diff --git a/common/insert_property.py b/common/insert_property.py
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..1ee5687
--- /dev/null
+++ b/common/insert_property.py
@@ -0,0 +1,133 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python3
+#
+# insert_property.py:  For the given install path, library name, and cellname,
+# find the Magic layout of the cell, and add the specified property string.
+# If the property exists and is the same as specified, then it remains the
+# same.  If the property exists but has a different value, it is replaced.
+# The property is added to the layout in both the mag/ (full) and maglef/
+# (abstract) directories.  Option "-maglef" or "-mag" will restrict the
+# use to only the view indicated by the option.
+# 
+# e.g.:
+#
+# insert_property.py /home/tim/projects/efabless/tech/SkyWater/EFS8A \
+#	s8iom0 s8iom0s8_top_gpio "FIXED_BBOX 0 607 15000 40200"
+
+import os
+import re
+import sys
+
+def addprop(filename, propstring, noupdate):
+    with open(filename, 'r') as ifile:
+        magtext = ifile.read().splitlines() 
+
+    propname = propstring.split()[0]
+    proprex = re.compile('<< properties >>')
+    endrex = re.compile('<< end >>')
+
+    in_props = False
+    printed = False
+    done = False
+
+    with open(filename, 'w') as ofile:
+        for line in magtext:
+            pmatch = proprex.match(line)
+            if pmatch:
+                in_props = True
+            elif in_props:
+                linetok = line.split()
+                if linetok[0] == 'string':
+                    testname = linetok[1]
+                    testval = linetok[2]
+                    if testname == propname:
+                        if noupdate == False:
+                            print('string ' + propstring, file=ofile)
+                            printed = True
+                        done = True
+
+            ematch = endrex.match(line)
+            if ematch:
+                if in_props == False:
+                    print('<< properties >>', file=ofile)
+                if done == False:
+                    print('string ' + propstring, file=ofile)
+
+            if not printed:
+                print(line, file=ofile)
+            printed = False
+
+def usage():
+    print("insert_property.py <path_to_pdk> <libname> <cellname> <prop_string> [option]")
+    print("  options:")
+    print("   -mag      do only for the view in the mag/ directory")
+    print("   -maglef   do only for the view in the maglef/ directory")
+    print("   -noupdate do not replace the property if it already exists in the file")
+    return 0
+
+if __name__ == '__main__':
+
+    options = []
+    arguments = []
+    for item in sys.argv[1:]:
+        if item.find('-', 0) == 0:
+            options.append(item)
+        else:
+            arguments.append(item)
+
+    if len(arguments) < 4:
+        print("Not enough options given to insert_property.py.")
+        usage()
+        sys.exit(0)
+
+    source = arguments[0]
+    libname = arguments[1]
+    cellname = arguments[2]
+    propstring = arguments[3]
+
+    noupdate = True if '-noupdate' in options else False
+    fail = 0
+
+    efformat = True if '-ef_format' in options else False
+
+    domag = True
+    domaglef = True
+    if '-mag' in options and '-maglef' not in options:
+        domaglef = False
+    if '-maglef' in options and '-mag' not in options:
+        domag = False
+
+    if domag:
+        if efformat:
+            filename = source + '/libs.ref/mag/' + libname + '/' + cellname + '.mag'
+        else:
+            filename = source + '/libs.ref/' + libname + '/mag/' + cellname + '.mag'
+
+        if os.path.isfile(filename):
+            addprop(filename, propstring, noupdate)
+        else:
+            fail += 1
+    else:
+        fail += 1
+
+    if domaglef:
+        if efformat:
+            filename = source + '/libs.ref/maglef/' + libname + '/' + cellname + '.mag'
+        else:
+            filename = source + '/libs.ref/' + libname + '/maglef/' + cellname + '.mag'
+
+        if os.path.isfile(filename):
+            addprop(filename, propstring, noupdate)
+        else:
+            fail += 1
+    else:
+        fail += 1
+
+    if fail == 2:
+        print('Error:  No layout file in either mag/ or maglef/', file=sys.stderr)
+        if efformat:
+            print('(' + source + '/libs.ref/mag[lef]/' + libname +
+		    '/' + cellname + '.mag)', file=sys.stderr)
+        else:
+            print('(' + source + '/libs.ref/' + libname + '/mag[lef]/'
+		    + cellname + '.mag)', file=sys.stderr)
+