my design fails detailed routing due a pin access problem. this is probably because the cell is my own design, but i'd like to know how to fix the problem. i thought i used to be able to open the intermediate DEF files from the flow in klayout, but they error when i try now. is it possible to view these somehow? (the errors are klayout complaining that it can't find some cells referenced in there)

There are some additional .lef files under pdk/gf180mcuC/libs.ref/. You probably added the sky130 ones through the technology manager, so that they are always used when you open a def file. You'll need to do the same for gf180mcuC (or if you only need them this one time, you can add them as additional sources in the import dialog).

I use the following script to open the OpenROAD gui itself on the design:

read_lef ./user_project_wrapper/runs/user_project_wrapper/tmp/merged.nom.lef
read_def ./user_project_wrapper/runs/user_project_wrapper/results/placement/user_project_wrapper.def

thanks @htamas configuring the extra lefs in the technology manager worked where the LEF importer didnt

You can open the OR gui to view the DEF as well. Are you pins on grid? Blocked in some way? I can send you some developer debugs if needed

what is this grid for pins?

the routing grid