Skill267 repo starsupdated 18d ago
ros2-development
This Claude Code skill provides comprehensive guidance for developing Robot Operating System 2 (ROS2) applications in Python and C++. Use it when building ROS2 packages, nodes, and frameworks, configuring middleware and Quality of Service profiles, defining custom messages and services, implementing managed nodes, working with specialized frameworks like Nav2 and MoveIt2, debugging connectivity and build issues, or setting up production deployments and CI/CD pipelines for robotics systems.
Install in Claude Code
Copygit clone --depth 1 https://github.com/arpitg1304/robotics-agent-skills /tmp/ros2-development && cp -r /tmp/ros2-development/skills/ros2 ~/.claude/skills/ros2-developmentThen start a new Claude Code session; the skill loads automatically.
Definition
SKILL.md
# ROS2 Development Skill
## When to Use This Skill
- Building ROS2 packages, nodes, or component containers
- Setting up colcon workspaces, ament_cmake, or ament_python packages
- Writing CMakeLists.txt, package.xml, or setup.py for ROS2
- Defining custom messages, services, or actions
- Writing Python launch files with conditional logic
- Configuring DDS middleware and QoS profiles
- Implementing lifecycle (managed) nodes
- Working with Nav2, MoveIt2, or other ROS2 frameworks
- Debugging DDS discovery, QoS mismatches, or build failures
- Deploying ROS2 to production or embedded systems (micro-ROS)
- Setting up CI/CD for ROS2 packages
## Core Architecture
### 1. Node Design Patterns
**Basic Node (rclpy)**:
```python
#!/usr/bin/env python3
import rclpy
from rclpy.node import Node
from rclpy.qos import QoSProfile, ReliabilityPolicy, HistoryPolicy
from std_msgs.msg import String
class PerceptionNode(Node):
def __init__(self):
super().__init__('perception_node')
# 1. Declare parameters with types and descriptions
self.declare_parameter('rate_hz', 30.0,
descriptor=ParameterDescriptor(
description='Processing rate in Hz',
floating_point_range=[FloatingPointRange(
from_value=1.0, to_value=120.0, step=0.0
)]
))
self.declare_parameter('confidence_threshold', 0.7)
self.declare_parameter('frame_id', 'camera_link')
# 2. Read parameters
rate_hz = self.get_parameter('rate_hz').value
self.threshold = self.get_parameter('confidence_threshold').value
self.frame_id = self.get_parameter('frame_id').value
# 3. Set up QoS profiles
sensor_qos = QoSProfile(
reliability=ReliabilityPolicy.BEST_EFFORT,
history=HistoryPolicy.KEEP_LAST,
depth=1
)
reliable_qos = QoSProfile(
reliability=ReliabilityPolicy.RELIABLE,
history=HistoryPolicy.KEEP_LAST,
depth=10
)
# 4. Publishers first, then subscribers
self.det_pub = self.create_publisher(
DetectionArray, 'detections', reliable_qos)
self.image_sub = self.create_subscription(
Image, 'camera/image_raw', self.image_callback, sensor_qos)
# 5. Timers for periodic work
self.timer = self.create_timer(1.0 / rate_hz, self.timer_callback)
# 6. Parameter change callback
self.add_on_set_parameters_callback(self.param_callback)
self.get_logger().info(
f'Perception node started at {rate_hz}Hz, '
f'threshold={self.threshold}')
def param_callback(self, params):
"""Handle runtime parameter changes (replaces dynamic_reconfigure)"""
for param in params:
if param.name == 'confidence_threshold':
self.threshold = param.value
self.get_logger().info(f'Threshold updated to {param.value}')
return SetParametersResult(successful=True)
def image_callback(self, msg):
# Process incoming images
pass
def timer_callback(self):
# Periodic work
pass
def main(args=None):
rclpy.init(args=args)
node = PerceptionNode()
try:
rclpy.spin(node)
except KeyboardInterrupt:
pass
finally:
node.destroy_node()
rclpy.shutdown()
if __name__ == '__main__':
main()
```
**Basic Node (rclcpp)**:
```cpp
#include <rclcpp/rclcpp.hpp>
#include <sensor_msgs/msg/image.hpp>
#include <vision_msgs/msg/detection2_d.hpp>
#include <memory>
class PerceptionNode : public rclcpp::Node {
public:
PerceptionNode() : Node("perception_node") {
// Declare and get parameters
this->declare_parameter("rate_hz", 30.0);
this->declare_parameter("confidence_threshold", 0.7);
double rate_hz = this->get_parameter("rate_hz").as_double();
// QoS
auto sensor_qos = rclcpp::SensorDataQoS();
auto reliable_qos = rclcpp::QoS(10).reliable();
// Publishers and subscribers
det_pub_ = this->create_publisher<vision_msgs::msg::Detection2D>("detections", reliable_qos);
image_sub_ = this->create_subscription<sensor_msgs::msg::Image>(
"camera/image_raw", sensor_qos, [this](const std::shared_ptr<const sensor_msgs::msg::Image>& msg){
this->image_callback(msg);
});
timer_ = this->create_wall_timer(
std::chrono::milliseconds(static_cast<int>(1000.0 / rate_hz)),
[this](){ this->timer_callback(); });
RCLCPP_INFO(this->get_logger(), "Perception node started at %.1fHz", rate_hz);
}
private:
void image_callback(const std::shared_ptr<const sensor_msgs::msg::Image>& msg) {
// Use shared_ptr for zero-copy potential
}
void timer_callback() {}
rclcpp::Publisher<vision_msgs::msg::Detection2D>::SharedPtr det_pub_;
rclcpp::Subscription<sensor_msgs::msg::Image>::SharedPtr image_sub_;
rclcpp::TimerBase::SharedPtr timer_;
};
int main(int argc, char** argv) {
rclcpp::init(argc, argv);
rclcpp::spin(std::make_shared<PerceptionNode>());
rclcpp::shutdown();
return 0;
}
```
### 2. Lifecycle (Managed) Nodes
Use lifecycle nodes for production systems where you need deterministic startup, shutdown, and error recovery. This is one of ROS2's most important features over ROS1.
**State Machine**: `Unconfigured → Inactive → Active → Finalized`
```python
from rclpy.lifecycle import Node as LifecycleNode, TransitionCallbackReturn
class ManagedPerception(LifecycleNode):
def __init__(self):
super().__init__('managed_perception')
self.get_logger().info('Node created (unconfigured)')
def on_configure(self, state) -> TransitionCallbackReturn:
"""Load params, allocate memory, set up pubs/subs (but don't activate)"""
self.declare_parameter('model_path', '')
model_path = self.g