WRspice is intended for use as an interactive tool, though various batch-mode features are supported. Circuit input is provided in the form of files which are loaded into WRspice. These files can be generated by the user with a text editor, or be generated by a graphical editor program such as Xic. Once loaded into WRspice, a circuit is subject to the many types of analysis and post-processing operations available through WRspice commands. These commands can be given interactively through the text-mode interface provided by WRspice, or in many cases through graphical operations.
The most common way directives are provided to WRspice is through the text-mode command line interface. The command line interface behaves very much like a UNIX shell, through which commands are entered, variables set, and output is printed. The shell provides most of the mechanisms familiar from UNIX shells, including aliasing, history substitution, and command completion.
The command shell is normally established on the input terminal or terminal emulation window from which WRspice was executed. WRspice takes control of this terminal, that is, all input typed will be directed to WRspice, however the operating system job control commands can be used to place WRspice in the background.
The WRspice shell provides a command language, which enables scripts containing commands to be executed. Writing scripts enables automation of repetitive or complicated tasks. Control commands can be added to circuit files, and in fact a unified input processing system handles both type of input. Input files are loaded into WRspice with the source command. The ``source'' is in fact optional. If the file name does not conflict with the name of a WRspice command, simply typing the name of the file will perform the source operation.
When graphics is available, WRspice provides a small Tool Control window which contains menus. The menus contain buttons which in turn bring up graphical tools which control most of WRspice. All of the operations of these tools have analogous command line commands, though many users find the graphical interface preferable.
WRspice contains a complete HTML-based help system, available with the help command. The help windows provide an extensively cross-linked reference on the various commands and features. In addition, the help windows can be used to view arbitrary HTML content on the Internet or on the user's local machine.