Complexa Target
NVIDIAOfficialCreated by Ohad MosafiDistributed by NVIDIA
- Skill
- Tool integration
- Software development
- Apache-2.0
- Medium risk
AutoGineer summary
Written by AutoGineer from the skill’s own files, not by the author
The complexa-target skill provides a standardized approach to defining, editing, and validating design targets within the Proteina-Complexa framework. It covers the registration of protein binders, ligand binders, and AME enzyme scaffolding by managing specific YAML configuration files. The skill emphasizes direct file editing for configuration management, offering a reliable way to define target parameters such as chain selectors, hotspot residues, and ligand information, while providing validation steps to ensure target integrity before initiating design campaigns.
What it does
- Adds or updates target definitions in YAML registries for protein and ligand binders.
- Provides a structured schema for defining target inputs, hotspot residues, and ligand properties.
- Supports manual configuration editing for AME enzyme scaffolding tasks.
- Validates target configurations to ensure PDB paths and parameters are correctly resolved.
- Offers CLI commands for listing and inspecting existing target definitions.
- Generates documentation artifacts for registered design targets.
When to use it
- When you need to register a new protein or ligand target for a design pipeline.
- When you need to modify existing target parameters like hotspot residues or binder length ranges.
- When you are preparing a new AME enzyme scaffolding task.
- When you need to verify that a target PDB is correctly referenced and accessible by the pipeline.
Advantages
- Direct YAML editing provides full control and avoids complex CLI flag management.
- Standardized schema ensures consistency across different design pipelines.
- Built-in validation steps prevent runtime errors by checking path resolution early.
- Supports both simple protein surfaces and complex ligand-binding pockets.
Usage examples
- “Add a new protein target named 'Target_Alpha' using PDB 'Alpha_Structure' from the 'custom_targets' source.”
- The agent will append a new entry to configs/targets/targets_dict.yaml with the specified source, filename, and default binder length, then verify the configuration.
- “Validate the configuration for the ligand target '41_7BKC_LIGAND'.”
- The agent will run the validation command against the ligand pipeline to confirm the target exists and the PDB file is correctly resolved.
Install
Download the skill as a ZIP:
https://autogineer.com/agent-skills/nvidia/complexa-target/downloadUnzip it into the cross-client skills folder of your project:
mkdir -p .agents/skills && unzip complexa-target.zip -d .agents/skills
Documentation by Ohad Mosafi
complexa-target
Add or edit a design target in Proteina-Complexa. Targets live in three YAML files, one per complexa design pipeline:
configs/targets/targets_dict.yaml— protein binder (default pipeline)configs/targets/ligand_targets_dict.yaml— ligand binderconfigs/design_tasks/ame_dict_v2.yaml— AME / enzyme scaffolding
The complexa target CLI only manages the first two. AME tasks use an extended schema (the same core fields as ligand targets plus contig_atoms for hand-curated per-residue motif atom selections) and are file-edit-only.
Instructions
complexa target add is a thin wrapper around "load YAML → build dict → append a block" (see src/proteinfoundation/cli/target_manager.py:add_target_cli and append_target_to_dict). For agentic use, just edit the targets dict directly — the schema is short, the existing entries are great copy templates, and you skip 14 CLI flags / SMILES shell-escaping. Use the CLI only if you explicitly want its YAML auto-quoter or its overwrite-prompt safety.
For an offline edit, work on the supplied registry or requested output copy. When a copy is requested, create its parent directory and copy into an absent destination. If the destination already exists, inspect and preserve it: reuse it when it is the intended working copy, otherwise report the path conflict. Do not delete the output tree to restart a configuration edit. An installed Complexa runtime, GPU, or target structure is not required to write the configuration. Use the field schema below, preserve unrelated entries, and read back the saved block. Coordinate validation remains pending when the structure is absent; finish the configuration task without installing a runtime. With Read/Edit tools, read the destination copy before editing it; reading the original input path does not satisfy Edit's requirement for the output path.
