track-generation
This skill generates normalized BigWig (.bw) tracks (and/or fold-change tracks) from BAM files for ATAC-seq and ChIP-seq visualization. It handles normalization (RPM or fold-change) and Tn5 offset correction automatically. What's more, this skill can help user visualize the signal profiles around TSS or target regions. Use this skill when you have filtered and generated the clean BAM file (e.g. `*.filtered.bam`).
Best use case
track-generation is best used when you need a repeatable AI agent workflow instead of a one-off prompt.
This skill generates normalized BigWig (.bw) tracks (and/or fold-change tracks) from BAM files for ATAC-seq and ChIP-seq visualization. It handles normalization (RPM or fold-change) and Tn5 offset correction automatically. What's more, this skill can help user visualize the signal profiles around TSS or target regions. Use this skill when you have filtered and generated the clean BAM file (e.g. `*.filtered.bam`).
Teams using track-generation should expect a more consistent output, faster repeated execution, less prompt rewriting.
When to use this skill
- You want a reusable workflow that can be run more than once with consistent structure.
When not to use this skill
- You only need a quick one-off answer and do not need a reusable workflow.
- You cannot install or maintain the underlying files, dependencies, or repository context.
Installation
Claude Code / Cursor / Codex
Manual Installation
- Download SKILL.md from GitHub
- Place it in
.claude/skills/6-track-generation/SKILL.mdinside your project - Restart your AI agent — it will auto-discover the skill
How track-generation Compares
| Feature / Agent | track-generation | Standard Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Platform Support | Not specified | Limited / Varies |
| Context Awareness | High | Baseline |
| Installation Complexity | Unknown | N/A |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does this skill do?
This skill generates normalized BigWig (.bw) tracks (and/or fold-change tracks) from BAM files for ATAC-seq and ChIP-seq visualization. It handles normalization (RPM or fold-change) and Tn5 offset correction automatically. What's more, this skill can help user visualize the signal profiles around TSS or target regions. Use this skill when you have filtered and generated the clean BAM file (e.g. `*.filtered.bam`).
Where can I find the source code?
You can find the source code on GitHub using the link provided at the top of the page.
SKILL.md Source
## Overview
This skill converts filtered BAM files into normalized signal tracks (BigWig) for genome browser visualization.
It supports both ATAC-seq and ChIP-seq datasets, automatically detecting genome assembly and chromosome size files.
Main steps include:
- Refer to the **Inputs & Outputs** section to check inputs and build the output architecture. All the output file should located in `${proj_dir}` in Step 0.
- Always use filtered BAM file (`*.filtered.bam`) if available.
- **Normalize all tracks** to 1 million mapped reads (RPM normalization).
- Generate the chrom.size file.
- **For ATAC-seq**, apply Tn5 offset correction (+4/−5) and generate normalized BigWig (RPM).
- **For ChIP-seq**, generat RPM-normalized track without applying Tn5 offset correction
- Always prompt user for whether need to visualize the signal profiles around TSS or target regions.
- Visualize the signal profiles around TSS or target regions if users require.
---
## Decision Tree
### Step 0: Initialize Project
Call:
- `mcp__project-init-tools__project_init`
with:
- `sample`: all
- `task`: track_generation
The tool will:
- Create `${sample}_track_generation` directory.
- Return the full path of the `${sample}_track_generation` directory, which will be used as `${proj_dir}`.
### Step 1: Generate Chromosome size file
Call:
- `mcp__bw-tools__generate_chrom_sizes`
with:
- `bam_file`: Path for the BAM file for generating bigWig Tracks
- `output_path`: ${proj_dir}/temp/${sample}.chrom.sizes
### Step 2: Calculate Scaling Factor
Call:
- `mcp__bw_tools__calculate_scaling_factor`
with:
`bam_file`: Path for the BAM file for generating bigWig Tracks
This step will store result as variable ${scale_factor}
### Step 3: Create RPM-normalized BigWig scaled to 1M mapped reads.
- (Option 1) For ATAC-seq data: Apply the standard Tn5 shift (+4/-5bp)
Call:
- `mcp__bw_tools__bam_to_bigwig`
with:
`bam_file`: ${bam_file}
`chrom_sizes`: ${proj_dir}/temp/${sample}.chrom.sizes (from Step 2)
`output_bw`: ${proj_dir}/tracks/${sample_name}.RPM.bw
`scale_factor`: ${scale_factor}
`shift_tn5`: True
`temp_dir`: ${proj_dir}/temp
- (Option 2) For ChIP-seq data:
**Do Not Apply the standard Tn5 shift by setting `shift_tn5` as False**
### Step 3: Visualize the signal profiles around TSS or target region (Optional)
Call:
- `mcp__bw_tools__visualize_signal_profile`
with:
`regions_bed`: GTF (for gene tss) or BED file (for target regions), always query user for this file if not provided.
`signal_files`: Input BigWig signal files.
`output_prefix`: Output prefix for matrix/plots.
`reference_point`: use `TSS` for genes, and `center` for target regions.
`upstream`: Upstream distance (bp).
`downstream`: Downstream distance (bp).Related Skills
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