| name | wattlab-energyplus-mcp |
| description | Use when driving LBNL EnergyPlus-MCP or energyplus-mcp-dev Docker for WattLab twins: ensure, inspect/validate/modify/simulate IDF, capability_status, eplusout.csv, -r. Triggers on: EnergyPlus-MCP, MCP tools, energyplus-ensure, mcp-exec, dial-loads, energyplus-mcp-dev, ready, eplusout.csv. |
EnergyPlus-MCP — wrench, not calibration coach
LBNL EnergyPlus-MCP (~35 tools) is strong for IDF surgery loops: load,
validate, zones/surfaces/schedules/loads, HVAC topology, outputs, simulate,
plots, diagnostics. It will not decide TMY vs AMY, G14, or which FDD finding
to trust — WattLab + docs/SPARSE_BUILDING_PLAYBOOK.md
own that judgment. For short/long fuel dial order (WWR / U / ACH → LPD/EPD →
banded SAT), see wattlab-twin-calibrate-dial
and docs/TWIN_DIAL_PLAYBOOK.md — MCP patches
the IDF; the playbook chooses which knobs.
DOE positions EnergyPlus as an engine third parties wrap. MCP is the access
layer; WattLab is the assumption + honesty framework.
Capability modes
from wattlab.energyplus.mcp import capability_status
print(capability_status())
| Mode | Meaning |
|---|
ready | Image + vendor — DinD sims and mcp-exec/dial-loads surgery |
image_missing | Vendor OK; run wattlab energyplus-ensure to build |
vendor_missing | Image OK; run ensure to clone under /data/third_party/EnergyPlus-MCP |
unavailable | No Docker / nothing present — ensure after sock + host workspace |
Required: agents call wattlab energyplus-ensure until capability == ready.
There is no supported “simulate only” soak path.
Campaign usage (required pattern)
- Ensure once:
wattlab energyplus-ensure
- Simulate via WattLab Docker (
wattlab easy-button / run_energyplus).
Default includes -r (ReadVars) → eplusout.csv for Twin 08 panes.
- Inspect/modify with MCP for every major IDF change: zones, meters,
people/lights/equipment, infiltration —
wattlab dial-loads or
wattlab mcp-exec -- ….
- Publish every successful sim:
publish_run_for_studio → runs/<id>/.
DinD / Studio
When Studio runs in Docker with host docker.sock:
- Annual sim: WattLab mounts stage dirs into
energyplus-mcp-dev
- MCP surgery:
mcp-exec mounts $WATTLAB_HOST_WORKSPACE→/data + vendor→/workspace
- Vendor lives on the shared workspace, not inside the vibe20 GHCR tip image
Cursor interactive MCP: see third_party/README.md / cursor_mcp_config_snippet().
