steadfastasart/geoscience-skills/pylops

Claude Code and agent skill by steadfastasart/geoscience-skills

Trust tier 2
  • community
LLM review pending
Source check pending

Checking that the SKILL.md file is still in the repository.

Linear operators for large-scale inverse problems with matrix-free representations. Use when the agent needs to: (1) Define linear operators for forward/adjoint operations, (2) Solve inverse problems (deconvolution, imaging, tomography), (3) Apply signal processing transforms (FFT, convolution, derivatives), (4) Compose operators for complex workflows, (5) Perform regularized inversion with smoothness or sparsity constraints, (6) Process seismic or image data at scale.

Install

npx vskill@latest install steadfastasart/geoscience-skills/pylops

SKILL.md

PyLops - Linear Operators Library

Quick Reference

python
import numpy as np
import pylops
# Create operator and apply forward/adjoint
A = pylops.FirstDerivative(n=100, dtype='float64')
y = A @ x # Forward: y = A @ x
x_adj = A.H @ y # Adjoint: x = A.H @ y
x_est = A / y # Solve inverse problem

Key Classes

ClassPurpose
LinearOperatorBase class for all operators
VStack/HStackVertical/horizontal operator stacking
BlockDiagBlock diagonal operator composition

Essential Operations

Basic Operators
python
# Diagonal operator
D = pylops.Diagonal(np.array([1., 2., 3.]))
y = D @ x; x_adj = D.H @ y
# Derivatives
D1 = pylops.FirstDerivative(n, dtype='float64')
D2 = pylops.SecondDerivative(n, dtype='float64')
G = pylops.Gradient(dims=(64, 64), dtype='float64')
Convolution
python
wavelet = np.sin(np.linspace(0, 2*np.pi, 21)) * np.hanning(21)
C = pylops.signalprocessing.Convolve1D(n, h=wavelet, offset=10)
y = C @ x # Convolve
x_adj = C.H @ y # Correlation (adjoint)
Compose and Stack Operators
python
# Chain: y = C @ B @ A @ x
composed = pylops.Smoothing1D(5, n) @ pylops.FirstDerivative(n) @ pylops.Identity(n)
# Stack operators
V = pylops.VStack([A, B]) # Vertical: (2n, n)
H = pylops.HStack([A, B]) # Horizontal: (n, 2n)
BD = pylops.BlockDiag([A, B]) # Block diagonal: (2n, 2n)
Solve Inverse Problems
python
# Simple least squares
x_est = A / y
# Normal equations
x_est = pylops.optimization.leastsquares.NormalEquationsInversion(A, None, y)
# Regularized inversion with smoothness
Reg = pylops.SecondDerivative(n)
x_est = pylops.optimization.leastsquares.RegularizedInversion(
A, [Reg], y, epsRs=[0.1]
)
Iterative Solvers
python
x_lsqr = pylops.optimization.solver.lsqr(A, y, iter_lim=100)[0]
x_cgls = pylops.optimization.solver.cgls(A, y, niter=100)[0]
Sparsity-Promoting Inversion
python
x_l1 = pylops.optimization.sparsity.fista(A, y, niter=100, eps=0.1)[0]

Verify Adjoint (Dot Test)

python
A = pylops.FirstDerivative(100)
pylops.utils.dottest(A, 100, 100, verb=True) # Dot test passed!

