autobox

Automation for ArcGIS Pro toolboxes, script tools, and documentation from Python objects. autobox generates the modern ArcGIS Pro Toolbox format (.atbx) and has support for Script Tools, Parameters, Dependencies, Filters, Toolsets, and documentation. Pure Python package and cross-platform (no dependencies).

Installation

autobox is available from the Python Package Index.

Python Compatibility

The autobox library is compatible with Python 3.11 to 3.14. Developed and tested on macOS and Windows, should be fine on Linux too.

Usage

autobox can be used to:

• Create a Toolbox and save to .atbx format
• Create a Toolset and add to a Toolbox or Toolset
• Create a ScriptTool with Parameters and add to a Toolbox or Toolset
• Add an ExecutionScript to a ScriptTool
• Add an optional ValidationScript to a ScriptTool
• Create and add a Filter to a Parameter
• Add a dependency to a Parameter
• Add documentation to Toolbox, ScriptTool, andParameter

Create a Toolbox

Create an empty Toolbox in the home folder:

from pathlib import Path
from autobox import Toolbox

# Creates an empty Toolbox
tbx = Toolbox(name='demonstration', label='Demonstration Toolbox', alias='demo')

# Save the toolbox to disk, overwrite is False by default
tbx_path = tbx.save(Path.home(), overwrite=True)

Create a ScriptTool

Create a ScriptTool in the root of the Toolbox

from pathlib import Path
from autobox import ScriptTool, Toolbox
from autobox.parameter import FeatureClassParameter, LongParameter

# Create Simple Script Tool
points = FeatureClassParameter(label='Random Points')
sample_size = LongParameter(label='Sample Size', is_required=False)
poly = FeatureClassParameter(label='Bounding Boxes')
out = FeatureClassParameter(label='Output Feature Class', is_input=False)
tool = ScriptTool(name='SimpleScriptTool', label='Simple Script Tool')
for param in points, sample_size, poly, out:
    tool.add_parameter(param)

tbx = Toolbox(name='demonstration')
tbx.add_script_tool(tool)
tbx_path = tbx.save(Path.home(), overwrite=True)

This generates a ScriptTool that looks like this:

Or create a ScriptTool inside of a Toolset:

from pathlib import Path
from autobox import ScriptTool, Toolbox, Toolset
from autobox.parameter import FeatureClassParameter, LongParameter

# Create Simple Script Tool
points = FeatureClassParameter(label='Random Points')
sample_size = LongParameter(label='Sample Size', is_required=False)
poly = FeatureClassParameter(label='Bounding Boxes')
out = FeatureClassParameter(label='Output Feature Class', is_input=False)
tool = ScriptTool(name='SimpleScriptTool', label='Simple Script Tool')
for param in points, sample_size, poly, out:
    tool.add_parameter(param)

# Create a Toolset, add the tool to the Toolset
toolset = Toolset(name='Overlay Tools')
toolset.add_script_tool(tool)

tbx = Toolbox(name='demonstration')
# Add Toolset to the Toolbox
tbx.add_toolset(toolset)
tbx_path = tbx.save(Path.home(), overwrite=True)

The ScriptTool looks the same but now there is an Overlay Tools Toolset in the Toolbox:

Empty Toolsets are not persisted unless the Toolset (or a child Toolset of the Toolset) contains a ScriptTool. In this example the Toolbox will be empty:

from pathlib import Path
from autobox import Toolbox, Toolset

toolset = Toolset(name='Overlay Tools')
tbx = Toolbox(name='demonstration')
tbx.add_toolset(toolset)
tbx_path = tbx.save(Path.home(), overwrite=True)

Add Documentation

Documentation can be added to a Toolbox, ScriptTool, or Parameter. On a Toolbox:

Toolbox Documentation

from autobox import Toolbox

tbx = Toolbox(name='demonstration', label='Demonstration Toolbox', alias='demo', 
              description='Here is where a longer description of the Toolbox can be included.')

ScriptTool Documentation

There are couple ways to document a ScriptTool using description and / or summary:

from autobox import ScriptTool

tool = ScriptTool(
  name='SimpleScriptTool', label='Simple Script Tool',
  description='Use the description for a shorter plain text explanation of the Tool purpose',
  summary='The summary can hold some basic markup, <b>bold example</b>')

An image can also be included to show on the ScriptTool, this is done by setting the illustration property:

from pathlib import Path
from autobox import ScriptTool

tool = ScriptTool(
  name='SimpleScriptTool', label='Simple Script Tool',
  description='Use the description for a shorter plain text explanation of the Tool purpose',
  summary='The summary can hold some basic markup, <b>bold example</b>')

# NOTE only png and jpg formats are supported
tool.illustration = Path('../data/images/numpy_illustration.png')

# NOTE Icon for the Script Tool can be set too,
#  Technically not documentation but worth mentioning 
tool.icon = Path('../data/images/python_icon.png')

Parameter Documentation

Each individual Parameter also supports documentation via description which can be plain text or contain basic markup

from autobox.parameter import FeatureClassParameter

points = FeatureClassParameter(
    label='Random Points',
    description='Select a feature class with randomly spaced '
                'points over the area of interest')

