A circuit configuration for a pipeline core to be implemented in a programmable integrated circuit (IC) is dynamically specified by providing a single code set embodying an expanded netlist representative of a dynamic circuit configuration of the pipeline core. The code set, which includes one or more parameter variables that determine the length and width of the implemented pipeline core, is synthesized by setting the parameter variables to selected constant values to generate a reduced netlist embodying a static circuit configuration for the implemented pipeline core.