Opentrons Integration

Overview

Create production-minded Python Protocol API v2 protocols for Opentrons Flex and OT-2. This skill covers protocol structure, hardware and deck configuration, liquid handling, runtime customization, module control, simulation, and safe deployment.

The verified baseline as of 2026-10-01 is:

• opentrons==10.0.0 for reproducible Flex simulation.
• opentrons==9.0.0 for local OT-2 API 2.28 compatibility simulation.
• Flex supports API levels 2.15 through 2.30 on current software.
• OT-2 supports API levels 2.0 through 2.28 on current software.
• API 2.29 and later are Flex-only at this baseline. Keep OT-2 at 2.28 or lower.
• Bundled Flex templates retain API 2.29 because step grouping is their newest required feature. API 2.30 fixes start-only meniscus aspiration.
• The 10.0.0 library reports a local maximum of 2.31, ahead of the documented robot maximum 2.30. Do not infer robot support from that constant.

Read references/sources.md for the upstream documentation used for this snapshot. Recheck the official versioning page before targeting newer robot software.

Safety Boundary

Opentrons protocols control physical equipment. Never treat successful Python syntax or local simulation as permission to run on a robot.

Before live execution:

1. Simulate locally with the same pinned opentrons version used for authoring.
2. Import the protocol into the correct Opentrons App and require successful analysis.
3. Verify robot model, software, pipettes, mounts, modules, adapters, labware definitions, deck fixtures, tip count, source volumes, dead volumes, and destination capacity.
4. Review the run preview and deck map with the operator.
5. Perform a slow dry run with nonhazardous liquid when geometry, custom labware, partial tip pickup, or gripper moves are new.
6. Keep the emergency stop accessible and follow site-specific biosafety, chemical-safety, and contamination-control procedures.

Simulation cannot verify physical calibration, liquid properties, meniscus behavior, labware manufacturing tolerances, cap or seal removal, tubing, or all possible collisions.

Choose the Right Interface

Use this skill for Python files imported into the Opentrons App and run through the Protocol API.

• Use Protocol Designer for supported no-code workflows.
• Use PyLabRobot for a hardware-agnostic workflow spanning vendors.
• Treat the robot's HTTP API as a separate integration surface. If direct HTTP control is explicitly required, use the OpenAPI document served by the target robot and do not infer endpoints from Protocol API methods.

Required Intake

Do not write final protocol code until these facts are known:

• Robot: Flex or OT-2, plus installed robot software.
• Pipette model, volume range, channel count, and mount.
• Modules and generations; Flex Gripper or Stacker availability.
• Exact labware API load names and custom definition files, if any.
• Deck fixtures: Flex trash bin, waste chute, staging slots, or Stackers.
• Source volumes, destination volumes, dead volume, mixing needs, and liquid characteristics.
• Tip policy: contamination boundaries, reuse policy, filters, partial pickup, and total tips.
• Operator interventions, incubation timing, runtime parameters, and output files.
• Acceptance criteria: tolerated volume error, required controls, and dry-run plan.

If any physical configuration is uncertain, produce a parameterized draft and an explicit assumptions list rather than guessing.

Install and Simulate

Flex:

uv run --no-project --isolated --python 3.12 --with "opentrons==10.0.0" opentrons_simulate protocol.py

OT-2 API 2.28:

uv run --no-project --isolated --python 3.12 --with "opentrons==9.0.0" opentrons_simulate protocol.py

The 10.0.0 package rejects OT-2 protocols after the Flex/OT-2 release-line split. Always complete OT-2 analysis in the current OT-2 App.

For a dedicated Flex environment:

uv venv --python 3.12 .venv-opentrons
uv pip install --python .venv-opentrons/bin/python -r skills/opentrons-integration/requirements-flex.txt
.venv-opentrons/bin/opentrons_simulate protocol.py

Use requirements-ot2.txt instead for an OT-2 compatibility environment. On Windows, invoke the executable from .venv-opentrons\Scripts\opentrons_simulate.exe. Local simulation is for Python protocols; import Protocol Designer JSON files into the appropriate Opentrons App instead.

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