A comprehensive technical specification for the XML-based .vl file format used to encode visual dataflow programs in vvvv gamma.
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1. ClawHub CLI
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npx clawhub@latest install vvvv-fileformat
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What is vvvv gamma File Format (.vl)?
This skill provides an in-depth analysis of the .vl file format, which is the underlying XML structure for vvvv gamma visual programming. It covers the root Document architecture, the unique base62 GUID ID system, and the complex NodeReference patterns required for operation calls and type definitions. By leveraging Openclaw Skills, developers can programmatically interface with vvvv patches to automate development workflows.
The guide ensures that AI agents and developers understand how visual elements like Pins, Pads (IOBoxes), and Links are serialized. It emphasizes the importance of the property namespace and the specific lifecycle fragments (Create and Update) that govern how vvvv gamma processes execute logic at runtime.
vvvv gamma File Format (.vl) Use Cases
- Programmatically generating .vl patches for rapid prototyping using Openclaw Skills.
- Automating the refactoring of large vvvv gamma projects by parsing and modifying XML nodes.
- Developing custom CLI tools to validate dependencies and GUID uniqueness in .vl files.
- Assisting AI coding agents in understanding visual dataflow logic for code generation or bug fixing.
How vvvv gamma File Format (.vl) Works
- The document starts with a root XML element containing specific namespaces like p:property and a unique 22-character base62 ID.
- External dependencies (NuGet, Documents, or Platform DLLs) are declared at the Document level before the main Patch starts.
- A top-level Patch is defined, typically containing an Application Node which serves as the entry point.
- Nodes are placed within a Canvas, using NodeReferences and Choice elements to define whether they are stateful processes or stateless operations.
- Logic is connected via Link elements that use a comma-separated ID string, strictly following the 'source,sink' order.
- State and lifecycle are managed through ProcessDefinitions and Fragments that map specific patches to execution stages like Create or Update.
vvvv gamma File Format (.vl) Setup
To implement this format in your project, ensure your environment can generate base62 GUIDs.
# Standard ID generation requires 22-character base62 strings
# Example logic (C#): GUIDEncoders.GuidTobase62(Guid.NewGuid())
Ensure your XML writer includes the following root attributes:
xmlns:p="property"Version="0.128"LanguageVersionmatching your vvvv gamma target version.
vvvv gamma File Format (.vl) Data Schema & Taxonomy
The .vl format organizes data into a hierarchical XML structure:
| Element | Purpose | Critical Attributes |
|---|---|---|
Document |
Root element | Id, LanguageVersion, Version |
Patch |
Logic container | Id, Name |
Node |
Functional unit | Id, Bounds, Name |
Pin |
Data I/O | Id, Name, Kind |
Link |
Connection | Id, Ids (source,sink) |
Pad |
Value storage | isIOBox, Value, ShowValueBox |
vvvv gamma File Format (.vl) Advanced Features
- Generic type support via TypeAnnotation and TypeArguments for complex collections like Spread
. - ControlPoint management for routing data flow through StatefulRegions like If, ForEach, and Cache blocks.
- Slot element definitions for managing internal state fields within custom class or record definitions.
- Feedback loop implementation using the IsFeedback attribute on Links to handle recursive logic safely.
- Extension of Openclaw Skills to support custom metadata tagging within the visual patch for enhanced agent searchability.
SKILL.md
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