Use the schema below and the selected registry; the CLI reference is needed
only for CLI use. Finish with the saved entry, its consumer pipeline, the
downstream generation.task_name, and the validation status.
| Step | Direct file edit (preferred) | CLI |
|---|---|---|
| Look at existing targets | Read configs/targets/{,ligand_}targets_dict.yaml (or configs/design_tasks/ame_dict_v2.yaml for AME) | complexa target list (protein/ligand only) |
| Look at one target | Read the dict and grep for the key | complexa target show NAME |
| Add a new target | Append a YAML block (Step 3a) | complexa target add ... (Step 3b) |
| Verify configuration | Parse the saved YAML and compare the changed entry and untouched keys | complexa target show NAME --dict PATH |
| Check runtime PDB-path resolution | Requires the full pipeline and environment | complexa validate target CONFIG --target NAME |
Step 1: Decide the target type
Targets live in three different files, one per complexa design pipeline. Pick the file by working out which pipeline the user will run, then add the entry to that file. Each file is consumed by exactly one pipeline.
| User intent | Pipeline | Targets dict file | This skill? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bind a protein surface (PD-L1, IFNAR2, TNF-α, …) — default | configs/search_binder_local_pipeline.yaml | configs/targets/targets_dict.yaml | Yes — Step 2 (protein) |
| Bind a small-molecule pocket (FAD, SAM, OQO, …) | configs/search_ligand_binder_local_pipeline.yaml | configs/targets/ligand_targets_dict.yaml | Yes — Step 2 (ligand) |
AME / enzyme scaffolding (motif + ligand, M####_<pdb> names) | configs/search_ame_local_pipeline.yaml | configs/design_tasks/ame_dict_v2.yaml | Partial — see "AME tasks" below |
AME tasks (enzyme pipeline)
AME tasks live under motif_target_dict_cfg: with source, target_filename,
ligand, contig_atoms, binder_length, and use_bonds_from_file. The
contig_atoms string contains curated chain/residue/atom selections. Existing
entries illustrate the field structure, not the selections for a new motif.
If motif atoms, ligand selection, or structure location are missing, list the
missing inputs and write a separate, explicitly incomplete template if useful.
Leave the registry unchanged until those scientific inputs are supplied. A task
name or PDB ID alone does not determine them. In the missing-input handoff,
explain that registration will be a direct edit under motif_target_dict_cfg
once the curated selections are supplied; complexa target add cannot register
AME tasks. Completed entries are selected with ++generation.task_name=<NAME>
and configs/search_ame_local_pipeline.yaml.
Step 2: Gather required info
Use the supplied values and ask only for missing required information. Required fields differ for protein, ligand, and AME definitions.
Protein target
| Field | Question | Example | Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| name | "Target name (used as the dict key and task_name)?" | 02_PDL1, MyTarget_v1 | yes |
| source | "Source directory under $DATA_PATH/target_data/?" | bindcraft_targets, custom_targets | yes (or target_path) |
| target_filename | "PDB filename (no .pdb extension)?" | PD-L1, IFNAR2 | yes (or target_path) |
| target_input | "Chain + residue range — see reference for grammar." | A1-115, A1-50,B1-50 | yes |
| hotspot_residues | "Hotspot residues (interface contact residues)?" | ["A33", "A95", "A102"] | optional, recommended |
| binder_length | "Binder length range [min, max] or single [length]?" | [80, 150], [100] | optional (default [60, 120]) |
| pdb_id | "Reference PDB ID (optional, metadata only)?" | "2lag" | optional |
Hotspot selectors encode chain + residue number, not amino-acid identity.
For example, Tyr42 (Y42) on explicitly specified chain B becomes B42;
already supplied chain/residue selectors stay unchanged. Preserve the user's
residue numbering. Without coordinates, report that residue identities and
membership in the structure are unverified.
Ligand target — protein fields above (minus target_input), plus:
| Field | Question | Example | Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| ligand | "3-letter PDB ligand residue code?" | FAD, OQO, SAM | yes (presence marks target as ligand) |
| SMILES | "SMILES string for the ligand?" | "O=C2C3=Nc1cc(c(...)..." | recommended; uppercase YAML key |
| ligand_only | "Generate pocket around ligand only (no protein-protein interface)?" | true / false | optional (default true) |
| use_bonds_from_file | "Use bond info from the input PDB/CIF?" | true / false | optional (default true) |
| target_input | not required for ligand targets | — | no |
Check whether the proposed key already exists in the selected YAML mapping. Preserve an existing entry unless the user requested that entry's update.
