-6Cheap, slow, weak
NEMA17 StepperA4988/DRV8825$8-15Strong, precise
DC Motor + GearboxL298N/TB6612$5-15High speed available
Linear ActuatorL298N$15-40Push/pull motion

Motor Drivers

DriverChannelsMax CurrentVoltagePrice
L298N22A/ch5-35V$3-8
TB6612FNG21.2A/ch4.5-13.5V$3-8
A49881 stepper2A8-35V$2-5
DRV88251 stepper2.5A8.2-45V$3-6
TMC22091 stepper2A4.75-28V$8-15

Power Components

ComponentSpecsPriceUse Case
LM78055V 1A linear$0.50Simple 5V reg
AMS1117-3.33.3V 1A linear$0.303.3V from 5V
LM2596 ModuleAdj. 3A buck$2-4Efficient step-down
MT3608 ModuleAdj. 2A boost$1-3Step-up voltage
TP4056 ModuleLiPo charger$1-2Battery charging
18650 Holder1-4 cells$1-5Battery mounting
JST Connectors2-pin$2-5/10pkBattery connections

Passive Components (Buy Kits!)

Kit TypeTypical ContentsPriceRecommendation
Resistor Kit600+ pcs, 1/4W$8-15Get once, use forever
Capacitor KitCeramic + electrolytic$10-20Essential
LED Kit5mm various colors$5-10Common needs
Button KitTactile switches$5-8Various sizes
Diode Kit1N4148, 1N4007, etc$5-8Protection circuits

Supplier Guide

Speed vs Cost Trade-offs

SupplierShippingPriceBest For
DigiKey1-3 days$$$Precise specs, datasheets, urgent
Mouser1-3 days$$$Wide selection, quality
Amazon1-2 days$$Quick delivery, returns easy
Adafruit3-5 days$$$Quality, tutorials, support
SparkFun3-5 days$$$Breakout boards, learning
AliExpress2-6 weeks$Bulk, budget, clones
LCSC1-2 weeks$$Chinese components, good quality

Part Number Patterns

DigiKey: Descriptive codes
  - 1N4007-TP → 1N4007 diode
  - SER0006 → Servo motor

Mouser: Manufacturer part numbers
  - Search by exact MPN

Amazon: ASIN codes
  - Search by product name + specs

AliExpress: Store + product ID
  - Check reviews, sold count

Compatibility Checks

Voltage Level Matrix

                     Can Connect To:
From:        3.3V Logic    5V Logic
─────────────────────────────────────
3.3V MCU     ✅ Direct     ⚠️ Level shifter
5V MCU       ⚠️ Divider    ✅ Direct
3.3V Sensor  ✅ Direct     ⚠️ May work*
5V Sensor    ❌ Damage!    ✅ Direct

* Some 3.3V sensors are 5V tolerant - check datasheet

Current Budget Check

Source Limits:
- Arduino 5V pin: 500mA max (from USB)
- Arduino GPIO: 40mA max per pin
- ESP32 3.3V: 500mA max
- ESP32 GPIO: 40mA max
- RP2040 GPIO: 16mA max

Always calculate:
Total current = Σ(component currents)
If total > source limit → external power needed

I2C Address Conflicts

Common I2C addresses to watch:

0x3C - SSD1306 OLED
0x27 - PCF8574 LCD backpack  
0x3F - PCF8574A LCD backpack
0x68 - MPU6050, DS3231 RTC
0x76 - BME280 (default)
0x77 - BME280 (alternate), BMP280
0x48 - ADS1115 ADC
0x50 - AT24C32 EEPROM

Output Format Options

Markdown Table (Default)

Best for documentation, GitHub READMEs.

CSV Export

Qty,Component,Specifications,Unit Price,Total,Supplier,Link
1,Arduino UNO R3,ATmega328P,15.00,15.00,Amazon,https://...

Shopping Cart Links

Provide direct "Add to Cart" links where possible.

Example BOM Output

See references/example-bom.md for complete example.

Shared Output Contract

Use the shared Arduino skill contract: state assumptions, required tools and versions, implementation steps, tests/evidence by proof stage, known limitations, and recovery/security notes.

Download now (ZIP)

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