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dayz-launch-objectbuilder

Overview​

Open Object Builder (DayZ Tools' .p3d model editor) from the CLI, optionally pointed at a specific .p3d file or mod folder. Spawns detached so the shell returns immediately. Requires /dayz-setup-objectbuilder to have been run once on the machine. Replaces clicking through Steam → DayZ Tools → Object Builder → File → Open.

/dayz-launch-objectbuilder

Open Object Builder without leaving the terminal. Optionally pre-loads a .p3d, or sets the working folder to a specific mod's P:\<ModName>\ so the file dialog opens inside it.

Follow .claude/skills/_shared/dayz-conventions.md.

What it does​

  1. Gates on /dayz-preflight.
  2. Locates ObjectBuilder.exe via DayZ Tools.
  3. Verifies the registry has been populated by /dayz-setup-objectbuilder — fails with a clear hint if not.
  4. Resolves the open target:
    • --file <path> → opens that .p3d directly.
    • --mod <ModName> → sets working dir to P:\<ModName>\ so the open-dialog lands there.
    • Neither → no argument; Object Builder opens its last-used file.
  5. Spawns ObjectBuilder.exe with DETACHED_PROCESS so the shell returns immediately. The window may take 2-5s to appear.

How to run​

Just open the editor:

python .claude\skills\dayz-launch-objectbuilder\launch.py

Open a specific .p3d:

python .claude\skills\dayz-launch-objectbuilder\launch.py --file P:\MyMod\data\model.p3d

Open with a mod folder as working directory:

python .claude\skills\dayz-launch-objectbuilder\launch.py --mod MyMod

(Requires P:\MyMod\ to exist — typically created by /dayz-new-mod.)

When to run​

  • Anytime you need to inspect or edit a .p3d model.
  • After /dayz-new-mod produced a scaffold and you want to drop a model into data/.
  • Before adding LODs, named selections, or memory points to a custom asset.

Output​

DayZ Object Builder launcher

[OK]    P:\ mounted
[OK]    DayZ Tools: ...
[OK]    Vanilla data: P:\dz
[OK]    P:\Mods junction valid

[OK]    ObjectBuilder.exe: ...\Bin\ObjectBuilder\ObjectBuilder.exe
[OK]    Registry configured
[INFO]  Opening: P:\MyMod\data\model.p3d

[OK]    Object Builder launched (PID 12345). The window may take a few seconds to appear.

Flag rules​

  • --file and --mod are mutually exclusive — pass one or neither.
  • --file accepts an absolute path. Warns if the extension isn't .p3d (Object Builder may refuse).
  • --mod is just the mod name; the skill expands to P:\<ModName>\. Fails fast if the folder isn't there.

Why detached​

Running Object Builder under the parent shell would block the terminal until you close the editor. We spawn with DETACHED_PROCESS | CREATE_NEW_PROCESS_GROUP so:

  • Closing this terminal doesn't kill Object Builder.
  • The skill exits immediately after the spawn.
  • The PID is printed so you can find/kill it later if needed.

Do not​

  • Don't run before /dayz-setup-objectbuilder on a fresh machine — the skill will tell you to run setup first.
  • Don't pass relative paths to --file unless you're sure of cwd — absolute paths are safer.
  • Don't spam-launch — Object Builder isn't designed to run multiple instances against the same file.