etabs

name

etabs

description

Router/orchestrator for working with CSI ETABS. Use whenever the user works with ETABS — building or scripting models through the OAPI (Python comtypes/ pythonnet, .NET, VBA), interpreting how ETABS applies a design code (AISC, ACI, Eurocode, CSA, AS, NZS, IS, NTC, BS, TS, KBC, SP), or understanding ETABS analysis/modeling behavior (element formulations, load cases, modal, auto seismic/wind, P-Delta). Also triggers on apeETABS (the Python wrapper being built in this repo), .edb files, SapModel, cOAPI/cSapModel, ETABSv1, "ETABS API". This skill points to the right specialized sub-skill.

ETABS

ETABS (CSI, Computers and Structures Inc.) is a structural analysis and design program for buildings. This repository (apeETABS) is building a Python wrapper around the ETABS Open API (OAPI), in the same spirit as apeGmsh.

The full vendor documentation set lives in reference/ at the repo root: the OAPI help (decompiled into the sub-skills), design-code manuals, the CSI Analysis Reference Manual, the Lateral Loads Manual, technical notes, and verification examples.

Pick the sub-skill

This is a hub. Route to the specialized skill that matches the task, read its SKILL.md, then act:

If the task is about…	Use skill	Lives at
Scripting/automating ETABS — connect, build a model, run analysis, pull results; writing or extending apeETABS; any SapModel.* / cOAPI / comtypes / pythonnet question	etabs-oapi	.claude/skills/etabs-oapi/
How ETABS performs design to a code (AISC 360, ACI 318, Eurocode, CSA, AS, NZS, IS, NTC, BS, TS, KBC, SP) — steel/concrete frame, composite beam/column, shear wall, slab, steel connection/joist	etabs-design	.claude/skills/etabs-design/
ETABS analysis & modeling theory — element formulations, load cases (modal, response spectrum, time history, nonlinear staged), auto lateral loads, P-Delta, diaphragms, meshing behavior	etabs-analysis	.claude/skills/etabs-analysis/

Many real tasks span two of these. Example: "script a code check of a steel frame" = etabs-oapi (how to drive SapModel.DesignSteel and read results)

• etabs-design (what the code clauses mean). Read both; lead with whichever the user is actually blocked on.

Fast routing heuristics

• Mentions code/symbols (SapModel, cFrameObj, AddByCoord, comtypes, pythonnet, .edb, RunAnalysis, Results.JointDispl) → etabs-oapi.
• Mentions a design code or design check / utilization / D-C ratio / overstrength → etabs-design (and etabs-oapi if it must be scripted).
• Asks why ETABS does X / formulation / convergence / load generation → etabs-analysis.

Related skills already on this system

Use these alongside the ETABS sub-skills when the work crosses tools:

• anthropic-skills:aisc-steel-design — AISC 360/341/358 first-principles steel design (pairs with etabs-design for steel).
• anthropic-skills:apegmsh-helper, anthropic-skills:opensees-expert, anthropic-skills:fem-mechanics-expert, anthropic-skills:quake-research — for FEM/OpenSees work this ETABS model may feed into or be compared against.