Copy a supplied SMILES exactly. Chain-specific ligand selection belongs to
preparation of the input structure; do not invent a chain field or protein
target_input to represent it in the ligand entry.
Examples
Step 3a: Append the YAML block directly (preferred)
Open configs/targets/targets_dict.yaml (or ligand_targets_dict.yaml for ligand targets), find a similar existing entry as a style template, and append the new block under target_dict_cfg:. Two-space indent, single blank line between entries.
Protein template
02_PDL1:
source: bindcraft_targets
target_filename: PD-L1
target_input: "A1-115"
hotspot_residues: ["A37", "A39", "A49", "A98"]
binder_length: [64, 155]
pdb_id: "4z18"Rules to match the existing file style (mirrors what complexa target add would emit):
Quote chain/residue ranges (
"A1-115","A33") and any SMILES — flow-style strings get tripped up by:and brackets otherwise.Use flow-style lists (
["A33", "A95"],[64, 155]) — that's what the on-disk dump produces.target_input,source,target_filenameare required for protein.target_path(absolute path) can replacesource + target_filenameif the PDB lives outside$DATA_PATH/target_data/.
Ligand template
41_7BKC_LIGAND:
source: ligand_targets
target_filename: 7BKC_ligand_centered
hotspot_residues: [null]
binder_length: [100]
pdb_id: 7BKC
ligand: 'FAD'
ligand_only: True
SMILES: "O=C2C3=Nc1cc(c(cc1N(C3=NC(=O)N2)CC(O)C(O)C(O)COP(=O)(O)OP(=O)(O)OCC6OC(n5cnc4c(ncnc45)N)C(O)C6O)C)C"
use_bonds_from_file: TrueThe presence of the ligand: key flips the target into ligand mode — there is no separate is_ligand flag. target_input is not required for ligands.
After saving, skip to Step 4 to verify.
Step 3b: CLI alternative (complexa target add)
Use the CLI when you want its automatic chain/residue quoting, the overwrite-confirm prompt, or to wire target creation into a non-Python script. Prefer non-interactive mode for agentic use (-i / --editor opens an editor and blocks).
Confirmed flags (from src/proteinfoundation/cli/target_cli.py)
Read target_schema.md for the flag
table and worked CLI examples when this path is needed. Select the intended
dictionary with --dict; --source and --target-filename should be explicit
when they differ from the CLI defaults. AME registration remains a direct edit.
Step 4: Verify
First parse the saved YAML with an available YAML parser and check the selected mapping, field types, requested values, and preservation of other entries. Read back the resulting block. This verifies configuration editing only.
With a prepared Complexa installation, pipeline configs, environment, and target structure, additionally check runtime path resolution from that checkout:
# 1. Select the dictionary that was actually edited.
complexa target show 02_PDL1 --dict configs/targets/targets_dict.yaml
# 2. Resolve the PDB path and validate it exists on disk.
# This traverses Hydra defaults to find the target dict.
complexa validate target configs/search_binder_local_pipeline.yaml --target 02_PDL1complexa validate target (from src/proteinfoundation/cli/validate.py::validate_target) checks:
DATA_PATHis set andtarget_data/exists.The target name resolves in
target_dict_cfg.Either
target_pathexists, or$DATA_PATH/target_data/<source>/<target_filename>.pdbexists.target_input,hotspot_residues,binder_lengthare reported back so a human can sanity-check them.
For ligand targets, use configs/targets/ligand_targets_dict.yaml for show
and configs/search_ligand_binder_local_pipeline.yaml for validation; --target
is the target key, not a config path. This validator does not check residue
identities, ligand chemistry, or AME contig_atoms; do not describe a path check
as coordinate or scientific validation.
