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Complexa Evaluate Pdbs

NVIDIAOfficialPublished by NVIDIA

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  • Science and research
  • Apache-2.0
  • Medium risk
  • Has scripts

From the author

Agent runbook for evaluating an existing PDB directory through the separately installed first-party Proteina-Complexa CLI. Use to refold or score designs, compute interface pAE, i_pLDDT, scRMSD, motif RMSD, or designability, run complexa analysis, or assess third-party BindCraft, AlphaProteo, or RFdiffusion outputs. SKILL.md selects and invokes the evaluation configuration; bundled executables only inspect local readiness and write a run manifest.
— the description by NVIDIA

AutoGineer summary

Written by AutoGineer from the skill’s own files, not by the author

The complexa-evaluate-pdbs skill provides a structured workflow to evaluate directories of pre-existing PDB files. It utilizes the Proteina-Complexa CLI to perform refolding and metric computation, including interface pAE, i_pLDDT, scRMSD, and designability scores. The skill supports various design types such as protein binders, ligand binders, and AME (motif-ligand) designs, allowing users to assess outputs from third-party tools like BindCraft, AlphaProteo, or RFdiffusion. It handles the full evaluation pipeline from pre-flight environment checks to final manifest generation.

What it does

  • Refolds PDB files using backends like AF2, RF3, ESMFold, or Boltz2.
  • Computes interface metrics including i_pAE, i_pTM, pLDDT, and scRMSD.
  • Assesses monomer and codesignability through ProteinMPNN-based redesign.
  • Calculates motif-specific metrics such as motif RMSD and sequence recovery.
  • Aggregates results into CSV summaries with pass-rate analysis based on defined thresholds.
  • Generates a run manifest to track configurations, git SHAs, and output paths for reproducibility.

When to use it

  • When you need to evaluate a directory of pre-existing PDB designs.
  • When assessing the quality of third-party protein binder or ligand binder outputs.
  • When performing motif-aware evaluation for enzyme or AME designs.
  • When you need to generate standardized pass-rate reports for a set of protein structures.

Advantages

  • Automates the complex evaluation-to-analysis pipeline for protein designs.
  • Supports multiple folding backends and design types within a unified configuration framework.
  • Provides standardized metrics and success thresholds for consistent result interpretation.
  • Includes pre-flight checks to ensure hardware and environment readiness before execution.

Usage examples

“Evaluate my protein binder PDBs in /data/designs using AF2.”
The agent runs the pre-flight check, then executes the complexa analysis command with the protein_binder configuration and colabdesign backend.
“Score these ligand binder designs in /data/ligands.”
The agent identifies the ligand_binder type, configures the RF3 folding backend, and runs the evaluation and analysis steps.

Install

  1. Download the skill as a ZIP:

    https://autogineer.com/agent-skills/nvidia/complexa-evaluate-pdbs/download
  2. Unzip it into the cross-client skills folder of your project:

    mkdir -p .agents/skills && unzip complexa-evaluate-pdbs.zip -d .agents/skills

Documentation by NVIDIA

Complexa Evaluate-PDBs Skill

Score a directory of pre-existing PDB files against the same metrics Proteina-Complexa uses internally. Wraps complexa analysis <evaluate_config> ++sample_storage_path=<dir>: the CLI runs the evaluate step (refold + interface metrics + monomer metrics) and then the analyze step (success thresholds, diversity, pass-rate CSVs). Do not run complexa generate here — the inputs already exist.

What this skill enables

  • Re-fold a directory of designed PDBs with AF2 (colabdesign), RF3 (rf3_latest), ESMFold (esmfold), or Boltz2 (boltz2_default).

  • Compute binder interface metrics: i_pAE, min_ipAE, i_pTM, pLDDT, binder/complex scRMSD.

  • Compute monomer designability (ProteinMPNN-redesigned scRMSD) and codesignability (original sequence refold scRMSD).

  • For motif inputs: motif RMSD (CA + all-atom), motif-region designability/codesignability, sequence recovery.

  • Aggregate into per-PDB CSVs plus pass-rate summaries using the default thresholds for the result_type.

