Handbook Version v2026.04.17.1 Released 2026-04-17

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Install and Launch

Goal

Confirm that the app launches cleanly and lands on the library home page so you can move on to real work.

Supported Platforms

• iOS
• macOS

Intended Audience

• New users launching PCBAtlas for the first time
• Testers confirming that the app reaches the library successfully

Prerequisites

• PCBAtlas is installed on the current device
• The app can be launched normally from the system

Steps

1. Launch PCBAtlas and wait for the library home page to appear.
2. If the library starts empty, confirm that the built-in sample documents are seeded automatically.
3. Check that layout switching, import entry points, and basic home-page interaction all work.

Result

• The app reaches the library home page and is ready for import or document opening.

What You See the First Time

1. The app opens to the Library home page instead of jumping straight into a board.
2. If the library is completely empty, the app automatically seeds it with two built-in sample documents: h730duino and BluePhil.
3. The library supports both card and list layouts, and it exposes entry points for import, help, and batch selection.

Suggested Checks

1. The app launches reliably without repeated error dialogs.
2. The home page responds to clicks, scrolling, and layout switching.
3. You can see the library title and the import entry points.
4. If the library was previously empty, the two sample documents are visible.

Success Criteria

• You can reach the library home page.
• The home page is interactive and lets you continue with import or document opening.
• In an empty-library case, the sample documents appear; in an existing-library case, your existing document list appears.

Platform Differences

• iOS: compact layouts are more common, top space is tighter, and panel switching inside the workspace often happens from the bottom tab area.
• macOS: both the library and the workspace benefit from wider side-by-side layouts that show more information at once.

Common Questions

What if the app launches to a blank screen?

Quit the app completely and reopen it. If it still cannot reach the library, record any system error prompt and check Permissions and file access.

Is an empty library abnormal?

No. As long as you can import files or see the built-in sample documents, the initial state is normal.

Last Verified

• 2026-04-17