Claude Assistant

Lightfall includes an integrated Claude AI assistant that understands the application and can help with experiments, answer questions, and even control panels through natural language.

Getting Started

Opening the Claude Panel

The Claude panel is available from View > Panels > Claude or may already be in the default layout.

Configuration

The Claude assistant requires an API key:

  1. Go to Preferences > Claude Assistant

  2. Enter your Anthropic API key

  3. Optionally configure model selection and other settings

Alternatively, set the ANTHROPIC_API_KEY environment variable before launching Lightfall.

Using the Assistant

Basic Interaction

Type your message in the input area and press Enter to send. Claude responds in the chat area above.

Examples of what you can ask:

  • “How do I run a grid scan?”

  • “What detectors are available?”

  • “Show me the current motor positions”

  • “Help me understand this error message”

Natural Language Control

Claude can control Lightfall through integrated tools. Instead of navigating menus, you can ask Claude to perform actions:

Panel Management:

  • “Open the Devices panel”

  • “Show me the Bluesky panel”

  • “Close the logging panel”

Information Queries:

  • “What panels are available?”

  • “List the open panels”

  • “Show me information about the Bluesky panel”

Device Operations:

  • “What devices are connected?”

  • “Show the current position of motor X”

Capabilities

What Claude Can Do

Claude has access to tools that let it:

  1. Manage Panels: Open, close, activate, and query panel states

  2. Inspect Widgets: Examine UI components and their properties

  3. Query Devices: Access device information from the catalog

  4. Understand Plans: Explain available plans and their parameters

  5. Provide Help: Answer questions about Lightfall features and procedures

What Claude Cannot Do

For safety, some operations are restricted:

  • Claude cannot execute plans directly without user confirmation

  • Critical device operations require user approval

  • System configuration changes must be done through Preferences

Skills

Claude’s capabilities can be extended through skills. Skills are domain-specific knowledge and tools that Claude can use.

Viewing Available Skills

Go to Preferences > Claude Assistant to see available skills. Enabled skills appear in Claude’s system prompt and provide additional tools.

Using Skill Capabilities

When a skill is enabled, simply ask Claude about topics in that domain. For example, if a beamline-specific skill is enabled:

  • “Help me with the sample alignment procedure”

  • “What’s the correct energy range for this measurement?”

Example Conversations

Getting Help

You: How do I run a 2D scan?

Claude: To run a 2D scan (grid scan) in Lightfall:

1. Open the Bluesky panel from View > Panels > Bluesky
2. Search for "grid_scan" in the plan selector
3. Select the grid_scan plan
4. Configure the parameters:
   - Detectors: Select your detector(s)
   - Motor 1 and Motor 2: Choose the two motors for X and Y
   - Start/Stop for each motor: Define the scan range
   - Num points: Set the grid resolution
5. Click Run to start the scan

Would you like me to open the Bluesky panel for you?

Controlling Panels

You: Open the devices panel and show me what motors are available

Claude: I'll open the Devices panel for you.

[Claude opens the Devices panel]

The Devices panel is now open. Based on the device catalog,
here are the available motors:

- sample_x: Sample X translation
- sample_y: Sample Y translation
- sample_z: Sample Z translation
- theta: Sample rotation
- energy: Monochromator energy

Would you like details about any specific motor?

Understanding Errors

You: The scan stopped with an error. What happened?

Claude: Let me check the recent activity. Based on the logbook
and logging panel, the scan stopped because:

Error: Motor 'sample_x' soft limit reached at position 25.5mm

This means the requested scan range exceeded the motor's
configured soft limits. The current soft limits for sample_x
are 0mm to 25mm.

Options to resolve this:
1. Adjust your scan range to stay within 0-25mm
2. Contact your beamline scientist if the limits need adjustment

Would you like me to help you reconfigure the scan?

Tips for Effective Use

Be Specific

More specific questions get better answers:

  • Instead of “Run a scan”, try “Run a grid scan on sample_x and sample_y from -5 to 5”

  • Instead of “What’s wrong?”, try “Why did my last scan fail?”

Ask for Explanations

Claude can explain concepts and procedures:

  • “Explain what fly scans are and when to use them”

  • “What’s the difference between absolute and relative scans?”

Use for Learning

Claude is useful for learning Lightfall’s features:

  • “What can I do with the Logbook panel?”

  • “Show me all the keyboard shortcuts”

  • “What types of plans are available?”

Troubleshooting

Claude doesn’t respond

  • Check that the API key is configured correctly in Preferences

  • Verify network connectivity to the Anthropic API

  • Check the Logging panel for error messages

Claude can’t perform an action

Some actions require appropriate permissions. Ensure you’re logged in with sufficient privileges.

Responses are slow

  • Large conversations may slow down responses

  • Start a new conversation to clear history

  • Check network latency to the API server