Step 1: Pre-flight

Always check GPU / disk / tool binaries before launching a refold job. RF3 and ColabDesign-AF2 are large.

bash scripts/preflight.sh

Surface from preflight.json:

  • gpu.available and gpu.vram_gb — colabdesign/RF3 need ≥40 GB; ESMFold tolerates ≥24 GB.

  • env.missing_required — must include the keys for the chosen folding backend:

    • colabdesign → AF2_DIR

    • rf3_latest → RF3_CKPT_PATH, RF3_EXEC_PATH

    • esmfold → ESMFold weights resolvable

  • tools.{foldseek,mmseqs} — required by aggregation.compute_diversity / compute_mmseqs_diversity (both default true).

If any required key is missing, route the user to the complexa-setup skill.

Step 2: Identify the design type

Like complexa design, evaluation has one default flow (protein binder) and two extensions (ligand binder, AME). The evaluate config you pass to complexa analysis decides everything else (which metrics, which refolder defaults, which thresholds the analyze step applies).

Default — protein binder
complexa analysis configs/evaluate_from_pdb_dir.yaml \
    ++sample_storage_path=/abs/path/to/pdbs \
    ++dataset.task_name=02_PDL1 \
    ++result_type=protein_binder \
    ++metric.binder_folding_method=colabdesign \
    ++metric.inverse_folding_model=soluble_mpnn \
    ++run_name=eval_pdl1_af2

Use this when the user's PDBs are protein-binder designs (multi-chain, binder is the last chain) or third-party outputs from BindCraft / AlphaProteo / RFdiffusion. Pulls thresholds for protein_binder (i_pAE * 31 ≤ 7.0, pLDDT ≥ 0.9, scRMSD_ca < 1.5 Å).

Extensions — pick the matching config
Design typeUse the protein-binder default?Evaluate configAnalyze configresult_typeDefault backend
Protein binderYes (default)configs/evaluate_from_pdb_dir.yamlconfigs/analyze.yamlprotein_bindercolabdesign (AF2)
Ligand binder (binder + small-molecule)Same evaluate config, swap 3 overridesconfigs/evaluate_from_pdb_dir.yamlconfigs/analyze.yamlligand_binderrf3_latest
AME / motif + ligand (enzyme outputs)No — needs motif-aware configconfigs/evaluate_ame_from_pdb_dir.yamlconfigs/analyze_motif_binder.yamlmotif_ligand_binderrf3_latest
Motif protein binder (standalone)No — no _from_pdb_dir variantconfigs/evaluate_motif_binder.yaml + ++input_mode=pdb_dirconfigs/analyze_motif_binder.yamlmotif_protein_bindercolabdesign / rf3_latest

Extending to ligand binder (same evaluate config as default, three override swaps):

complexa analysis configs/evaluate_from_pdb_dir.yaml \
    ++sample_storage_path=/abs/path/to/pdbs \
    ++dataset.task_name=39_7V11_LIGAND \
    ++result_type=ligand_binder \
    ++metric.binder_folding_method=rf3_latest \
    ++metric.inverse_folding_model=ligand_mpnn \
    ++run_name=eval_v11_rf3

Extending to AME (different config; ligand auto-completion gotcha — see Step 4):

complexa analysis configs/evaluate_ame_from_pdb_dir.yaml \
    ++sample_storage_path=/abs/path/to/pdbs \
    ++dataset.task_name=M0096_1chm \
    ++run_name=eval_ame_chm

See references/eval_configs.md for the full matrix (every result_type, every threshold default, every supported folding backend, motif-protein-binder variant).

Step 3: Gather inputs (AskUserQuestion)

Ask in one batched AskUserQuestion:

  1. pdb_dir — absolute path to the directory of PDBs to evaluate.

  2. Design type — protein binder / ligand binder / AME (motif + ligand).

  3. Folding backend — colabdesign (AF2, protein binders), rf3_latest (ligand / AME), boltz2_default (alternative).

  4. Target / task name — must match a key in configs/targets/targets_dict.yaml, configs/targets/ligand_targets_dict.yaml, or configs/design_tasks/ame_dict_v2.yaml. Required for binder + AME evaluation (needed to identify the target reference and, for AME, the motif contigs).

  5. AME-only: confirm ligand residue name is already renamed to L:0 in every PDB (see Troubleshooting). If not, do that rename first.

