---

name: simulation-core description: "Use simulation-core for Isaac Lab AppLauncher, SimulationCfg, backend selection, visualizer modes, and core simulation startup workflows." disable-model-invocation: true metadata: disco-role: operating license: NOASSERTION

Simulation Core

Use this sub-skill when the task is about launching Isaac Lab simulation, selecting physics or renderer backends, configuring headless or streamed runs, or reasoning about AppLauncher, SimulationCfg, PhysicsCfg, RendererCfg, and SettingsManager.

Route here for

• Launching an app with AppLauncher or a simulation-aware Python entrypoint.
• Choosing PhysxCfg, NewtonCfg, or OvPhysxCfg for the active physics backend.
• Setting --device, --visualizer, --enable_cameras, --livestream, or --experience.
• Understanding how SimulationCfg and visualizer config objects interact.
• Debugging Kit-vs-kitless compatibility and launcher environment variables.
• Inspecting the core simulation API without opening the original checkout.

Use other subskills for

• Ready-made robots, sensor catalogs, or custom asset configs: ../assets-and-sensors/SKILL.md.
• Task registration, preset selection, or environment listing: ../tasks-and-presets/SKILL.md.
• RL train/play or checkpoint handling: ../rl-training/SKILL.md.

Working references

• references/api-reference.md
• references/workflows.md
• references/troubleshooting.md
• scripts/inspect_simulation_api.py

Acceptance checks

• Explain which backend or visualizer combination is valid for the requested run.
• Use the bundled helper or a tiny config smoke to confirm the API shape.
• Keep launcher advice aligned with the current ./isaaclab.sh --help contract and the bundled reference.