# Robot Bringup

> >

- **Type:** Skill
- **Install:** `agentstack add skill-arpitg1304-robotics-agent-skills-robot-bringup`
- **Verified:** Yes — security-reviewed for prompt injection and unsafe behavior
- **Seller:** [arpitg1304](https://agentstack.voostack.com/s/arpitg1304)
- **Installs:** 0
- **Category:** [Agent Skills](https://agentstack.voostack.com/c/agent-skills)
- **Latest version:** 0.1.0
- **License:** Apache-2.0
- **Upstream author:** [arpitg1304](https://github.com/arpitg1304)
- **Source:** https://github.com/arpitg1304/robotics-agent-skills/tree/main/skills/robot-bringup

## Install

```sh
agentstack add skill-arpitg1304-robotics-agent-skills-robot-bringup
```

Requires the [AgentStack CLI](https://agentstack.voostack.com/docs/cli). Works with Claude Code, Cursor, and any MCP-compatible agent.

## About

# Robot Bringup Skill

## When to Use This Skill

- Configuring a robot to automatically start its full ROS2 stack on boot via systemd
- Writing systemd unit files that correctly source ROS2 workspaces and set DDS environment
- Composing layered launch files (hardware, drivers, perception, application) into a single bringup
- Setting up ordered startup with health checks to avoid race conditions between dependent nodes
- Writing udev rules for deterministic device naming of cameras, LiDARs, and serial devices
- Configuring CycloneDDS or FastDDS for multi-machine ROS2 discovery across robot and base station
- Implementing watchdog and heartbeat monitoring for production robot systems
- Setting up log rotation and structured logging for long-running robot deployments
- Writing graceful shutdown handlers that bring actuators to a safe state before exit
- Debugging boot-time failures, service ordering issues, or device enumeration races

## The Robot Bringup Stack

A production robot bringup follows a layered startup sequence from hardware initialization through application-level nodes. Each layer depends on the one below it.

```
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                        APPLICATION LAYER                            │
│  Navigation, manipulation, mission planning, HRI                    │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│                        PERCEPTION LAYER                             │
│  Object detection, SLAM, point cloud filtering, sensor fusion       │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│                         DRIVER LAYER                                │
│  Camera drivers, LiDAR drivers, motor controllers, IMU              │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│                        HARDWARE LAYER                               │
│  udev rules, device enumeration, USB reset, firmware check          │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│                      ROS2 ENVIRONMENT                               │
│  Source workspace, set RMW, ROS_DOMAIN_ID, DDS config               │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│                    SYSTEMD TARGETS & SERVICES                       │
│  network-online.target → robot-hw.target → robot-bringup.target     │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│                      LINUX BOOT (systemd)                           │
│  BIOS/UEFI → GRUB → kernel → systemd init                          │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│                         HARDWARE BOOT                               │
│  Power supply, onboard computer, peripherals                        │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
```

## systemd Service Units for ROS2

### Basic ROS2 Service Unit

Place service files in `/etc/systemd/system/`. This template starts a ROS2 launch file as a long-running service with watchdog support.

```ini
# /etc/systemd/system/robot-bringup.service
[Unit]
Description=Robot ROS2 Bringup Stack
Documentation=https://github.com/my-org/my-robot
After=network-online.target robot-hw.target
Wants=network-online.target
Requires=robot-hw.target

[Service]
Type=notify
User=robot
Group=robot
WorkingDirectory=/home/robot

# Load ROS2 environment variables from a dedicated env file
EnvironmentFile=/etc/robot/ros2.env

# Pre-start check: verify critical devices exist
ExecStartPre=/usr/local/bin/robot-device-check.sh

# Start the ROS2 launch file via bash so we can source the workspace
ExecStart=/bin/bash -c '\
  source /opt/ros/${ROS_DISTRO}/setup.bash && \
  source /home/robot/ros2_ws/install/setup.bash && \
  exec ros2 launch my_robot_bringup bringup.launch.py'

# Graceful shutdown: send SIGINT first (Ctrl+C equivalent for ROS2)
ExecStop=/bin/kill -INT $MAINPID
TimeoutStopSec=30

# Restart on failure, but not on clean exit
Restart=on-failure
RestartSec=5

# systemd watchdog: service must call sd_notify(WATCHDOG=1) within this interval
WatchdogSec=30

# Process management
KillMode=mixed
KillSignal=SIGINT
FinalKillSignal=SIGKILL
TimeoutStartSec=60

# Logging
StandardOutput=journal
StandardError=journal
SyslogIdentifier=robot-bringup

[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target
```