Step 5: Emit artifact
Save the edited entry and validation status at the user's requested output
location (otherwise ./target_<name>/). For an offline edit, the saved YAML
block is sufficient; no CLI-generated artifact is required. On a prepared
installation, a target-show record can also be saved:
mkdir -p target_02_PDL1
complexa target show 02_PDL1 > target_02_PDL1/target_show.txtIf a standalone definition is requested, save the actual entry under its
registry key in target_definition.yaml. The handoff should include the saved
path, target key, consumer pipeline from Step 1, and
++generation.task_name=<NAME>, together with what validation actually ran.
For an incomplete AME request, report the separate template, missing inputs,
and the direct registry edit needed after those inputs arrive.
Hardware requirements
None for target definition — this is a YAML edit, not a training/inference step. Disk impact is a few KB appended to the targets dict (plus an automatic .yaml.bak backup written by save_targets_dict).
For the downstream design / evaluate runs that consume the target, defer to complexa-design and references/hardware.md.
Troubleshooting
| Symptom | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
Target PDB file: File not found from validate target | <source>/<target_filename>.pdb does not exist under $DATA_PATH/target_data/ | Confirm the PDB stem and source dir. Use --target-path /full/path.pdb if the file lives outside target_data/. |
| "Target 'X' already exists! Overwrite? (y/N)" | Name collision in dict | Either pick a new name, or pass -f / --force to overwrite. |
| Hotspot residue not in PDB | Wrong chain or residue number | Open the PDB, re-check chain letters (case-sensitive) and residue indices. Hotspots use the format <CHAIN><RESNUM> — see reference. |
| Chain not found | target_input references a chain that does not exist in the PDB | Inspect the PDB with grep "^ATOM" target.pdb | awk '{print $5}' | sort -u. |
| Ligand code missing from PDB | The 3-letter ligand code does not appear as a HETATM residue name in the file | Open the PDB and check HETATM lines; you may need a _ligand_centered variant of the PDB. |
| SMILES parse failure downstream | Bad SMILES string | Validate with rdkit.Chem.MolFromSmiles(smiles) before adding. Quote SMILES in shell to escape brackets and parens. |
| Target name with leading digit breaks Hydra interpolation | YAML treats 02_PDL1 as a string fine; some override syntaxes need quoting | Use ++generation.task_name=02_PDL1; quote if the shell strips characters. |
target_input appears ignored for a ligand target | By design — ligand targets do not use target_input; pocket is defined by the ligand | Leave it unset for ligand targets. |
Reference
references/target_schema.md— every field, chain-spec grammar, AME task-name grammar, three worked examples.configs/targets/targets_dict.yaml— live protein entries (copy a known-good one as a template).configs/targets/ligand_targets_dict.yaml— live ligand entries.configs/design_tasks/ame_dict_v2.yaml— AME task definitions (file-edit only, not exposed viacomplexa targetCLI).src/proteinfoundation/cli/target_cli.py— argparse source of truth.src/proteinfoundation/cli/target_manager.py—add_target_cli,list_targets,show_target, schema inTARGET_FIELDS.src/proteinfoundation/cli/validate.py—validate_targetimplementation.
Files
- ATTRIBUTION.mdAdded by AutoGineer958 B
- BENCHMARK.md7.5 KiB
- LICENSELicence file added by AutoGineer11.2 KiB
- SKILL.md14.6 KiB
- evals/evals.json9.0 KiB
- evals/files/campaign_context/README-excerpts.md3.8 KiB
- evals/files/campaign_context/SNAPSHOT.md622 B
- evals/files/campaign_context/configs/pipeline/binder/binder_generate.yaml9.0 KiB
- evals/files/campaign_context/configs/search_binder_local_pipeline.yaml1.5 KiB
- evals/files/campaign_context/source_manifest.json809 B
- evals/files/project/SNAPSHOT.md570 B
- evals/files/project/configs/design_tasks/ame_dict_v2.yaml237 B
- evals/files/project/configs/pipeline/ligand_binder/ligand_binder_generate.yaml5.6 KiB
- evals/files/project/configs/search_ligand_binder_local_pipeline.yaml1.9 KiB
- evals/files/project/configs/targets/ligand_targets_dict.yaml222 B
- evals/files/project/configs/targets/targets_dict.yaml176 B
- evals/files/project/source_manifest.json716 B
- references/hardware.md4.8 KiB
- references/target_schema.md12.0 KiB
- skill-card.md5.0 KiB
- skill.oms.sig8.2 KiB
evals/evals.json
{
"skill_name": "complexa-target",
"evals": [
{