Common Patterns

Seismic Deconvolution
python
C = pylops.signalprocessing.Convolve1D(n, h=wavelet, offset=len(wavelet)//2)
seismic = C @ reflectivity
# Deconvolve (regularized)
Reg = pylops.SecondDerivative(n)
reflectivity_est = pylops.optimization.leastsquares.RegularizedInversion(
C, [Reg], seismic, epsRs=[0.01]
)
Image Denoising with TV
python
ny, nx = image.shape
G = pylops.Gradient(dims=(ny, nx))
x_tv = pylops.optimization.sparsity.splitbregman(
pylops.Identity(ny*nx), G, image.ravel(),
niter_inner=5, niter_outer=10, mu=1.0, epsRL1s=[0.1]
)[0].reshape(ny, nx)

When to Use vs Alternatives

ScenarioRecommendation
Matrix-free linear operators for large inverse problemsPyLops - purpose-built, memory efficient
Sparse matrix operations with known structurescipy.sparse - standard, well-documented
Simple convolution/deconvolutionPyLops - clean API with Convolve1D
Custom operators for small problemsCustom NumPy/SciPy - no extra dependency
GPU-accelerated linear algebraPyLops - pass CuPy arrays for automatic GPU
Seismic deconvolution or imaging operatorsPyLops - rich signal processing operator library

Choose PyLops when: You need matrix-free linear operators that scale to large problems without forming explicit matrices. Its operator algebra (@, VStack, BlockDiag) and built-in solvers (LSQR, FISTA, Split Bregman) make inverse problem workflows concise.

Avoid PyLops when: Your problem is small enough for explicit matrices (use NumPy/SciPy), or you need nonlinear operators (PyLops is strictly linear).

Common Workflows

Regularized seismic deconvolution
  • [ ] Define wavelet array and create Convolve1D operator
  • [ ] Generate or load seismic trace data
  • [ ] Run dot test to verify operator adjoint: pylops.utils.dottest()
  • [ ] Set up regularization operator (e.g., SecondDerivative for smoothness)
  • [ ] Run RegularizedInversion(C, [Reg], data, epsRs=[eps])
  • [ ] Compare estimated reflectivity against true (if available)
  • [ ] Tune epsRs parameter: higher = smoother, lower = sharper
  • [ ] For sparse solutions, use pylops.optimization.sparsity.fista() instead

Tips

  1. Never form full matrix - Use .matvec() and .rmatvec() for memory efficiency
  2. Check shapes - Operators have .shape attribute like matrices
  3. Verify adjoint - Always run pylops.utils.dottest() for custom operators
  4. Start simple - Test on small problems before scaling up
  5. Use GPU - Pass CuPy arrays for automatic GPU acceleration

References

  • [Operators Reference](references/operators.md) - Complete list of available operators
  • [Solvers Reference](references/solvers.md) - Solver methods and configuration options

Scripts

  • [scripts/deconvolution.py](scripts/deconvolution.py) - Seismic deconvolution example

Security

  • Security scanPassed, 100 of 100Pattern checks on the skill's files.
  • Model reviewNot runA model review is scheduled for the next rescan.

Quality evaluation

  • Task evaluationNot runNo evaluation yet. Run one in Skill Studio.

Source

Popularity

7-day trend score
0

Not refreshed yet.

Works with

Any agent vskill installs to: 56 targets in all. These 39 have a page on this site.

  • Claude Code
  • Cursor
  • GitHub Copilot
  • Windsurf
  • Codex
  • Gemini CLI
  • Cline
  • Amp
  • Roo Code
  • Goose
  • Continue
  • Kilo Code
  • Junie
  • Trae
  • OpenHands
  • Qwen Code
  • AI Agent
  • Tabnine Chat
  • Sourcegraph Cody
  • Amazon Q
  • Firebase Genkit
  • Sweep
  • Devin
  • Phind
  • Mentat
  • Claude Desktop
  • Aider
  • GPT Pilot
  • Plandex
  • bolt.new
  • v0
  • Replit Agent
  • Anse
  • TypingMind
  • BetterChatGPT
  • LibreChat
  • Warp AI
  • Pieces
  • Fig AI
Embed badge
vskill VERIFIED badge
[![vskill VERIFIED](https://verified-skill.com/api/v1/skills/steadfastasart/geoscience-skills/pylops/badge)](https://verified-skill.com/skills/steadfastasart/geoscience-skills/pylops)

Something wrong with this skill or its page? Tell us.