### Environment Setup in systemd

Store environment variables in a dedicated file rather than sourcing .bashrc (which is not loaded by systemd).

```bash
# /etc/robot/ros2.env
# ROS2 distribution
ROS_DISTRO=humble

# DDS middleware selection
RMW_IMPLEMENTATION=rmw_cyclonedds_cpp

# Domain isolation: unique per robot to avoid cross-talk
ROS_DOMAIN_ID=42

# CycloneDDS configuration file path
CYCLONEDDS_URI=file:///etc/robot/cyclonedds.xml

# Disable localhost-only mode for multi-machine setups
ROS_LOCALHOST_ONLY=0

# Logging configuration
ROS_LOG_DIR=/var/log/ros2
RCUTILS_LOGGING_USE_STDOUT=0
RCUTILS_COLORIZED_OUTPUT=0

# Robot-specific configuration
ROBOT_NAME=my_robot_01
ROBOT_CONFIG_DIR=/etc/robot/config
```

### Dependencies Between Services

Split the robot stack into multiple systemd services with explicit ordering. This allows independent restart of layers and clearer failure isolation.

```ini
# /etc/systemd/system/robot-drivers.service
[Unit]
Description=Robot Hardware Drivers (cameras, LiDAR, IMU, motors)
After=network-online.target robot-hw.target
Wants=network-online.target
Requires=robot-hw.target

[Service]
Type=notify
User=robot
EnvironmentFile=/etc/robot/ros2.env
ExecStart=/bin/bash -c '\
  source /opt/ros/${ROS_DISTRO}/setup.bash && \
  source /home/robot/ros2_ws/install/setup.bash && \
  exec ros2 launch my_robot_bringup drivers.launch.py'
Restart=on-failure
RestartSec=5
WatchdogSec=30
KillMode=mixed
KillSignal=SIGINT
TimeoutStopSec=20
StandardOutput=journal
SyslogIdentifier=robot-drivers

[Install]
WantedBy=robot-bringup.target
```

```ini
# /etc/systemd/system/robot-perception.service
[Unit]
Description=Robot Perception Stack (SLAM, detection, sensor fusion)
After=robot-drivers.service
Requires=robot-drivers.service
PartOf=robot-drivers.service

[Service]
Type=notify
User=robot
EnvironmentFile=/etc/robot/ros2.env
ExecStart=/bin/bash -c '\
  source /opt/ros/${ROS_DISTRO}/setup.bash && \
  source /home/robot/ros2_ws/install/setup.bash && \
  exec ros2 launch my_robot_bringup perception.launch.py'
Restart=on-failure
RestartSec=5
WatchdogSec=30
KillMode=mixed
KillSignal=SIGINT
TimeoutStopSec=20
StandardOutput=journal
SyslogIdentifier=robot-perception

[Install]
WantedBy=robot-bringup.target
```

```ini
# /etc/systemd/system/robot-application.service
[Unit]
Description=Robot Application Layer (navigation, planning, HRI)
After=robot-perception.service
Requires=robot-perception.service
PartOf=robot-perception.service

[Service]
Type=notify
User=robot
EnvironmentFile=/etc/robot/ros2.env
ExecStart=/bin/bash -c '\
  source /opt/ros/${ROS_DISTRO}/setup.bash && \
  source /home/robot/ros2_ws/install/setup.bash && \
  exec ros2 launch my_robot_bringup application.launch.py'
Restart=on-failure
RestartSec=10
WatchdogSec=30
KillMode=mixed
KillSignal=SIGINT
TimeoutStopSec=20
StandardOutput=journal
SyslogIdentifier=robot-application

[Install]
WantedBy=robot-bringup.target
```

### Restart Policies and Failure Recovery

Configure rate limiting to prevent restart loops when a service is fundamentally broken (e.g., missing device, configuration error).

```ini
# Add to the [Service] section of any robot service
Restart=on-failure
RestartSec=5

# Allow at most 5 restart attempts within 120 seconds
StartLimitIntervalSec=120
StartLimitBurst=5

# Ramp up restart delay to avoid thrashing
# RestartSec can also be set dynamically via drop-in overrides:
#   RestartSec=5   (first few retries, fast recovery)
#   After StartLimitBurst is hit, the unit enters failed state
#   Use systemctl reset-failed robot-drivers.service to retry

# On final failure, trigger an alert
OnFailure=robot-alert@%n.service
```