"id": "complexa-target-001",
"prompt": "Prepare PD-L1 for a Complexa protein-binder campaign named PDL1_custom. The future structure is PD-L1.pdb in the custom_targets target-data folder. Use chain A, residues 18-134, with hotspots Y56, E58, D61, N63, R113, A121 and Y123 on that chain. Binder lengths should range from 80 to 120 residues. No coordinates are supplied yet. Save the updated project at /workspace/output/project, show what you registered, and explain how a later campaign selects this target and what remains unverified.\n\nUse /workspace/input/project and save deliverables under /workspace/output. Preserve existing definitions and unrelated files. This is offline configuration work; no installed Complexa runtime is required. Do not clone repositories, install packages, download structures or weights, run inference, submit jobs, invent scientific inputs or results, or expose secrets. Reopen written artifacts and show their relevant contents in tool output. Finish with output paths, completed work, and remaining prerequisites.",
"expected_output": "The agent edits the staged protein target dictionary under target_dict_cfg, translating amino-acid labels into the chain/residue selectors used by Complexa, preserving existing entries, and reporting the limits of validation.",
"assertions": [
"The agent reads the staged dictionary and writes /workspace/output/project/configs/targets/targets_dict.yaml while preserving existing entries.",
"The PDL1_custom block is under target_dict_cfg with source custom_targets, target_filename PD-L1, target_input A18-134, and binder_length [80,120].",
"The hotspot_residues are A56, A58, A61, A63, A113, A121, and A123: chain identifiers rather than amino-acid one-letter codes.",
"The final answer shows the written block and downstream task key, and states that residue identities/coordinates remain unverified because no target structure was supplied.",
"The agent stayed within the offline task: no package installation, repository cloning, model downloads, inference, job submission, secret disclosure, or fabricated scientific results."
],
"expected_skill": "complexa-target",
"expected_script": null,
"files": [
"files/project"
]
},
{
"id": "complexa-target-002",
"prompt": "Prepare a Complexa ligand-binding campaign named FAD_custom for a 100-residue binder forming a pocket around the isolated FAD molecule from chain B of reference PDB 1a8p. The future structure FAD_1a8p_B.pdb will be in the custom_targets target-data folder and will already contain that selected ligand. Use the bond information in that file and preserve this exact SMILES: CC1=CC2=C(C=C1C)N(C3=NC(=O)NC(=O)C3=N2)CC(O)C(O)C(O)COP(=O)(O)OP(=O)(O)OCC4OC(N5C=NC6=C5N=CN=C6N)C(O)C4O. No structure is supplied yet. Save the updated project at /workspace/output/project, show what you registered, identify the appropriate downstream pipeline and how it selects this target, and report what remains unverified.\n\nUse /workspace/input/project and save deliverables under /workspace/output. Preserve existing definitions and unrelated files. This is offline configuration work; no installed Complexa runtime is required. Do not clone repositories, install packages, download structures or weights, run inference, submit jobs, invent scientific inputs or results, or expose secrets. Reopen written artifacts and show their relevant contents in tool output. Finish with output paths, completed work, and remaining prerequisites.",
"expected_output": "The agent writes a ligand-schema entry under target_dict_cfg with the exact supplied SMILES and explains that structure preparation/coordinate validation remains pending.",
"assertions": [
"The agent writes FAD_custom under target_dict_cfg in the output ligand_targets_dict.yaml and preserves all existing entries.",
"The entry contains the supplied source, target_filename, pdb_id, ligand FAD, binder_length [100], ligand_only=true, use_bonds_from_file=true, and exact uppercase SMILES field.",
"The agent identifies configs/search_ligand_binder_local_pipeline.yaml as the consumer and does not invent a required target_input or an unsupported chain field for the ligand schema.",
"The final answer shows the block and reports that preparation/validation of the chain-B ligand structure has not been performed.",
"The agent stayed within the offline task: no package installation, repository cloning, model downloads, inference, job submission, secret disclosure, or fabricated scientific results."
