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Start

AnthropicOfficialPublished by Anthropic

  • Skill
  • Workflow
  • Science and research
  • Apache-2.0
  • No issues found
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From the author

Set up your bio-research environment and explore available tools. Use when first getting oriented with the plugin, checking which literature, drug-discovery, or visualization MCP servers are connected, or surveying available analysis skills before starting a new project.
— the description by Anthropic

AutoGineer summary

Written by AutoGineer from the skill’s own files, not by the author

The start skill provides a structured onboarding process for researchers using the bio-research plugin. It verifies the connectivity of various MCP servers related to literature, drug discovery, and visualization, while providing a comprehensive overview of available analysis skills and optional binary installations. This workflow ensures the user is oriented and ready to begin their research tasks efficiently.

What it does

  • Displays a welcome message for the bio-research plugin.
  • Tests and reports the connectivity status of various literature, drug discovery, and visualization MCP servers.
  • Lists and summarizes available analysis skills, including scRNA-seq QC and pipeline management.
  • Provides instructions for optional binary MCP server installations.
  • Suggests common research workflows to help the user initiate their project.

When to use it

  • When first initializing the bio-research plugin environment.
  • To verify which research tools and data sources are currently connected.
  • When you need a summary of available analysis skills before starting a new project.
  • To troubleshoot missing or disconnected research tools.

Advantages

  • Ensures all necessary research tools are properly configured before starting work.
  • Provides a clear overview of the plugin's capabilities and available workflows.
  • Reduces setup friction by identifying missing connections early.
  • Guides users toward the most relevant tools based on their specific research goals.

Usage examples

“start”
The agent displays the welcome message, checks the status of all connected MCP servers, lists available analysis skills, and asks the user to define their current research goal.

Install

  1. Download the skill as a ZIP:

    https://mp-staging.autogineer.com/agent-skills/anthropics/start-tjwt/download

  2. Unzip it into the cross-client skills folder of your project:

    mkdir -p .agents/skills && unzip start.zip -d .agents/skills

Documentation by Anthropic

Bio-Research Start

If you see unfamiliar placeholders or need to check which tools are connected, see CONNECTORS.md.

You are helping a biological researcher get oriented with the bio-research plugin. Walk through the following steps in order.

Step 1: Welcome

Display this welcome message:

Bio-Research Plugin

Your AI-powered research assistant for the life sciences. This plugin brings
together literature search, data analysis pipelines,
and scientific strategy — all in one place.

Step 2: Check Available MCP Servers

Test which MCP servers are connected by listing available tools. Group the results:

Literature & Data Sources:

  • ~~literature database — biomedical literature search

  • ~~literature database — preprint access (biology and medicine)

  • ~~journal access — academic publications

  • ~~data repository — collaborative research data (Sage Bionetworks)

Drug Discovery & Clinical:

  • ~~chemical database — bioactive compound database

  • ~~drug target database — drug target discovery platform

  • ClinicalTrials.gov — clinical trial registry

  • ~~clinical data platform — clinical trial site ranking and platform help

Visualization & AI:

  • ~~scientific illustration — create scientific figures and diagrams

  • ~~AI research platform — AI for biology (histopathology, drug discovery)

Report which servers are connected and which are not yet set up.

Step 3: Survey Available Skills

List the analysis skills available in this plugin:

SkillWhat It Does
Single-Cell RNA QCQuality control for scRNA-seq data with MAD-based filtering
scvi-toolsDeep learning for single-cell omics (scVI, scANVI, totalVI, PeakVI, etc.)
Nextflow PipelinesRun nf-core pipelines (RNA-seq, WGS/WES, ATAC-seq)
Instrument Data ConverterConvert lab instrument output to Allotrope ASM format
Scientific Problem SelectionSystematic framework for choosing research problems

Step 4: Optional Setup — Binary MCP Servers

Mention that two additional MCP servers are available as separate installations:

These require downloading binary files and are optional.

Step 5: Ask How to Help

Ask the researcher what they're working on today. Suggest starting points based on common workflows:

  1. Literature review — "Search ~~literature database for recent papers on [topic]"

  2. Analyze sequencing data — "Run QC on my single-cell data" or "Set up an RNA-seq pipeline"

  3. Drug discovery — "Search ~~chemical database for compounds targeting [protein]" or "Find drug targets for [disease]"

  4. Data standardization — "Convert my instrument data to Allotrope format"

  5. Research strategy — "Help me evaluate a new project idea"

Wait for the user's response and guide them to the appropriate tools and skills.

Files

ATTRIBUTION.md

Attribution

This folder is an unmodified copy of the Agent Skill "start", distributed by AutoGineer (https://autogineer.com/agent-skills).

The skill's own files are unmodified copies. AutoGineer is not affiliated with or endorsed by the author or the publisher.

Files added by AutoGineer

  • ATTRIBUTION.md: this file, written by AutoGineer

  • LICENSE: copied from bio-research/LICENSE

Requirements and compatibility

Written for: Claude Code, Claude apps

Works with: Claude Code, Claude apps, OpenAI Codex, GitHub Copilot, Cursor, Gemini CLI, Kiro, OpenCode, Goose, Amp, Roo Code, JetBrains Junie, Factory Droid, Devin (ex-Windsurf), Mistral Vibe, OpenHands, Letta

“Works with” means the tool reads the open Agent Skills format; a skill written for one tool may use features others lack.

Needs: Needs an MCP server, Needs Node.js

Security

No issues found by our static scan· No issues found

A static scan is not a guarantee. Skills are third-party content: review a skill before you let an agent use it.

Attribution and licence

Published by
Anthropic
Publisher
Anthropic (Official)
Source
anthropics/knowledge-work-plugins · bio-research/skills/start · commit e050c2e
Licence
Apache License 2.0 (redistribution allowed)
  • LICENSE (added by AutoGineer from bio-research/LICENSE)
  • ATTRIBUTION.md (written by AutoGineer)
Synced

AutoGineer is not affiliated with or endorsed by Anthropic.

Download ZIP

The ZIP holds the skill’s files, its licence files and an ATTRIBUTION.md. Download start.zip