### Resource Limits and cgroups

Constrain resource usage to prevent a runaway node from starving the rest of the system.

```ini
# Add to the [Service] section
# Limit memory to 2 GB (hard kill at 2.5 GB)
MemoryMax=2G
MemoryHigh=1800M

# Limit CPU to 300% (3 cores on a multi-core system)
CPUQuota=300%

# Set real-time scheduling priority for time-critical drivers
# Requires the user to have rtprio permissions in /etc/security/limits.d/
Nice=-5
IOSchedulingClass=realtime
IOSchedulingPriority=0

# Restrict filesystem access
ProtectHome=read-only
ProtectSystem=strict
ReadWritePaths=/var/log/ros2 /tmp
PrivateTmp=true
```

## Launch File Composition and Layering

### Launch Layer Architecture

Organize launch files into layers that mirror the systemd service architecture. Each layer is an independent launch file that can be tested in isolation.

```
bringup.launch.py  (top-level: composes all layers)
├── hardware.launch.py     (udev checks, device readiness)
├── drivers.launch.py      (camera, LiDAR, IMU, motor drivers)
│   ├── camera.launch.py
│   ├── lidar.launch.py
│   └── motors.launch.py
├── perception.launch.py   (SLAM, detection, fusion)
│   ├── slam.launch.py
│   └── detection.launch.py
└── application.launch.py  (navigation, planning, HRI)
    ├── navigation.launch.py
    └── mission.launch.py
```

### Hardware Layer Launch

```python
# my_robot_bringup/launch/hardware.launch.py
from launch import LaunchDescription
from launch.actions import LogInfo, ExecuteProcess, TimerAction
from launch.conditions import IfCondition
from launch.substitutions import LaunchConfiguration, EnvironmentVariable

def generate_launch_description():
    # Declare arguments for hardware configuration
    robot_name = LaunchConfiguration('robot_name',
        default=EnvironmentVariable('ROBOT_NAME', default_value='default_robot'))

    # Check that critical devices are present
    check_camera = ExecuteProcess(
        cmd=['test', '-e', '/dev/robot/camera_front'],
        name='check_camera_front',
        output='screen',
    )

    check_lidar = ExecuteProcess(
        cmd=['test', '-e', '/dev/robot/lidar'],
        name='check_lidar',
        output='screen',
    )

    check_imu = ExecuteProcess(
        cmd=['test', '-e', '/dev/robot/imu'],
        name='check_imu',
        output='screen',
    )

    log_ready = TimerAction(
        period=2.0,
        actions=[LogInfo(msg='Hardware checks passed, devices ready')],
    )

    return LaunchDescription([
        check_camera,
        check_lidar,
        check_imu,
        log_ready,
    ])
```

### Driver Layer Launch

```python
# my_robot_bringup/launch/drivers.launch.py
from launch import LaunchDescription
from launch.actions import DeclareLaunchArgument, IncludeLaunchDescription, GroupAction
from launch.launch_description_sources import PythonLaunchDescriptionSource
from launch.substitutions import LaunchConfiguration, PathJoinSubstitution
from launch_ros.actions import Node, SetRemap
from launch_ros.substitutions import FindPackageShare

def generate_launch_description():
    use_sim = LaunchConfiguration('use_sim', default='false')
    camera_config = LaunchConfiguration('camera_config', default='default')

    # Camera driver
    camera_node = Node(
        package='usb_cam',
        executable='usb_cam_node_exe',
        name='camera_front',
        parameters=[PathJoinSubstitution([
            FindPackageShare('my_robot_bringup'), 'config', 'camera_front.yaml'
        ])],
        remappings=[('/image_raw', '/camera/front/image_raw')],
    )

    # LiDAR driver
    lidar_node = Node(
        package='sllidar_ros2',
        executable='sllidar_node',
        name='lidar',
        parameters=[{
            'serial_port': '/dev/robot/lidar',
            'serial_baudrate': 460800,
            'frame_id': 'lidar_link',
            'angle_compensate': True,
        }],
    )

    # IMU driver
    imu_node = Node(
        package='imu_driver',
        executable='imu_node',
        name='imu',
        parameters=[{
            'port': '/dev/robot/imu',
            'frame_id': 'imu_link',
            'publish_rate': 100.0,
        }],
    )

    # Motor controller driver
    motor_node = Node(
        package='motor_driver',
        executable='motor_controller_node',
        name='motor_controller',
        parameters=[PathJoinSubstitution([
            FindPackageShare('my_robot_bringup'), 'config', 'motors.yaml'
        ])],
    )

    return LaunchDescription([
        DeclareLaunchArgument('use_sim', default_value='false'),
        DeclareLaunchArgument('camera_config', default_value='default'),
        camera_node,
        lidar_node,
        imu_node,
        motor_node,
    ])
```

