deeptools

Validate and process sequencing coverage files for normalization, QC, and visualization.

74|5|Updated Dec 10, 2025
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/dralkh/seerai --skill deeptools-dralkh
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: deeptools
Source: https://github.com/dralkh/seerai/tree/main/skills/deeptools
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/dralkh/seerai --skill deeptools-dralkh

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

💡 This Skill includes scripts (resource) and references (resource) and assets (resource) components.

What problem does it solve?

deepTools removes the manual complexity of turning BAM files into interpretable sequencing quality control and visualization outputs, making it easier to compare samples and inspect signal across genomic features.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Coverage generation: Create normalized bigWig or bedGraph tracks from BAM files with appropriate methods for ChIP-seq, RNA-seq, or ATAC-seq.
  • Quality control: Assess replicate similarity, library complexity, fragment size, and ChIP enrichment with correlation, PCA, coverage, and fingerprint plots.
  • Region-based visualization: Build matrices and produce heatmaps or profile plots around TSSs, gene bodies, peaks, and other genomic intervals.
  • Workflow assistance: Use helper scripts to validate BAM, bigWig, and BED inputs and generate reusable analysis templates.
  • Use case: A researcher can check ChIP-seq replicate quality, normalize coverage, and generate a TSS heatmap and profile plot for a publication figure in one workflow.

Quick Start

Use the deeptools skill to validate your BAM, bigWig, and BED files, then generate the appropriate ChIP-seq, RNA-seq, or ATAC-seq workflow for your dataset.

Frequently Asked Questions about deeptools

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I convert BAM to bigWig for ChIP-seq and ATAC-seq normalization?

BAM to bigWig conversion uses bamCoverage to generate normalized coverage tracks. You apply RPGC normalization with effective genome sizes and read filtering to create accurate bigWig files for ChIP-seq and ATAC-seq visualization.

Can I generate a TSS heatmap and profile plot from bigWig files?

You can generate TSS heatmaps and profile plots from bigWig files by building coverage matrices around transcription start sites. This region-based visualization produces publication-ready figures showing signal enrichment across genomic features.

What's the best way to assess ChIP-seq replicate quality and library complexity?

Assessing ChIP-seq replicate quality involves correlation plots, PCA, and fingerprint analysis to measure replicate similarity and library complexity. These QC steps inspect ChIP enrichment and fragment size across BAM file inputs.

Do I need indexed BAM files to perform RNA-seq QC and log2 sample comparison?

Indexed BAM files are required inputs for RNA-seq QC and log2 sample comparison. The workflow validates BAM, bigWig, and BED inputs before generating reusable analysis templates for reproducible command-line processing.

Why does my NGS coverage normalization fail without effective genome sizes?

NGS coverage normalization fails without effective genome sizes because RPGC normalization requires this parameter to calculate reads per genomic content. You must provide the correct effective genome size for your specific reference assembly during bigWig generation.

Does deepTools support RNA-seq, ChIP-seq, and ATAC-seq workflows in one analysis pipeline?

deepTools supports RNA-seq, ChIP-seq, and ATAC-seq workflows within a single pipeline. It applies appropriate normalization methods for each NGS assay type, enabling coverage generation, QC, and visualization across multiple sequencing workflows.