# Toolchain

Monata can call external simulators and model compilers. These pages explain
those tools in detail. Use them when the user guide tells you to choose,
configure, or debug a backend or compiled model.

```{toctree}
:maxdepth: 2

external-tools
ngspice
xyce
openvaf-osdi
adms
```

## How These Pages Relate to Monata

| Tool | Role in Monata |
| --- | --- |
| External tools | Public installation boundary, `lizhangmai-skills` local conda-channel workflow, and pixi environment setup |
| ngspice | Current local SPICE backend: subprocess by default, shared-library runner when `libngspice` is user-provided |
| Xyce | Deferred scalable SPICE backend |
| OpenVAF | Deferred Verilog-A compilation path; existing OSDI artifacts can be loaded by ngspice |
| ADMS | Deferred Verilog-A to Xyce plugin generation path |

The main user guide stays focused on Monata objects and workflows. Toolchain
pages cover backend-specific syntax, installation, limitations, and examples.