dummy-run

Validates model architecture compatibility on Ascend NPU using random weights without downloading real weights.

14|5|Updated Mar 30, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/Ascend/MindIE-SD --skill dummy-run-ascend
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: dummy-run
Source: https://github.com/Ascend/MindIE-SD/tree/main/.agents/skills/dummy-run
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/Ascend/MindIE-SD --skill dummy-run-ascend

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

💡 This Skill requires diffusers, transformers, modelscope, and includes references (resource) components.

What problem does it solve? Verifying whether a new model architecture can run on Ascend NPU normally requires downloading tens of gigabytes of real weights, which is slow and wasteful when you only need to confirm architectural compatibility, operator integration feasibility, or memory and latency estimates. ## Core Features & Use Cases - Random-Weight Construction: Build diffusers/transformers components (transformer, text encoder, VAE, tokenizer) from config files with random weights, assemble a pipeline, and run inference on NPU. - Footprint Reduction: Shrink models via num_layers trimming, disabling CFG, skipping VAE decode, and config caching to fit NPU memory and speed up verification. - Operator & Fusion Pre-Check: Test candidate NPU operators and compile-time fusion patterns on a small dummy graph before committing to real-weight integration, with mandatory compile-vs-eager dual reports. - Use Case: Before integrating a new fusion operator for MiniMax-H3, run a 2-layer dummy model to confirm the pattern hits the actual compiled graph, then only proceed to real-weight kernel diff and wall-clock verification if it does. ## Quick Start Ask the assistant to verify whether a specific model architecture can run on NPU using a dummy run with random weights and reduced layers.

Frequently Asked Questions about dummy-run

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

FAQPage Schema
How do I verify a model runs on NPU without real weights?

Load each component's config from diffusers or transformers, construct models with random weights, assemble the pipeline manually, and run inference on NPU. Tokenizers still need real vocabulary files, which are kilobyte-sized and downloadable offline via modelscope.

How to reduce NPU memory usage during a dummy run?

Trim transformer layers with num_layers=2, disable CFG by setting guidance_scale=1.0, skip VAE decode with output_type=latent, and separate warmup from timed runs. Layer trimming only works for models supporting dynamic layer counts.

Can I test fusion patterns before using real model weights?

Yes. Pattern matching depends on graph structure, not layer count or weights, so a 2-layer dummy model can confirm whether a compile-time fusion pattern hits the real graph. Benefit evaluation still requires real-weight kernel diff and wall-clock re-verification.

Why does Pipeline.from_config fail with AttributeError '__module__'?

This is a known tokenizer bug in Pipeline.from_config. The fix is to construct each component manually from its config and assemble the pipeline yourself instead of relying on the automatic from_config path.

Does dummy run timing predict real-weight performance?

No. Dummy run latency is dominated by reduced layer counts and only answers whether operators and patterns work correctly. Performance benefit evaluation must be done on real weights with profiling tools.