Cadence expands ChipStack for autonomous design workflows

Key Takeaways

• Cadence expands ChipStack for autonomous design workflows, achieving Level-5 autonomy
• The ChipStack AI Super Agent increases RTL validation speed by over 40 times and reduces verification loops from five weeks to less than a day
• The system integrates with NVIDIA Nemotron models, NVIDIA OpenShell runtime, and Cadence electronic design automation tools
• Autonomous capabilities enable engineers to focus on reviewing results and setting objectives, while the system handles workflow tasks

Introduction to Autonomous Design Workflows

Cadence has announced the expansion of its ChipStack platform, introducing autonomous capabilities for its AI Super Agent. This development aims to revolutionize chip design and verification workflows, allowing for dynamic simulations in automated processes. By leveraging NVIDIA Nemotron models and NVIDIA OpenShell runtime, the system ensures secure and efficient design workflows.

From AI Assistance to Autonomous Engineering

The ChipStack AI Super Agent is designed to operate with a high degree of autonomy, enabling engineers to inspect results, guide the process, and collaborate when needed. This agent integrates with collaboration environments and tools like Codex and Claude Code, providing visibility into system activity and decisions. Unlike traditional step-by-step prompts, the ChipStack AI Super Agent evaluates intermediate results, determines next actions, and iterates across tasks such as specification understanding, RTL generation, and verification planning.

Comparison of Autonomous Design Workflows

Engineering Models and Production Security

Cadence links autonomous agent behavior to its physics-based design and verification engines, ensuring AI-driven actions are based on existing computational models and signoff-oriented results. The ChipStack AI Super Agent is deployed within NVIDIA OpenShell runtime, a sandboxed environment that applies governance controls and protects intellectual property through policy controls, isolation, and managed access.

Expansion of Cadence Agentic AI Tools

This release builds on earlier work in agentic AI with NVIDIA, following the acquisition of ChipStack in November 2025. Cadence introduced its first related product in February 2026 and expanded the portfolio at CadenceLIVE in April, including ViraStack AI Super Agent, InnoStack AI Super Agent, and Cadence AgentStack.

Bottom Line

The expansion of Cadence's ChipStack platform marks a significant milestone in the development of autonomous design workflows. By achieving Level-5 autonomy, the ChipStack AI Super Agent increases RTL validation speed and reduces verification loops, enabling engineers to focus on high-level tasks and improving overall design efficiency. With its robust security features and integration with NVIDIA technologies, the ChipStack AI Super Agent is poised to revolutionize the chip design and verification industry.