Agent skill

Experimental Design Guide

by wentorai in wentorai/research-plugins

Design rigorous experiments using DOE, factorial designs, and response surfaces

MITAuto-check passedResearch & Science

Install Experimental Design Guide

skills CLI
$ npx skills add wentorai/research-plugins --skill experimental-design-guide -a claude-code

Project install by default; add -g for ~/.claude/skills/.

GitHub CLI
$ gh skill install wentorai/research-plugins experimental-design-guide --agent claude-code

Project scope by default; add --scope user for a personal install. Needs GitHub CLI 2.90.0 or later (public preview).

Manual copy
$ git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/wentorai/research-plugins.git skills-src && mkdir -p .claude/skills && cp -r skills-src/skills/research/methodology/experimental-design-guide .claude/skills/experimental-design-guide && rm -rf skills-src

Use ~/.claude/skills/ instead of .claude/skills for a personal install. The folder must contain SKILL.md.

Claude Code skills documentation · loads skills from .claude/skills/

Facts

Skill name
experimental-design-guide
GitHub stars
298
Used in
1 other repo
Token cost
~1.9k tokens
SKILL.md length
198 words
Files
1
Skills in repo
405
Repo updated
First seen
Licence
MIT

At a glance

Design rigorous experiments using DOE, factorial designs, and response surfaces

  • Works in 3 steps: Randomization: Assign experimental units… → Replication: Include enough replicates… → Blocking: Group similar experimental…
  • Tasks that involve Experimental design
  • SKILL.md covers Fundamental Principles, Full Factorial Designs, Fractional Factorial Designs and Response Surface Methodology…, plus 2 more sections
  • Instructions only: no scripts, shell commands, URLs or credentials in SKILL.md

What it does

Experimental Design Guide is an agent skill from wentorai/research-plugins. Design rigorous experiments using DOE, factorial designs, and response surfaces

Its SKILL.md is about 1.9k tokens, which your agent loads only when the skill is triggered. It is a single SKILL.md file with no bundled scripts.

It sits in Research & Science, covering Experimental design. The repository describes itself as: 350+ academic research skills, MCP configs, and plugins for Research-Claw and AI agents. The licence is MIT.

When your agent uses it

  • Tasks that involve Experimental design

Example prompts

  • “/experimental-design-guide”

Requirements

  • Python 3

Workflow steps

3 steps, taken from the first numbered list in SKILL.md.

  1. Randomization: Assign experimental units to treatments randomly to eliminate systematic bias
  2. Replication: Include enough replicates to estimate experimental error and ensure statistical power
  3. Blocking: Group similar experimental units to reduce nuisance variability

What it can do on your machine

Read from SKILL.md and the folder at commit bf44b3c. It shows what the files ask for, not the result of running them.

  • Tool permissions

    Pre-approves nothing: there is no allowed-tools line, so your agent's usual permission prompts apply.

    From allowed-tools in the SKILL.md frontmatter.

  • Runs code

    No scripts in the folder and no shell commands in SKILL.md (its code samples are python).

    From the folder's file list and the shell code blocks in SKILL.md.

  • Network

    No URLs in SKILL.md.

    From URLs in SKILL.md, links to its own repository left out.

  • Credentials

    Names no API keys, tokens, secrets or passwords.

    From names ending in _API_KEY, _TOKEN, _SECRET, _KEY or _PASSWORD in SKILL.md.

Context cost

Experimental Design Guide loads about 1.9k tokens when it runs. Until then it costs about 26 tokens; SKILL.md has 198 words of instructions outside code blocks.

Always · name and description, kept in context so the agent knows when to use it
~26
When it runs · the whole SKILL.md, loaded when a task matches
~1.9k

Estimates: characters ÷ 4, the usual rule of thumb; real counts depend on the model's tokenizer. Scripts and assets cost tokens only if the agent reads them.

Safety

Auto-check passed

The automated check found no risky patterns in SKILL.md.

