- name
- add-descriptor
- description
- Guides through adding a new descriptor type to deepmd-kit. Covers implementing in dpmodel (array-API-compatible), wrapping for JAX/pt_expt backends, hard-coding for PT/PD, registering arguments, and writing all required tests.
- license
- LGPL-3.0-or-later
- compatibility
- Requires Python 3.10+, numpy, pytest. Optional backends for full testing (torch, jax, paddle).
- metadata
- {"author":"deepmd-kit","version":"2.0"}
# Adding a New Descriptor to deepmd-kit
Follow these steps in order. Each step lists files to create/modify and patterns to follow.
## Step 1: Implement in dpmodel
**Create** `deepmd/dpmodel/descriptor/<name>.py`
Inherit from `NativeOP` and `BaseDescriptor`. Register with decorators:
```python
from deepmd.dpmodel import NativeOP
from .base_descriptor import BaseDescriptor
@BaseDescriptor.register("your_name")
@BaseDescriptor.register("alias_name") # optional aliases
class DescrptYourName(NativeOP, BaseDescriptor): ...
```
Key requirements:
- `__init__`: initialize cutoff, sel, networks, davg/dstd statistics
- `call(coord_ext, atype_ext, nlist, mapping=None)`: forward pass returning `(descriptor, rot_mat, g2, h2, sw)`
- `serialize() -> dict`: save with `@class`, `type`, `@version`, `@variables` keys
- `deserialize(cls, data)`: reconstruct from dict
- Property/getter methods: `get_rcut`, `get_sel`, `get_dim_out`, `mixed_types`, etc.
- `__getitem__`/`__setitem__` for `davg`/`dstd` access via multiple key aliases
All dpmodel code **must** use `array_api_compat` for cross-backend compatibility (numpy/torch/jax/paddle). See [references/dpmodel-implementation.md](references/dpmodel-implementation.md) for full method table, array API pitfalls, and utilities.
**Reference implementations**:
- Simple: `deepmd/dpmodel/descriptor/se_e2_a.py`
- Three-body: `deepmd/dpmodel/descriptor/se_t.py`
- Attention-based: `deepmd/dpmodel/descriptor/dpa1.py`
## Step 2: Register
**Edit** `deepmd/dpmodel/descriptor/__init__.py` — add import and `__all__` entry.
**Edit** `deepmd/utils/argcheck.py` — register descriptor arguments:
```python
@descrpt_args_plugin.register("your_name", alias=["alias"], doc="Description")
def descrpt_your_name_args() -> list[Argument]:
return [
Argument("sel", [list[int], str], optional=True, default="auto", doc=doc_sel),
Argument("rcut", float, optional=True, default=6.0, doc=doc_rcut),
Argument("rcut_smth", float, optional=True, default=0.5, doc=doc_rcut_smth),
Argument(
"neuron", list[int], optional=True, default=[10, 20, 40], doc=doc_neuron
),
# ... add all constructor parameters
]
```
## Step 3: Wrap for JAX backend
**Create** `deepmd/jax/descriptor/<name>.py`
Pattern: `@flax_module` decorator + custom `__setattr__` for attribute conversion.
```python
from deepmd.dpmodel.descriptor.your_name import DescrptYourName as DescrptYourNameDP
from deepmd.jax.common import ArrayAPIVariable, flax_module, to_jax_array
from deepmd.jax.descriptor.base_descriptor import BaseDescriptor
from deepmd.jax.utils.exclude_mask import PairExcludeMask
from deepmd.jax.utils.network import NetworkCollection
@BaseDescriptor.register("your_name")
@flax_module
class DescrptYourName(DescrptYourNameDP):
def __setattr__(self, name, value):
if name in {"davg", "dstd"}:
value = to_jax_array(value)
if value is not None:
value = ArrayAPIVariable(value)
elif name in {"embeddings"}:
if value is not None:
value = NetworkCollection.deserialize(value.serialize())
elif name == "env_mat":
pass # stateless
elif name == "emask":
value = PairExcludeMask(value.ntypes, value.exclude_types)
return super().__setattr__(name, value)
```
For nested sub-components, define wrapper classes bottom-up. See `deepmd/jax/descriptor/dpa1.py` for example.
