Grasshopper Unified Analyzer

Automatically analyze Grasshopper XML definitions (.ghx) to understand workflow structure, extract custom C#/Python scripts, and generate comprehensive documentation suitable for porting to C#.

When to use this skill

Use this skill when the user:

• Asks to analyze a Grasshopper file or definition
• Wants to understand the structure of a .ghx file
• Needs to extract C# or Python scripts from Grasshopper components
• Requests documentation for a parametric workflow
• Mentions converting or porting Grasshopper logic to C#
• Needs algorithmic breakdown of a computational design script

What this skill does

1. Parses Grasshopper XML (.ghx/.xml format) without requiring Rhino/Grasshopper runtime
2. Builds workflow graph from components and connections
3. Identifies topology: start/end nodes, branching points, merge points, primary workflow paths
4. Extracts custom scripts: Full C# and Python code with input/output parameters
5. Detects dependencies: Libraries, Rhino.Geometry, RhinoCommon SDK references
6. Generates comprehensive report with:
   • Executive Summary (purpose and scope)
   • Workflow Summary (topology and primary flow)
   • Libraries & Dependencies
   • Custom Script Analysis (full code with I/O metadata)
   • Algorithmic Analysis (A-E format for C# developers)
   • Definition Summary (component counts, statistics)

How to use

Execute the unified analyzer script:

python ~/.claude/skills/grasshopper-analyzer/gh-unified-analyzer.py "path/to/file.ghx"

Arguments:

• Path to .ghx or .xml file (binary .gh files are NOT supported)

Example:

python ~/.claude/skills/grasshopper-analyzer/gh-unified-analyzer.py ~/Desktop/parametric-design.ghx

Output

The analyzer generates a comprehensive Markdown report:

• Location: <input-filename>-grasshopper-report.md (same directory as input)
• Format: Single structured Markdown document

Report Structure

1. Executive Summary - Purpose, scope, and component counts
2. Workflow Summary - Start/end nodes, branching, primary flow
3. Libraries and Dependencies - External assemblies and references
4. Key Grasshopper Components - Standard components used (grid, remap, etc.)
5. Custom Script Analysis - Full code listings with I/O parameters
6. Algorithmic Analysis (A-E format):
   • A. High-Level Algorithmic Summary
   • B. Core Algorithm Breakdown (input → processing → output)
   • C. Key Computational Components (purpose, algorithm, dependencies)
   • D. Data Flow Architecture (parameters and processing order)
   • E. Implementation Notes for C# Developer (dependencies, performance, edge cases)
7. Definition Summary - Statistics (component count, scripts, libraries, paths)

Requirements

• Python: 3.6+
• Dependencies: Standard library only (xml.etree.ElementTree, os, sys, re)
• Platform: Windows/macOS/Linux
• File Format: .ghx (XML) or .xml only - binary .gh must be saved as .ghx first

Important notes

• The analyzer processes files in-memory without modifying the original
• Report is deterministic and suitable for version control
• Custom components beyond standard scripts are treated generically
• Flow diagrams are analyzed but not embedded (topology shown as text)
• Perfect for understanding existing definitions or preparing for C# migration
• The algorithmic analysis (A-E format) is specifically structured for C# developers