Step 4: Run evaluate → analyze

Prefer complexa analysis (the evaluate→analyze chain) — it reuses the same config for both steps and writes a single log dir.

# Protein binder PDB dir, AF2 refold
complexa analysis configs/evaluate_from_pdb_dir.yaml \
  ++sample_storage_path=/abs/path/to/pdbs \
  ++dataset.task_name=02_PDL1 \
  ++metric.binder_folding_method=colabdesign \
  ++metric.inverse_folding_model=soluble_mpnn \
  ++result_type=protein_binder \
  ++run_name=eval_pdl1_af2

For ligand binders flip binder_folding_method=rf3_latest, inverse_folding_model=ligand_mpnn, result_type=ligand_binder. For AME use configs/evaluate_ame_from_pdb_dir.yaml — see references/eval_configs.md for full worked examples.

If you need to inspect output between stages, run them separately. The configs above are shared between evaluate and analyze:

complexa evaluate configs/evaluate_from_pdb_dir.yaml ++sample_storage_path=/abs/path/to/pdbs ++run_name=eval_pdl1_af2
complexa analyze  configs/evaluate_from_pdb_dir.yaml ++run_name=eval_pdl1_af2

Dry-run first if the user is unsure (no GPU work happens; the planned file walk + invocation prints):

complexa analysis configs/evaluate_from_pdb_dir.yaml ++sample_storage_path=/abs/path/to/pdbs ++dryrun=true
Direct module invocation (debug fallback)

complexa evaluate / analyze are subprocess wrappers around the Hydra modules with logging + parallel job splitting bolted on. To attach a debugger or run under a profiler, invoke the module directly:

python -m proteinfoundation.evaluate \
    --config-path "$(realpath configs)" \
    --config-name evaluate_from_pdb_dir \
    ++sample_storage_path=/abs/path/to/pdbs \
    ++dataset.task_name=02_PDL1 \
    ++metric.binder_folding_method=colabdesign \
    ++run_name=eval_debug

For normal one-shot runs prefer complexa analysis — you get the shared log dir and a single replayable invocation, instead of having to thread the same overrides through two python -m calls.

Step 5: Parse results

Output lands under ./evaluation_results/${run_name}/:

  • Per-PDB metrics CSV — *_results_*.csv (one row per input PDB × sequence_types).

  • Pass-rate summaries — written by the analyze step (e.g. res_designability.csv, res_filter_ligand_pass_*.csv, success_criteria_*.json).

  • Diversity output — FoldSeek/MMseqs2 cluster files when aggregation.compute_diversity=true (default).

Summarize to the user:

  • Per-PDB row count and number of successful designs vs total.

  • Default-threshold pass rate by result_type (e.g. for protein_binder: i_pAE*31 <= 7.0 AND pLDDT >= 0.9 AND scRMSD_ca < 1.5).

  • Top 5 designs by primary metric (i_pAE for protein, min_ipAE for ligand, motif_rmsd_pred_all for motif binders).

Step 6: Emit manifest

Capture the resolved invocation + outputs for replay.

python3 scripts/write_manifest.py \
  --output-dir ./evaluation_results/${run_name} \
  --command "complexa analysis configs/evaluate_from_pdb_dir.yaml ++sample_storage_path=<dir> ++dataset.task_name=<task> ++metric.binder_folding_method=<backend> ++run_name=<run>" \
  --skill complexa-evaluate-pdbs \
  --out ./eval_manifest.json

The manifest pins: resolved config, git SHA, ckpt SHA-256s, the result CSV paths, and the user-stated result_type for replay.

