The original chip definition format based on Boolean formulas works nicely for simple gates, but it becomes a problem when clock-type events are needed, And those are abundant with the buffers, registers and latches.

The chosen solution is in some sense simpler than the formula-based pattern generation as it just is a list of state-definitions executed in a specific order. The state definition are the actual commands send to the Arduino, but with a numeric prefix to make them unique. Python reads the definition into a dict object and those want unique keys. Almost by accident it makes finding the offending definition easier in the error message.