| name | benchos-buffer-calculator |
| description | Calculate BenchOS buffer recipes from preset or custom stock-solution inputs and export the resulting recipe. Use when the user wants a BenchOS CLI or agent-driven version of the Buffer Calculator tool. |
| license | Proprietary |
| compatibility | Requires BenchOS agent runtime with `labbook_cli`, `benchos-cli`, and the curated `python-basic` capability pack. |
| metadata | {"author":"benchos","version":"1"} |
| allowed-tools | labbook_cli |
BenchOS Buffer Calculator
Use this skill when the user wants to:
- calculate a BenchOS buffer recipe from the stock solution table
- start from a preset such as lysis, wash, elution, dialysis, storage, or complex buffer
- export a copyable recipe block and structured JSON summary into the BenchOS workspace
Browser Tool
BenchOS also exposes this workflow in the website Tools page as Buffer Calculator.
Use the browser tool for interactive editing; use this skill for repeatable CLI or agent runs.
Quick Rules
- Use
--preset for the standard BenchOS buffers when possible.
- Use repeated
--component "Stock Name|FinalConcentration|Unit" arguments for custom recipes.
- Keep outputs under
artifacts/buffers/<run-name>/ when possible.
Default Workflow
- Confirm whether the user wants a preset or a custom buffer.
- Install the capability pack:
{ "args": ["capabilities", "install", "--name", "python-basic"] }
- Run the shared script:
{
"args": [
"exec",
"--capability",
"python-basic",
"--cwd",
".",
"--",
"/opt/benchos/shared-skills/benchos-buffer-calculator/scripts/buffer_calculator_cli.py",
"--preset",
"lysis",
"--output-dir",
"artifacts/buffers/run-001",
"--json"
]
}
Custom example:
{
"args": [
"exec",
"--capability",
"python-basic",
"--cwd",
".",
"--",
"/opt/benchos/shared-skills/benchos-buffer-calculator/scripts/buffer_calculator_cli.py",
"--buffer-name",
"SEC Buffer",
"--final-volume",
"500",
"--volume-unit",
"mL",
"--component",
"HEPES-NaOH (pH 7.5)|20|mM",
"--component",
"NaCl|150|mM",
"--output-dir",
"artifacts/buffers/sec-buffer-001",
"--json"
]
}
- Read
buffer-recipe.json and report the stock volumes plus the water balance.
Outputs
buffer-recipe.json: structured result payload
buffer-recipe.txt: copyable recipe text
Notes
- Unsupported unit conversions are rejected explicitly instead of silently generating invalid recipes.