Extended Example

This example shows use of Filters, setting a dependency Parameter, using a category for grouping parameters, and setting default value.

from pathlib import Path
from autobox import ScriptTool, Toolbox, Toolset
from autobox.default import LinearUnitValue
from autobox.enum import GeometryType, LinearUnit
from autobox.filter import (
    FeatureClassTypeFilter, LinearUnitFilter, LongRangeFilter)
from autobox.parameter import (
    FeatureClassParameter, LinearUnitParameter, LongParameter)


# NOTE only allow for point and multi point feature classes
points = FeatureClassParameter(
    label='Random Points',
    description='Select a feature class with randomly spaced '
                'points over the area of interest')
points.filter = FeatureClassTypeFilter((GeometryType.POINT, GeometryType.MULTIPOINT))

# NOTE keep the sample size between 100 and 1000 with default of 500
sample_size = LongParameter(
    label='Sample Size', category='Pieces of Flair', is_required=False, 
    default_value=500)
sample_size.filter = LongRangeFilter(minimum=100, maximum=1000)

# NOTE use of default value based on non-primitive data type
buffer_units = LinearUnitParameter(
    label='Buffer Units', category='Pieces of Flair', is_required=False, 
    default_value=LinearUnitValue(value=100, unit=LinearUnit.METERS))
# NOTE use of dependency
buffer_units.dependency = points
buffer_units.filter = LinearUnitFilter((LinearUnit.METERS, LinearUnit.FEET))

# NOTE only allow for polygon feature classes
poly = FeatureClassParameter(label='Bounding Boxes')
poly.filter = FeatureClassTypeFilter(GeometryType.POLYGON)

out = FeatureClassParameter(label='Output Feature Class', is_input=False)

tool = ScriptTool(
  name='SimpleScriptTool', label='Simple Script Tool',
  description='Use the description for a shorter plain text explanation of the Tool purpose',
  summary='The summary can hold some basic markup, <b>bold example</b>')
for param in points, sample_size, buffer_units, poly, out:
    tool.add_parameter(param)

# Create a Toolset, add the tool to the Toolset
toolset = Toolset(name='Overlay Tools')
toolset.add_script_tool(tool)

tbx = Toolbox(name='demonstration', label='Demonstration Toolbox', alias='demo',
              description='Here is where a longer description of the Toolbox can be included.')
tbx.add_toolset(toolset)
tbx_path = tbx.save(Path.home(), overwrite=True)

The result of this snippet is a ScriptTool which looks like:

Notice the error message because the Sample Size is out of range:

Execution and Validation Scripts

For completeness, here are a few examples of setting the ExecutionScript and ValidationScript.
The ExecutionScript will almost always be needed and the ValidationScript is likely optional for most use cases. Use the class methods from_code and from_file to construct an instance.

from pathlib import Path
from autobox import ExecutionScript, ScriptTool, ValidationScript

# NOTE example adding from a code snippet
tool = ScriptTool(name='SimpleScriptTool', label='Simple Script Tool')
tool.execution_script = ExecutionScript.from_code('print("Hello World")')

# NOTE example adding from a file and choosing to embed
tool = ScriptTool(name='SimpleScriptTool', label='Simple Script Tool')
tool.execution_script = ExecutionScript.from_file(
  Path('../data/scripts/subfolder/example.py'), embed=True)
# NOTE validator scripts are always embedded
tool.validation_script = ValidationScript.from_file(Path('../data/scripts/validator.py'))

License

MIT

Release History

v0.4.0

• Implement __str__ and __repr__ methods in support of debugging and serialization
• Add support for __hash__ and __eq__ operators
• Implement __deepcopy__ on default value, filter, and parameter objects
• Ensure ABCMeta is set on abstract classes
• Update __all__ and added __all__ across the package
• Expose more attributes on objects via readonly properties
• Tested with Python 3.14
• TOML modernization for license file reference

v0.3.1

• Fix filter type hint on FieldParameter and ArealUnitParameter

v0.3.0

• Enforce BooleanParameter to be required, ensure value is serialized as text
• Allow DatasetTypeParameter to used with dependency on FieldParameter
• Enable dependency on CalculatorExpressionParameter
• Add and Improve handling for single and multi value default_value on:
  • ArealUnitParameter
  • DateParameter
  • DbaseTableParameter
  • DoubleParameter
  • CoordinateSystemParameter
  • EnvelopeParameter
  • FileParameter
  • FolderParameter
  • LinearUnitParameter
  • LongParameter
  • MapDocumentParameter
  • PointParameter
  • PrjFileParameter
  • ShapeFileParameter
  • SpatialReferenceParameter
  • StringParameter
  • TextFileParameter
  • TimeUnitParameter
• Add handling for default_value (single value only) on:
  • AnalysisCellSizeParameter
  • BooleanParameter
  • CalculatorExpressionParameter
  • CellSizeXYParameter
  • EncryptedStringParameter
  • ExtentParameter
  • MDomainParameter
  • SACellSizeParameter
  • SQLExpressionParameter
  • StringHiddenParameter
  • XYDomainParameter
  • ZDomainParameter