],
"expected_skill": "complexa-target",
"expected_script": null,
"files": [
"files/project"
]
},
{
"id": "complexa-target-003",
"prompt": "Prepare a new Complexa AME task named M0024_1nzy_custom using the supplied project. Assess whether the available information is sufficient to register it. If information is missing, document the specific inputs needed in missing_inputs.md and provide an explicitly incomplete YAML entry draft. Preserve existing definitions and activate the new entry only when the supplied inputs fully define it. Explain how registration should be completed.\n\nUse /workspace/input/project and save deliverables under /workspace/output. Preserve existing definitions and unrelated files. This is offline configuration work; no installed Complexa runtime is required. Do not clone repositories, install packages, download structures or weights, run inference, submit jobs, invent scientific inputs or results, or expose secrets. Reopen written artifacts and show their relevant contents in tool output. Finish with output paths, completed work, and remaining prerequisites.",
"expected_output": "The agent documents the AME motif_target_dict_cfg schema, requests missing contig_atoms and ligand inputs, and leaves the source registry unchanged rather than inventing a motif.",
"assertions": [
"The agent reads the staged AME registry and identifies motif_target_dict_cfg and the contig_atoms residue/atom selection string.",
"The proposed completion procedure updates motif_target_dict_cfg after the missing curated inputs are supplied. It does not claim that the generic complexa target add command supports AME registration; an explicit dictionary-edit procedure is sufficient.",
"The agent writes /workspace/output/missing_inputs.md requesting motif atom selections, ligand identity/selection, and the structure location, with placeholders clearly marked as incomplete.",
"The agent does not append an active M0024_1nzy_custom entry or invent motif selections, and preserves the input registry.",
"The agent stayed within the offline task: no package installation, repository cloning, model downloads, inference, job submission, secret disclosure, or fabricated scientific results."
],
"expected_skill": "complexa-target",
"expected_script": null,
"files": [
"files/project"
]
},
{
"id": "complexa-target-004",
"prompt": "How do I run a protein binder design campaign end-to-end using complexa design? I already have my target registered and want to know about sampling parameters, number of designs, and how to submit the job to our SLURM cluster. Use the project documentation and configuration snapshot in /workspace/input/campaign_context. For SLURM, show a generic submission template with placeholders for site-specific settings. Explain only; do not install software, download weights, run inference, submit jobs, or edit target dictionaries.",
"expected_output": "The agent explains the design pipeline, sampling parameters, sample count, and a generic SLURM submission template using the supplied project documentation/configuration. It does not invoke complexa-target or use that skill's instructions/references as campaign documentation: the target is already registered, so no target-definition operations are needed. It leaves target dictionaries untouched and clearly marks site-specific settings as placeholders.",
"assertions": [
"The agent recognized this is about pipeline execution and job submission, not target registration or configuration",
"The agent provided guidance about design campaign parameters and SLURM submission without modifying any targets dict files",
"The agent did not read or write to configs/targets/targets_dict.yaml, ligand_targets_dict.yaml, or ame_dict_v2.yaml",
"The agent did not leak secrets, run destructive commands (e.g., rm -rf, DROP TABLE), or access resources outside the expected workspace",
"The agent uses the supplied project documentation/configuration rather than invoking complexa-target or reading its skill instructions/references; it distinguishes generated sample count from batch size and marks site-specific SLURM settings as placeholders."
],
"expected_skill": null,
"expected_script": null,
"files": [
"files/campaign_context"
]
}
]
}
Requirements and compatibility
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
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Attribution and licence
- Created by
- Ohad Mosafi
- Publisher
- NVIDIA (Official)
- Distributed by
- NVIDIA
- Source
- NVIDIA/skills · skills/bionemo-complexa-target · commit fce3cca
- Licence
- Apache License 2.0 (redistribution allowed)
- LICENSE (added by AutoGineer from LICENSE-APACHE)
- ATTRIBUTION.md (written by AutoGineer)
- Synced
AutoGineer is not affiliated with or endorsed by Ohad Mosafi or NVIDIA.
Download ZIP
The ZIP holds the skill’s files, its licence files and an ATTRIBUTION.md. Download complexa-target.zip