Automated static check — not a guarantee. Review scripts before installing. It scans the text of SKILL.md for risky patterns (piping downloads into a shell, reading credential files, hidden Unicode, destructive commands); files beside SKILL.md are not scanned.

SKILL.md

The full file from wentorai/research-plugins at commit bf44b3c, republished under its MIT licence (© wentorai). 198 words, ~1,910 tokens.

Download SKILL.mdSave it as .claude/skills/experimental-design-guide/SKILL.md (or your agent's skills folder).
name
experimental-design-guide
description
Design rigorous experiments using DOE, factorial designs, and response surfaces

Experimental Design Guide

A skill for designing rigorous experiments using formal Design of Experiments (DOE) methodology. Covers factorial designs, fractional factorials, response surface methods, and optimal design strategies for scientific research.

Fundamental Principles

Fisher's Three Principles
  1. Randomization: Assign experimental units to treatments randomly to eliminate systematic bias
  2. Replication: Include enough replicates to estimate experimental error and ensure statistical power
  3. Blocking: Group similar experimental units to reduce nuisance variability
Sample Size and Power Analysis
python
from scipy import stats
import numpy as np

def power_analysis_ttest(effect_size: float, alpha: float = 0.05,
                          power: float = 0.80, ratio: float = 1.0) -> dict:
    """
    Calculate required sample size for a two-sample t-test.

    Args:
        effect_size: Cohen's d (expected effect size)
        alpha: Significance level
        power: Desired statistical power
        ratio: Ratio of n2/n1 (for unequal groups)
    """
    from statsmodels.stats.power import TTestIndPower
    analysis = TTestIndPower()
    n1 = analysis.solve_power(
        effect_size=effect_size,
        alpha=alpha,
        power=power,
        ratio=ratio,
        alternative='two-sided'
    )

    return {
        'n_per_group': int(np.ceil(n1)),
        'total_n': int(np.ceil(n1) + np.ceil(n1 * ratio)),
        'effect_size_d': effect_size,
        'alpha': alpha,
        'power': power,
        'interpretation': (
            f"Need {int(np.ceil(n1))} per group "
            f"(total N = {int(np.ceil(n1) + np.ceil(n1 * ratio))}) "
            f"to detect d = {effect_size} with {power*100:.0f}% power."
        )
    }

# Example: medium effect size
result = power_analysis_ttest(effect_size=0.5, alpha=0.05, power=0.80)
print(result['interpretation'])

Full Factorial Designs

2^k Factorial Design
python
import itertools
import pandas as pd

def create_factorial_design(factors: dict, replicates: int = 3) -> pd.DataFrame:
    """
    Create a full factorial experimental design.

    Args:
        factors: Dict mapping factor names to lists of levels
                 e.g., {'Temperature': [60, 80], 'Pressure': [1, 2], 'Catalyst': ['A', 'B']}
        replicates: Number of replicates per combination
    """
    factor_names = list(factors.keys())
    factor_levels = list(factors.values())

    # Generate all combinations
    combinations = list(itertools.product(*factor_levels))

    # Create design matrix with replicates
    rows = []
    run_order = 0
    for rep in range(replicates):
        for combo in combinations:
            run_order += 1
            row = {'Run': run_order, 'Replicate': rep + 1}
            for name, value in zip(factor_names, combo):
                row[name] = value
            row['Response'] = None  # To be filled with experimental data
            rows.append(row)

    design = pd.DataFrame(rows)