### Perception Layer Launch

```python
# my_robot_bringup/launch/perception.launch.py
from launch import LaunchDescription
from launch.actions import DeclareLaunchArgument, GroupAction
from launch.conditions import IfCondition
from launch.substitutions import LaunchConfiguration, PathJoinSubstitution
from launch_ros.actions import Node, ComposableNodeContainer, LoadComposableNode
from launch_ros.descriptions import ComposableNode
from launch_ros.substitutions import FindPackageShare

def generate_launch_description():
    enable_slam = LaunchConfiguration('enable_slam', default='true')
    enable_detection = LaunchConfiguration('enable_detection', default='true')

    # Use a composable node container for zero-copy perception pipeline
    perception_container = ComposableNodeContainer(
        name='perception_container',
        namespace='',
        package='rclcpp_components',
        executable='component_container_mt',
        composable_node_descriptions=[
            ComposableNode(
                package='image_proc',
                plugin='image_proc::RectifyNode',
                name='rectify',
                remappings=[('image', '/camera/front/image_raw')],
            ),
            ComposableNode(
                package='my_detection',
                plugin='my_detection::DetectorNode',
                name='detector',
                parameters=[PathJoinSubstitution([
                    FindPackageShare('my_robot_bringup'), 'config', 'detector.yaml'
                ])],
            ),
        ],
        condition=IfCondition(enable_detection),
    )

    # SLAM node
    slam_node = Node(
        package='slam_toolbox',
        executable='async_slam_toolbox_node',
        name='slam',
        parameters=[PathJoinSubstitution([
            FindPackageShare('my_robot_bringup'), 'config', 'slam.yaml'
        ])],
        condition=IfCondition(enable_slam),
    )

    return LaunchDescription([
        DeclareLaunchArgument('enable_slam', default_value='true'),
        DeclareLaunchArgument('enable_detection', default_value='true'),
        perception_container,
        slam_node,
    ])
```

### Application Layer Launch

```python
# my_robot_bringup/launch/application.launch.py
from launch import LaunchDescription
from launch.actions import DeclareLaunchArgument, IncludeLaunchDescription
from launch.launch_description_sources import PythonLaunchDescriptionSource
from launch.substitutions import LaunchConfiguration, PathJoinSubstitution
from launch_ros.actions import Node
from launch_ros.substitutions import FindPackageShare

def generate_launch_description():
    nav_params = LaunchConfiguration('nav_params', default=PathJoinSubstitution([
        FindPackageShare('my_robot_bringup'), 'config', 'nav2_params.yaml'
    ]))

    # Include Nav2 bringup
    nav2_bringup = IncludeLaunchDescription(
        PythonLaunchDescriptionSource(PathJoinSubstitution([
            FindPackageShare('nav2_bringup'), 'launch', 'bringup_launch.py'
        ])),
        launch_arguments={
            'params_file': nav_params,
            'use_sim_time': LaunchConfiguration('use_sim', default='false'),
        }.items(),
    )

…

## Source & license

This open-source skill is cataloged on AgentStack and links to its original source — we do not rehost the code.

- **Author:** [arpitg1304](https://github.com/arpitg1304)
- **Source:** [arpitg1304/robotics-agent-skills](https://github.com/arpitg1304/robotics-agent-skills)
- **License:** Apache-2.0

Install and usage instructions live in the source repository linked above.

## Pricing

- **Free** — Free

## Security capabilities

Automated source analysis of v0.1.0 — what this tool can access:

- **Network access:** no
- **Filesystem access:** no
- **Shell / process execution:** no
- **Environment & secrets:** yes
- **Dynamic code execution:** no

*"Yes" means the capability is present in the source — more access means more to trust, not that it is unsafe.*


## Versions

- **0.1.0** — security scan: passed — Imported from the upstream source.

## Links

- Listing page: https://agentstack.voostack.com/l/skill-arpitg1304-robotics-agent-skills-robot-bringup
- Seller: https://agentstack.voostack.com/s/arpitg1304
- Browse the marketplace: https://agentstack.voostack.com/browse

---
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