flowio

Parse FCS files to extract events as NumPy arrays and metadata.

16|7|Updated Nov 20, 2025
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/jackspace/ClaudeSkillz --skill flowio
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: flowio
Source: https://github.com/jackspace/ClaudeSkillz/tree/main/skills/scientific-pkg-flowio
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/jackspace/ClaudeSkillz --skill flowio

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

💡 This Skill includes references (resource) components.

What problem does it solve?

FlowIO provides lightweight tools to read and write Flow Cytometry Standard (FCS) files, extract event data as NumPy arrays, read rich TEXT metadata, and export to CSV. It streamlines cytometry data preprocessing and validation for backend pipelines and analysis notebooks.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Read FCS metadata and event data; access version, channels, and counts
  • Convert events to NumPy arrays and CSV for downstream analysis
  • Create new FCS files from arrays with customizable metadata
  • Handle multi-dataset FCS files and common preprocessing steps

Quick Start

  • Basic reading: from flowio import FlowData; flow = FlowData('sample.fcs'); events = flow.as_array()

Frequently Asked Questions about flowio

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

FAQPage Schema
How do I read and extract event data from FCS files?

FCS file parsing extracts event data as NumPy arrays and metadata from Flow Cytometry Standard files. Use FlowData to load an FCS file, then call as_array() to convert events into NumPy format for downstream analysis or CSV export.

Can I convert flow cytometry data from FCS to CSV format?

Yes. FCS files can be parsed to extract events and metadata, then converted to CSV for use in spreadsheets or data analysis tools. This enables integration with preprocessing workflows and statistical platforms that require tabular input.

What FCS file versions and formats are supported?

FCS versions 2.0 through 3.1 are supported, including single- and multi-dataset files. The parser handles metadata extraction, channel information, and event counts across standard and complex FCS structures used in modern cytometry pipelines.

How do I handle problematic or non-standard FCS files in batch processing?

The parser provides robust handling of problematic FCS files with memory-efficient metadata reading and null-channel exclusion. It enables reliable batch preprocessing without data loss, making it suitable for production backend data pipelines.

Can I create new FCS files with custom metadata and channel names?

Yes. You can write new FCS files from NumPy arrays with customizable metadata and descriptive channel names, enabling data validation, standardization, and creation of annotated output files for downstream cytometry workflows.

Do I need specialized software to parse and preprocess cytometry data?

FCS parsing can be done programmatically with lightweight tools that extract metadata and events without heavy dependencies. This approach suits backend pipelines and analysis notebooks where memory efficiency and automation are priorities.