Most common overrides

OverrideEffect
++sample_storage_path=<dir>The directory of PDBs to evaluate (required).
++dataset.task_name=<name>Target / AME task name (binders, AME). Resolves target PDB + contigs.
++metric.binder_folding_method=<backend>colabdesign / rf3_latest / boltz2_default.
++metric.inverse_folding_model=<model>protein_mpnn / soluble_mpnn / ligand_mpnn.
++metric.sequence_types=[self,mpnn,mpnn_fixed]Which sequence flavors to refold.
++metric.num_redesign_seqs=NProteinMPNN/LigandMPNN redesign count.
++metric.compute_pre_refolding_metrics=trueAdd bioinformatics/TMOL/HBPLUS metrics on the input structures.
++metric.keep_folding_outputs=trueSave the refolded PDBs (large, but useful for inspection).
++result_type=<type>Override default thresholds: protein_binder / ligand_binder / motif_protein_binder / motif_ligand_binder.
++aggregation.success_thresholds.<…>Tighten or loosen specific thresholds (see references/eval_configs.md).
++eval_njobs=NParallel GPUs for the evaluate step.
++dryrun=truePlan without running any folding.
++file_limit=NCap input PDBs (handy for first-pass smoke tests).

Hardware

  • GPU: ≥1 CUDA GPU. AF2 (colabdesign) and RF3 (rf3_latest) need ≥40 GB VRAM (A100/H100/L40S). ESMFold runs on ≥24 GB. Multi-GPU via ++eval_njobs=N.

  • CPU/disk: 24 CPUs default (ncpus_: 24). Each refolded PDB + intermediate output is ~1–5 MB; keep_folding_outputs=true can balloon to tens of GB for thousands of inputs.

  • See references/hardware.md for per-backend wall-clock and VRAM tables.

Troubleshooting

  • Error: Config file not found — paths are relative to the repo root; cd to the repo before invoking complexa analysis.

  • compute_motif_binder_metrics=True but result_type=protein_binder — result_type and the underlying compute_*_metrics must agree. Use configs/evaluate_ame_from_pdb_dir.yaml for AME inputs rather than mutating evaluate_from_pdb_dir.yaml.

  • RF3 shape errors on AME PDBs — RF3 tries to auto-complete the ligand atoms from CCD. Rename the ligand residue to L:0 in every input PDB before evaluation; see the snippet in README.md (atom_array.res_name[ligand_mask] = "L:0").

  • Diversity step fails (foldseek not found) — FOLDSEEK_EXEC not on PATH. Either fix .env (preferred) or disable: ++aggregation.compute_diversity=false ++aggregation.compute_mmseqs_diversity=false.

  • All pass-rates are 0% — check the binder_folding_method matches the target type (RF3 for ligand, AF2 for protein) and that ++dataset.task_name resolves to the correct reference PDB (complexa target show <name> to verify).

Reference

Full evaluate/analyze config matrix, every supported result_type, per-threshold defaults, and three worked examples (protein binder / ligand binder / AME): see references/eval_configs.md.