**Edit** `deepmd/jax/descriptor/__init__.py` — add import and `__all__` entry.
## Step 4: Wrap for pt_expt backend
**Create** `deepmd/pt_expt/descriptor/<name>.py`
The `@torch_module` decorator handles everything automatically:
- Auto-generates `forward()` delegating to `call()` (and `forward_lower()` from `call_lower()`)
- Auto-generates `__setattr__` that converts numpy arrays to torch buffers and dpmodel objects to pt_expt modules via a converter registry
- Any unregistered `NativeOP` assigned as an attribute will raise `TypeError` — register it first
Simple descriptors (no custom sub-components) need only an empty body:
```python
from deepmd.dpmodel.descriptor.your_name import DescrptYourName as DescrptYourNameDP
from deepmd.pt_expt.common import torch_module
from deepmd.pt_expt.descriptor.base_descriptor import BaseDescriptor
@BaseDescriptor.register("your_name")
@torch_module
class DescrptYourName(DescrptYourNameDP):
pass
```
Standard dpmodel sub-components (`NetworkCollection`, `EmbeddingNet`, `PairExcludeMask`, `EnvMat`, `TypeEmbedNet`) are pre-registered in `deepmd/pt_expt/utils/` and converted automatically. No `__setattr__` override needed.
For **custom sub-components** (e.g., a new block class inheriting `NativeOP`), create a separate wrapper file and register bottom-up with `register_dpmodel_mapping`:
```python
# deepmd/pt_expt/descriptor/your_block.py
from deepmd.dpmodel.descriptor.your_block import YourBlock as YourBlockDP
from deepmd.pt_expt.common import register_dpmodel_mapping, torch_module
@torch_module
class YourBlock(YourBlockDP):
pass
register_dpmodel_mapping(
YourBlockDP,
lambda v: YourBlock.deserialize(v.serialize()),
)
```
Then import this module in `deepmd/pt_expt/descriptor/__init__.py` for its side effect (the registration must happen before the parent descriptor is instantiated).
Reference: `deepmd/pt_expt/descriptor/se_t_tebd.py` + `se_t_tebd_block.py`
**Edit** `deepmd/pt_expt/descriptor/__init__.py` — add import and `__all__` entry.
## Step 5: Hard-code for PT backend (if needed)
**Create** `deepmd/pt/model/descriptor/<name>.py`
PT descriptors are fully reimplemented in PyTorch (not wrapping dpmodel). They inherit from `BaseDescriptor` and `torch.nn.Module`. Must implement `forward()`, `serialize()`, `deserialize()`.
**Edit** `deepmd/pt/model/descriptor/__init__.py` — add import.
Reference: `deepmd/pt/model/descriptor/se_a.py`
## Step 6: Hard-code for TF backend (if needed)
**Create** `deepmd/tf/descriptor/<name>.py`
TF descriptors are fully reimplemented in TensorFlow. They inherit from `BaseDescriptor` and implement the TF computation graph.
**Edit** `deepmd/tf/descriptor/__init__.py` — add import.
Reference: `deepmd/tf/descriptor/se_a.py`
## Step 7: Hard-code for PD backend (if needed)
Same as PT but using Paddle. Inherit from `BaseDescriptor` and `paddle.nn.Layer`.