    # Randomize run order
    design = design.sample(frac=1, random_state=42).reset_index(drop=True)
    design['RandomizedRun'] = range(1, len(design) + 1)

    print(f"Design summary:")
    print(f"  Factors: {len(factors)}")
    print(f"  Levels per factor: {[len(v) for v in factors.values()]}")
    print(f"  Total treatments: {len(combinations)}")
    print(f"  Replicates: {replicates}")
    print(f"  Total runs: {len(design)}")

    return design

# Example: 2^3 factorial
design = create_factorial_design({
    'Temperature': [60, 80],
    'Pressure': [1, 2],
    'Catalyst': ['A', 'B']
}, replicates=3)
Analyzing Factorial Experiments
python
import statsmodels.api as sm
from statsmodels.formula.api import ols

def analyze_factorial(df: pd.DataFrame, response: str,
                       factors: list[str]) -> dict:
    """
    Analyze a factorial experiment using ANOVA.
    """
    # Build formula with all main effects and interactions
    main_effects = ' + '.join([f'C({f})' for f in factors])
    interactions = ' + '.join([f'C({f1}):C({f2})'
                               for i, f1 in enumerate(factors)
                               for f2 in factors[i+1:]])
    formula = f'{response} ~ {main_effects} + {interactions}'

    model = ols(formula, data=df).fit()
    anova_table = sm.stats.anova_lm(model, typ=2)

    # Effect sizes (eta-squared)
    ss_total = anova_table['sum_sq'].sum()
    anova_table['eta_sq'] = anova_table['sum_sq'] / ss_total

    return {
        'anova_table': anova_table,
        'r_squared': model.rsquared,
        'significant_effects': anova_table[anova_table['PR(>F)'] < 0.05].index.tolist()
    }

Fractional Factorial Designs

When a full factorial has too many runs:

python
def fractional_factorial_2k(k: int, resolution: int = 3) -> pd.DataFrame:
    """
    Generate a 2^(k-p) fractional factorial design.

    Args:
        k: Number of factors
        resolution: Design resolution (III, IV, or V)
    """
    from pyDOE2 import fracfact

    # Resolution III: 2^(k-p) where p minimizes runs
    # Common designs:
    # 2^(3-1) = 4 runs (Resolution III)
    # 2^(4-1) = 8 runs (Resolution IV)
    # 2^(5-2) = 8 runs (Resolution III)
    # 2^(7-4) = 8 runs (Resolution III, Plackett-Burman)

    design = fracfact(f'a b c {"d" if k >= 4 else ""} {"e" if k >= 5 else ""}')
    df = pd.DataFrame(design, columns=[f'Factor_{i+1}' for i in range(design.shape[1])])

    print(f"Fractional factorial: {len(df)} runs for {k} factors")
    return df

Response Surface Methodology (RSM)

Central Composite Design
python
def central_composite_design(factor_ranges: dict) -> pd.DataFrame:
    """
    Create a Central Composite Design for response surface optimization.
    """
    from pyDOE2 import ccdesign

    k = len(factor_ranges)
    design_coded = ccdesign(k, center=(4,), alpha='orthogonal', face='circumscribed')

    factor_names = list(factor_ranges.keys())
    df = pd.DataFrame(design_coded, columns=factor_names)

    # Convert from coded (-1, +1) to natural units
    for name, (low, high) in factor_ranges.items():
        center = (high + low) / 2
        half_range = (high - low) / 2
        df[name] = center + df[name] * half_range

    return df

# Example: optimize a chemical reaction
design = central_composite_design({
    'Temperature_C': [50, 90],
    'pH': [5, 9],
    'Time_min': [10, 60]
})

Randomization and Blinding

  • Single-blind: Participants do not know their treatment assignment
  • Double-blind: Neither participants nor experimenters know assignments
  • Allocation concealment: Assignment sequence is hidden until the moment of assignment

For computer-generated randomization, always record and report the random seed used. Use block randomization to ensure balanced groups when enrollment is sequential.

Reporting Checklist

Follow CONSORT (clinical trials), ARRIVE (animal studies), or STROBE (observational) guidelines:

  • State the primary and secondary outcomes before analysis
  • Report all planned analyses, including non-significant results
  • Describe randomization method and any deviations from protocol
  • Include sample size justification with power analysis parameters

© wentorai, MIT. Rendered from Markdown: HTML in the file is shown as text, images as links, and headings moved down two levels. Raw file

Files

Just SKILL.md in skills/research/methodology/experimental-design-guide of wentorai/research-plugins.

