tia-openness-roadmap

tia-openness-roadmap

Goal

Route the task to the correct implementation path and load the right skill files.

Mandatory policy

1. Prefer TIA Portal MCP for interactive, single-step read/write operations when the MCP server is available.
2. Prefer TIA Scripting Python for scripted or multi-step automation.
3. Use C# TIA Portal Openness only if Python is insufficient.
4. Do not invent Python wrapper methods.
5. For multi-domain tasks, select all required skills.

Implementation paths

MCP path

Direct tool calls — no code generation. Use when the TIA Portal MCP server is available.

| Skill | Location | |---|---| | tia-portal-mcp | skills/tia-portal-mcp/SKILL.md |

Python path

Single skill owns all Python implementation:

| Skill | Location | |---|---| | tia-python | skills/tia-python/SKILL.md |

tia-python contains its own reference file table that routes to the correct references/*.md file based on the task domain (PLC, HMI, library, project, portal).

C# path

Always starts with the common foundation skill, then domain skill(s):

| Skill | Location | Role | |---|---|---| | tia-csharp-common | skills/tia-csharp-common/SKILL.md | Mandatory first load for every C# task | | tia-project-general | skills/tia-project-general/SKILL.md | Domain skill | | tia-devices-general | skills/tia-devices-general/SKILL.md | Domain skill | | tia-hmi-operations | skills/tia-hmi-operations/SKILL.md | Domain skill | | tia-plc-operations | skills/tia-plc-operations/SKILL.md | Domain skill | | tia-networks | skills/tia-networks/SKILL.md | Domain skill | | tia-simatic-drives | skills/tia-simatic-drives/SKILL.md | Domain skill | | tia-import-export | skills/tia-import-export/SKILL.md | Domain skill | | tia-multiuser | skills/tia-multiuser/SKILL.md | Domain skill | | tia-teamcenter | skills/tia-teamcenter/SKILL.md | Domain skill | | tia-testsuite | skills/tia-testsuite/SKILL.md | Domain skill |

Add-In path

Standalone skill for TIA Portal Add-In development (always C#, VS Code workflow):

| Skill | Location | |---|---| | addin-operations | skills/addin-operations/SKILL.md |

Routing rules

| Task pattern | Implementation | Skill | |---|---|---| | browse / explore project tree structure | MCP | tia-portal-mcp | | read a single PLC block (view logic / generate code) | MCP | tia-portal-mcp | | targeted single-block edit | MCP | tia-portal-mcp | | list tag tables and tags | MCP | tia-portal-mcp | | inspect hardware topology / IP addresses | MCP | tia-portal-mcp | | cross-reference diagnostics / unused objects | MCP | tia-portal-mcp | | prerequisite / environment / missing install diagnostics | Diagnostic probe | tia-doctor | | add a single device to the project | MCP | tia-portal-mcp | | configure device network identity (IP, PN name) | MCP | tia-portal-mcp | | compile check / view errors and warnings | MCP | tia-portal-mcp | | open/create/save/archive/retrieve project | Python | tia-python | | project server / local session / portal attach | Python | tia-python | | PLC blocks / tags / UDTs / sources / compile | Python | tia-python | | PLC online / download / compare-to-online | Python | tia-python | | HMI tags / screens / scripts / alarms / lists | Python | tia-python | | HMI import/export / compile | Python | tia-python | | library types / versions / instantiate / update | Python | tia-python | | XML / SimaticML / AML / CAx import/export | Python | tia-python | | generic device compile / upgrade / properties | Python | tia-python | | topology / subnet / node / IO-system / port | C# | tia-networks | | Startdrive / SINAMICS / drive controller | C# | tia-simatic-drives | | device item slot/subslot/module manipulation | C# | tia-devices-general | | advanced PLC online/security/upload services | C# | tia-plc-operations | | deep Unified HMI / screen items / runtime | C# | tia-hmi-operations | | VCI / version control interface | C# | tia-project-general | | multiuser engineering / server projects / local sessions | C# | tia-multiuser | | Teamcenter integration / managed projects | C# | tia-teamcenter | | automated testing / TestSuite / application test / style guide / system test | C# | tia-testsuite | | TIA Portal Add-In / addin-project / .addin | C# | addin-operations |

MCP vs Python vs C# decision rule

Choose MCP when:

• the task is a single read or targeted write (one block, one device, one compile check)
• the user wants to explore or inspect a project interactively
• no looping, no bulk changes, no code generation is needed
• the tia-portal MCP server is available (check mcp__tia-portal__* tools)

Choose Python when the exact required operation exists in the tia-python reference files. Choose C# when:

• the required operation is absent from the Python reference catalogue
• the task needs low-level object model traversal
• the task needs topology/network object manipulation
• the task needs drive-specific APIs
• the task needs advanced online/security/session/event APIs
• the task needs Teamcenter, VCI, advanced multiuser, or unsupported safety/Unified features

Multi-skill execution order

1. project / portal
2. device selection
3. domain work
4. import/export
5. compile / compare / download / validation

Required response format

Use this exact structure:

• Use skill(s): ...
• Implementation path: MCP or Implementation path: Python or Implementation path: C# Openness or Implementation path: Diagnostic probe
• Reason: ...
• Execution order: ...

Post-routing action — MANDATORY

If Diagnostic probe: read skills/tia-doctor/SKILL.md and run its probe command. Report the probe output and remediation items. Do not create or modify projects.

If MCP: read skills/tia-portal-mcp/SKILL.md. Use the MCP tools directly — no code generation.

If Python: read skills/tia-python/SKILL.md, then load the reference file(s) it points to for the task domain. Do NOT load domain skills — they are for C# only.

If C#:

1. Read skills/tia-csharp-common/SKILL.md first — always, for every C# task.
2. Read the SKILL.md of each selected domain skill, then load only the references/*.md file(s) that skill's own reference table (or its reference_catalogue.md, where present) points to for the task.

If Add-In: read skills/addin-operations/SKILL.md. No other skills needed.

Do NOT write code based solely on the routing response — always load the skill files first.

Escalation rule

If implementation starts in Python and the required call is not documented:

• stop
• switch to the corresponding C# domain skill
• load tia-csharp-common first, then the domain skill
• keep the same task decomposition

Hard escalation triggers (always C#)

• device item slot/subslot operations
• subnet/node/IO-system/port/channel/address manipulation
• Teamcenter / ConnectSSO
• VCI / advanced multiuser
• advanced PLC online/security services
• advanced Unified internals
• drive-specific engineering
• diagnostics / event handlers / self-description APIs