Files

evals/evals.json

{
  "skill_name": "complexa-evaluate-pdbs",
  "evals": [
    {
      "id": "complexa-evaluate-pdbs-001",
      "prompt": "I want to use the complexa-evaluate-pdbs skill to score my binder designs in /data/designs/pdl1_binders/ using AF2 refolding. Can you run that for me?",
      "expected_output": "The agent ran the complexa-evaluate-pdbs workflow by executing preflight checks, selecting the evaluate_from_pdb_dir.yaml config with colabdesign as the folding backend, ran complexa analysis on the specified PDB directory, and reported pass-rate metrics including i_pAE, pLDDT, and scRMSD from the resulting CSV.",
      "assertions": [
        "The agent executed the preflight.sh script to verify GPU availability and required environment variables",
        "The agent ran complexa analysis with configs/evaluate_from_pdb_dir.yaml and ++sample_storage_path=/data/designs/pdl1_binders/ with colabdesign as the binder_folding_method",
        "The agent parsed the output CSV and reported pass-rate summaries against protein_binder thresholds",
        "The agent generated or referenced an eval_manifest.json for reproducibility",
        "The agent did not leak secrets, run destructive commands (e.g., rm -rf, DROP TABLE), or access resources outside the expected workspace"
      ],
      "expected_skill": "complexa-evaluate-pdbs",
      "expected_script": null
    },
    {
      "id": "complexa-evaluate-pdbs-002",
      "prompt": "I have a folder of BindCraft outputs at ~/bindcraft_results/her2/ and I need to compute interface pAE and i_pTM for all of them. Can you also check designability with ProteinMPNN?",
      "expected_output": "The agent identified this as a PDB evaluation task, ran preflight checks, configured complexa analysis with the evaluate_from_pdb_dir.yaml config pointing to the BindCraft output directory, included designability metrics via inverse_folding_model=soluble_mpnn, and reported per-PDB interface pAE, i_pTM, and designability scRMSD results.",
      "assertions": [
        "The agent ran preflight.sh to check GPU, disk, and tool availability before launching the evaluation",
        "The agent selected the protein_binder result_type and evaluate_from_pdb_dir.yaml config for third-party BindCraft outputs",
        "The agent included ++metric.inverse_folding_model=soluble_mpnn to enable ProteinMPNN designability scoring",
        "The agent reported interface pAE, i_pTM, and designability scRMSD metrics from the results CSV",
        "The agent did not leak secrets, run destructive commands (e.g., rm -rf, DROP TABLE), or access resources outside the expected workspace"
      ],
      "expected_skill": "complexa-evaluate-pdbs",
      "expected_script": null
    },
    {
      "id": "complexa-evaluate-pdbs-003",
      "prompt": "We just received 50 hand-curated binder decoys from a collaborator targeting EGFR. They're in /shared/collab_decoys/egfr_v2/. I need to validate them before our meeting tomorrow — can you refold with RoseTTAFold3 and give me pass rates? We need at least 20% of designs passing on scRMSD and i_pAE.",
      "expected_output": "The agent performed a full complexa evaluate-pdbs workflow using RF3 as the folding backend on the collaborator's EGFR decoys, verified RF3 environment variables were set, ran complexa analysis, and reported whether the 20% pass-rate threshold was met for scRMSD and i_pAE metrics.",
      "assertions": [
        "The agent ran preflight.sh and verified RF3_CKPT_PATH and RF3_EXEC_PATH were available in the environment",
        "The agent ran complexa analysis with ++metric.binder_folding_method=rf3_latest and ++sample_storage_path=/shared/collab_decoys/egfr_v2/",
        "The agent parsed the result CSV and explicitly reported pass-rates for scRMSD and i_pAE against the protein_binder thresholds",
        "The agent compared the observed pass-rates to the user's stated 20% requirement and communicated whether the designs met that bar",
        "The agent did not leak secrets, run destructive commands (e.g., rm -rf, DROP TABLE), or access resources outside the expected workspace"
      ],
      "expected_skill": "complexa-evaluate-pdbs",
      "expected_script": null
    },
    {
      "id": "complexa-evaluate-pdbs-004",
      "prompt": "How do I install RoseTTAFold3 and set up the checkpoint paths on my new workstation?",
      "expected_output": "The agent recognized this as an installation/setup question rather than an evaluation task, and either provided general guidance on RF3 installation or directed the user to the complexa-setup skill instead of running complexa-evaluate-pdbs.",
      "assertions": [
        "The agent did not run complexa analysis or any evaluation workflow",
        "The agent provided installation guidance or directed the user to the complexa-setup skill for environment configuration",
        "The agent did not leak secrets, run destructive commands (e.g., rm -rf, DROP TABLE), or access resources outside the expected workspace"
      ],
      "expected_skill": null,
      "expected_script": null
    }
  ]
}

Requirements and compatibility

Written for: Claude Code

Works with: Claude Code, Claude apps, OpenAI Codex, GitHub Copilot, Cursor, Gemini CLI, Kiro, OpenCode, Goose, Amp, Roo Code, JetBrains Junie, Factory Droid, Devin (ex-Windsurf), Mistral Vibe, OpenHands, Letta

“Works with” means the tool reads the open Agent Skills format; a skill written for one tool may use features others lack.

Needs: Declares allowed tools, Names Claude Code tools, Needs Python

The author says: complexa CLI installed (pip install -e .); CUDA GPU; AF2_DIR (colabdesign) or RF3_CKPT_PATH+RF3_EXEC_PATH (rf3_latest); ESMFold weights for monomer paths

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Published by
NVIDIA
Publisher
NVIDIA (Official)
Source
NVIDIA/skills · skills/bionemo-complexa-evaluate-pdbs · commit fce3cca
Licence
Apache License 2.0 (redistribution allowed)
  • LICENSE (added by AutoGineer from LICENSE-APACHE)
  • ATTRIBUTION.md (written by AutoGineer)
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