diffdock

Predict protein-ligand binding poses and confidence scores from PDB and SMILES inputs.

94|11|Updated Mar 26, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/swaruplab/operon --skill diffdock-swaruplab
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: diffdock
Source: https://github.com/swaruplab/operon/tree/main/src-tauri/protocols/diffdock
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/swaruplab/operon --skill diffdock-swaruplab

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

💡 This Skill requires pandas, rdkit, torch, esm, and includes scripts (resource) and references (resource) and assets (resource) components.

What problem does it solve?

DiffDock provides reliable predictions of protein-ligand binding poses along with per-pose confidence scores, enabling faster and more trustworthy structure-based drug design workflows.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • DiffDock predicts 3D binding poses and per-pose confidence scores for protein-ligand complexes.
  • Supports input as PDB structures or sequences (via ESMFold) and ligand descriptions as SMILES or structure files.
  • Supports single and batch docking, virtual screening, ensemble docking for protein flexibility, and downstream rescoring with other tools.
  • Suitable for pipelines combining pose generation with GNINA, MM/GBSA, or energy minimization for affinity estimation.
  • Includes GUI options and a rich reference/documentation in this repository for troubleshooting and advanced workflows.

Quick Start

Provide a protein structure (PDB) and a ligand (SMILES or file), then run the inference with the default config to generate docking poses and confidence scores.

Frequently Asked Questions about diffdock

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

FAQPage Schema
How do I predict protein-ligand binding poses from a PDB structure and SMILES string?

To predict protein-ligand binding poses, provide a protein PDB structure and ligand SMILES string as inputs. DiffDock uses diffusion models to generate 3D binding poses along with per-pose confidence scores for structure-based drug design.

Can I run molecular docking using only a protein sequence instead of a PDB file?

Yes, you can run molecular docking using a protein sequence by leveraging ESMFold within the workflow. DiffDock supports protein sequence inputs, folding them into structures to enable binding pose prediction without requiring a pre-existing PDB file.

What is the best way to account for protein flexibility during molecular docking?

The best way to account for protein flexibility during molecular docking is using ensemble docking. DiffDock supports ensemble docking across multiple protein conformations, allowing you to generate reliable binding poses for flexible targets.

Does DiffDock work with RDKit and PyTorch for virtual screening workflows?

Yes, DiffDock works with RDKit and PyTorch for virtual screening workflows. It supports batch docking and integrates with downstream rescoring tools like GNINA or MM/GBSA to refine affinity estimations from generated poses.

What are the limitations of using diffusion models for structure-based drug design?

A limitation of using diffusion models for structure-based drug design is that generated poses often require downstream validation. DiffDock provides confidence scores, but accurate affinity estimation typically requires additional rescoring with tools like GNINA or energy minimization.

How can I configure inference parameters for batch molecular docking?

You can configure inference parameters for batch molecular docking through YAML configurations. DiffDock allows you to adjust model inference settings, enabling efficient processing of multiple protein-ligand pairs for virtual screening workflows.