v0.2.1

• Fix failing test on Windows, incorrect parametrization

v0.2.0

• Added support for symbology (via layer file) on parameters
• Include type tuples in enum for Rational Numbers, Integers, Numbers, Strings, and Identifiers
• Extend dependency types to include FeatureRecordSetLayerParameter and RecordSetParameter on:
  • AreaUnitParameter
  • FieldParameter
  • LinearUnitParameter
  • SQLExpressionParameter
• Add dependency types to:
  • FieldMappingParameter
  • GAValueTableParameter
  • NAHierarchySettingsParameter
  • NetworkTravelModeParameter
• Enable following parameters to be used as a derived parameter:
  • BooleanParameter
  • DateParameter
  • DatasetParameter
  • DoubleParameter
  • LongParameter
  • SpatialReferenceParameter
• Added new filters TimeUnitFilter and TravelModeUnitTypeFilter
• Parameter types added in this release:
  • DataFileParameter
  • DiagramLayerParameter
  • FeatureRecordSetLayerParameter
  • FieldInfoParameter
  • FieldMappingParameter
  • GALayerParameter
  • GASearchNeighborhoodParameter
  • GAValueTableParameter
  • GeodatasetTypeParameter
  • GeometricNetworkParameter
  • KMLLayerParameter
  • MDomainParameter
  • NAClassFieldMapParameter
  • NAHierarchySettingsParameter
  • NALayerParameter
  • NetworkDataSourceParameter
  • NetworkDatasetLayerParameter
  • RandomNumberGeneratorParameter
  • RasterBuilderParameter
  • RecordSetParameter
  • SAExtractValuesParameter
  • SAFuzzyFunctionParameter
  • SAGDBEnvCompressionParameter
  • SAGDBEnvPyramidParameter
  • SAGDBEnvStatisticsParameter
  • SAGDBEnvTileSizeParameter
  • SAHorizontalFactorParameter
  • SANeighborhoodParameter
  • SARadiusParameter
  • SARemapParameter
  • SASemiVariogramParameter
  • SATimeConfigurationParameter
  • SATopoFeaturesParameter
  • SATransformationFunctionParameter
  • SAVerticalFactorParameter
  • SAWeightedOverlayTableParameter
  • SAWeightedSumParameter
  • SchematicDatasetParameter
  • SchematicDiagramClassParameter
  • SchematicDiagramParameter
  • SchematicFolderParameter
  • SchematicLayerParameter
  • TerrainLayerParameter
  • TimeUnitParameter
  • TopologyLayerParameter
  • ValueTableParameter
  • VectorLayerParameter
  • XYDomainParameter
  • ZDomainParameter

v0.1.0

• initial release
• Create a Toolbox and save to .atbx format
• Create a Toolset and add to a Toolbox or Toolset
• Create a ScriptTool with Parameters and add to a Toolbox or Toolset
• Add an ExecutionScript to a ScriptTool
• Add an optional ValidationScript to a ScriptTool
• Add a dependency to a Parameter
• Add documentation to Toolbox, ScriptTool, and Parameter
• Create and add a Filter to a Parameter, filters include:
  • ArealUnitFilter
  • DoubleRangeFilter
  • DoubleValueFilter
  • FeatureClassTypeFilter
  • FileTypeFilter
  • LinearUnitFilter
  • LongRangeFilter
  • LongValueFilter
  • StringValueFilter
  • WorkspaceTypeFilter
• Parameter types added in this release:
  • AnalysisCellSizeParameter
  • ArealUnitParameter
  • BooleanParameter
  • CadDrawingDatasetParameter
  • CalculatorExpressionParameter
  • CatalogLayerParameter
  • CellSizeXYParameter
  • CoordinateSystemParameter
  • CoverageFeatureClassParameter
  • CoverageParameter
  • DataElementParameter
  • DatasetTypeParameter
  • DateParameter
  • DbaseTableParameter
  • DoubleParameter
  • EncryptedStringParameter
  • EnvelopeParameter
  • ExtentParameter
  • FeatureClassParameter
  • FeatureDatasetParameter
  • FeatureLayerParameter
  • FieldParameter
  • FileParameter
  • FolderParameter
  • GPLayerParameter
  • GroupLayerParameter
  • LasDatasetLayerParameter
  • LasDatasetParameter
  • LayerFileParameter
  • LinearUnitParameter
  • LongParameter
  • MapDocumentParameter
  • MapParameter
  • MosaicDatasetParameter
  • MosaicLayerParameter
  • NetworkDatasetParameter
  • PointParameter
  • PrjFileParameter
  • RasterBandParameter
  • RasterCalculatorExpressionParameter
  • RasterDataLayerParameter
  • RasterDatasetParameter
  • RasterLayerParameter
  • RelationshipClassParameter
  • SACellSizeParameter
  • SQLExpressionParameter
  • ShapeFileParameter
  • SpatialReferenceParameter
  • StringHiddenParameter
  • StringParameter
  • TableParameter
  • TableViewParameter
  • TextfileParameter
  • TinLayerParameter
  • TinParameter
  • TopologyParameter
  • WorkspaceParameter