Runtime Path Picker

runtime-path-picker

Purpose

Produce a single primary runtime execution choice among Path 1 (Blender Lab MCP), Path 2 (community ahujasid/blender-mcp), or the CLI fallback appendix — with explicit tradeoffs and no false "standalone Connector" claims.

Quick start

• collect Blender version band, host app (Claude Desktop vs coding agent vs CI), interactivity needs
• score against references/path-constraints-table.md
• walk references/decision-tree.md
• document choice using references/anti-patterns.md guardrails

When to use

• user unsure Lab vs community vs CLI
• environment pinned to Blender below 5.1 (Path 1 unavailable)
• automation / batch render discussion

When not to use

• port collision diagnostics → runtime-bridge-conflict-resolver
• detailed install steps → official-runtime-setup-guide
• readiness probing → official-runtime-readiness-checker

Trigger phrases

• "which MCP should I use"
• "Lab MCP or ahujasid"
• "Path 1 or Path 2"
• "CLI vs MCP"

Prerequisites / readiness

• target Blender major/minor known or explicitly unknown
• whether interactive steering vs batch matters

Input schema

Required inputs

| Input | Why it is required | |---|---| | Blender version (or uncertainty) | Gates Path 1 | | Host environment category | Connector vs generic MCP vs CI |

Optional inputs

| Input | Use | |---|---| | Org IT constraints | May force CLI appendix | | Prior tooling investment | Path loyalty |

Output schema

Primary output

• primary path recommendation + rationale
• rejected paths + why
• host option note for Path 1: (a) Anthropic Blender Connector or (b) manual MCP client — both require Lab add-on inside Blender

Evidence / caveat output

Runtime status: Not Run | Attempted | Produced | Verified | Failed | Blocked / Not Run
Artifact status: Not Run | Not Produced | Produced | Verified | Failed
Evidence used: 
Limitations: 

Required laws

• ../../laws/evidence-before-done.md
• ../../laws/non-blender-user-language.md
• ../../laws/no-arbitrary-python-interface.md
• ../../laws/official-runtime-only.md

Official runtime boundary

Decision skill only — does not configure hosts. Must reflect BlendOps model: two MCP execution paths plus CLI fallback appendix documented upstream as a first-class Blender CLI surface; No in-repo evidence file yet for BlendOps-run CLI examples. Path 2 is third-party community (ahujasid/blender-mcp) — mature prior art with manual configuration responsibility; see docs/unofficial-runtime-bridges.md. Never describe Anthropic Connector as replacing the Lab add-on inside Blender.

Operating procedure

1. Gate Path 1 on Blender 5.1+ feasibility.
2. If Path 1 impossible and interactive MCP wanted → Path 2 if acceptable risk profile.
3. If batch / headless / CI → prefer CLI appendix plan (cli-appendix-job-outline).
4. Warn on Single-bridge constraint if multiple bridges detected.

Mode handling

Text-only mode

Hypothetical picks labeled clearly.

Runtime-ready mode

Cross-check suggestions with readiness checker output if present.

Blocked runtime mode

Still deliver decision table for future attempt.

Validation checklist

• [ ] Primary path singular
• [ ] Connector not standalone assertion present when Path 1 + Connector mentioned
• [ ] Path 2 labeled community third-party when recommended
• [ ] CLI appendix framed per policy strings above when mentioned

Pass / Warn / Fail rubric

| Verdict | Criteria | |---|---| | Pass | Coherent pick + constraints mapped | | Warn | Missing Blender version — conditional branches explicit | | Fail | Claims Connector alone suffices for Path 1 |

Cross-skill handoff

• Setup detail → ../official-runtime-setup-guide/SKILL.md
• Conflicts → ../runtime-bridge-conflict-resolver/SKILL.md
• CLI shape → ../cli-appendix-job-outline/SKILL.md
• Host specifics Path 1 → ../path-one-host-outline/SKILL.md

References

• references/path-constraints-table.md
• references/decision-tree.md
• references/anti-patterns.md
• ../../docs/runtime-stack-strategy.md

Source & license

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

• Author: ThanhNguyxnOrg
• Source: ThanhNguyxnOrg/blendops
• License: MIT
• Homepage: https://github.com/ThanhNguyxnOrg/blendops

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