**Edit** `deepmd/pd/model/descriptor/__init__.py` — add import.
Reference: `deepmd/pd/model/descriptor/se_a.py`
## Step 8: Write tests
Eight test categories. See [references/test-patterns.md](references/test-patterns.md) for full code templates.
pt_expt tests use `pytest.mark.parametrize` (not `itertools.product`), do not inherit from `unittest.TestCase`, and use `setup_method` (not `setUp`).
| Test | File | Purpose |
| --------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------- |
| 8a. dpmodel | `source/tests/common/dpmodel/test_descriptor_<name>.py` | Serialize/deserialize round-trip |
| 8b. pt_expt | `source/tests/pt_expt/descriptor/test_<name>.py` | Consistency + exportable + make_fx (float64 only) |
| 8c. PT | `source/tests/pt/model/test_descriptor_<name>.py` | PT hard-coded tests (if applicable) |
| 8d. PD | `source/tests/pd/model/test_descriptor_<name>.py` | PD hard-coded tests (if applicable) |
| 8e. array_api_strict | `source/tests/array_api_strict/descriptor/<name>.py` | Wrapper for consistency tests |
| 8f. Universal dpmodel | `source/tests/universal/dpmodel/descriptor/test_descriptor.py` | Add parametrized entry |
| 8g. Universal PT | `source/tests/universal/pt/descriptor/test_descriptor.py` | Add parametrized entry |
| 8h. Consistency | `source/tests/consistent/descriptor/test_<name>.py` | Cross-backend + API consistency |
## Step 9: Write documentation
**Create** `doc/model/<name>.md`
Each descriptor needs a documentation page in `doc/model/`. Use MyST Markdown format with Sphinx extensions. List supported backends using icon substitutions.
Template:
````markdown
# Descriptor `"your_name"` {{ pytorch_icon }} {{ dpmodel_icon }}
:::{note}
**Supported backends**: PyTorch {{ pytorch_icon }}, DP {{ dpmodel_icon }}
:::
Brief description of what the descriptor is and its theoretical motivation.
## Theory
Mathematical formulation using LaTeX:
```math
\mathcal{D}^i = ...
```
## Instructions
Example JSON configuration:
```json
"descriptor": {
"type": "your_name",
"sel": [46, 92],
"rcut_smth": 0.50,
"rcut": 6.00,
"neuron": [10, 20, 40],
"resnet_dt": false,
"seed": 1
}
```
Explain key parameters and link to the argument schema using `{ref}` directives,
e.g. `{ref}rcut <model[standard]/descriptor[your_name]/rcut>`.
````
Available backend icons: `{{ tensorflow_icon }}`, `{{ pytorch_icon }}`, `{{ jax_icon }}`, `{{ paddle_icon }}`, `{{ dpmodel_icon }}`. Only list backends that actually support this descriptor.
**Edit** `doc/model/index.rst` — add the new page to the `toctree`:
```rst
.. toctree::
:maxdepth: 1
...
<name>
```
**Reference docs**: `doc/model/train-se-e2-r.md` (simple), `doc/model/dpa2.md` (modern)
## Verification
```bash
# dpmodel self-consistency
python -m pytest source/tests/common/dpmodel/test_descriptor_<name>.py -v
# pt_expt unit tests
python -m pytest source/tests/pt_expt/descriptor/test_<name>.py -v
# Cross-backend consistency
python -m pytest source/tests/consistent/descriptor/test_<name>.py -v
# PT/PD unit tests (if hard-coded)
python -m pytest source/tests/pt/model/test_descriptor_<name>.py -v
python -m pytest source/tests/pd/model/test_descriptor_<name>.py -v
# Quick smoke test
python -c "
from deepmd.dpmodel.descriptor import DescrptYourName
d = DescrptYourName(rcut=6.0, rcut_smth=1.8, sel=[20, 20])
d2 = DescrptYourName.deserialize(d.serialize())
print('Round-trip OK:', d.get_dim_out() == d2.get_dim_out())
"
```
## Files summary
| Step | Action | File |
| ---- | ------ | -------------------------------------------------------------- |
| 1 | Create | `deepmd/dpmodel/descriptor/<name>.py` |
View on GitHub