Open the folder on GitHubat commit bf44b3c

Used in 1 other repository

We found 1 copy of this SKILL.md (exact, near-identical or edited) in other folders, from 1 other GitHub owner. This page covers the copy in wentorai/research-plugins, which our catalogue first saw on October 7, 2026.

Compare with similar skills

Experimental Design Guide next to the 5 skills that share the most tags, products or categories with it. Stars are the repository's; “used in” counts other GitHub owners with a copy.

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Questions about Experimental Design Guide

What does Experimental Design Guide do?

Design rigorous experiments using DOE, factorial designs, and response surfaces. Experimental Design Guide is an agent skill from wentorai/research-plugins.

When should I use Experimental Design Guide?

Experimental Design Guide fits situations like: tasks that involve Experimental design.

How do I install Experimental Design Guide in Claude Code?

Run `npx skills add wentorai/research-plugins --skill experimental-design-guide -a claude-code`. Or copy the skill folder (skills/research/methodology/experimental-design-guide in wentorai/research-plugins) into .claude/skills/experimental-design-guide in your project. Claude Code loads it when a task matches its description.

How do I install Experimental Design Guide in Codex?

Run `npx skills add wentorai/research-plugins --skill experimental-design-guide -a codex`. Or copy the skill folder (skills/research/methodology/experimental-design-guide in wentorai/research-plugins) into .agents/skills/experimental-design-guide in your project. Codex loads it when a task matches its description.

Can I use Experimental Design Guide in Cursor, Gemini CLI or GitHub Copilot?

Cursor, Gemini CLI, GitHub Copilot and OpenCode also load SKILL.md folders. With the skills CLI, run `npx skills add wentorai/research-plugins --skill experimental-design-guide -a cursor` (or -a gemini-cli, github-copilot or opencode for the others). To copy it by hand, put the folder in .cursor/skills/experimental-design-guide, .gemini/skills/experimental-design-guide, .github/skills/experimental-design-guide and .opencode/skills/experimental-design-guide in your project.

What does Experimental Design Guide need to run?

SKILL.md names no scripts, command-line tools or credentials: Experimental Design Guide is instructions for the agent only. Our summary lists: Python 3.

Does Experimental Design Guide access the network?

SKILL.md contains no URLs. Any network use would come from the scripts or tools the agent runs. This is read from the text; nothing was executed.

Is Experimental Design Guide safe to install?

Our automated static check of SKILL.md found no risky patterns, such as piping downloads into a shell, reading credential files or hidden Unicode. It is not a guarantee. Review the folder before installing.

What licence does Experimental Design Guide use?

Experimental Design Guide is published under the MIT licence (the repository's licence). It allows redistribution, so the full SKILL.md is shown on this page.

How many tokens does Experimental Design Guide use?

About 1.9k tokens (SKILL.md is roughly 7.6k characters). Agents keep only the skill's name and description in context until a task matches; then they load SKILL.md in full.

What are the alternatives to Experimental Design Guide?

Skills that share tags, products or a category with Experimental Design Guide: Scientific Critical Thinking (weapp-tailwindcss/weapp-tailwindcss, 1.9k stars), Benchmark Paper Template (HKUSTDial/Supervisor-Skills, 8.7k stars), Claim-Driven Experiment Planner (zjYao36/Auto-Research-Refine, 128 stars) and Research Refine Pipeline (zjYao36/Auto-Research-Refine, 128 stars). The comparison table on this page puts their stars, adoption, token cost, safety result and licence side by side.

Who maintains Experimental Design Guide?

wentorai (a GitHub user) maintains it in wentorai/research-plugins, which has 298 GitHub stars. The repository holds 405 skills in this directory. The repository was last updated on June 19, 2026.

Source: wentorai/research-plugins on GitHub. Facts on this page come from the repository at the commit we read; the author's words are quoted as theirs.