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RAS Commander

RAS Commander Logo

An open-source project of CLB Engineering Corporation
LLM-Forward Engineering Solutions

RAS Commander is a Python library for automating HEC-RAS (Hydrologic Engineering Center's River Analysis System) operations. It provides a comprehensive API for interacting with HEC-RAS project files, executing simulations, and processing results through HDF data analysis. Developed by CLB Engineering Corporation using the LLM Forward approach, ras-commander represents the most comprehensive open-source HEC-RAS automation solution available.

Key Features

  • Plan Execution

    Execute single plans, run multiple plans in parallel, or queue sequential computations with full control over cores and resources.

  • HDF Data Access

    Extract and analyze 1D/2D results directly from HDF files - water surfaces, velocities, depths, and more.

  • Geometry Operations

    Parse and modify geometry files including cross-sections, storage areas, connections, and inline structures.

  • Infrastructure Analysis

    Work with pipe networks, pump stations, dam breaches, and hydraulic structures.

  • Legacy Support

    COM interface support for HEC-RAS 3.x-6.x via the RasControl class.

  • Remote Execution

    Distribute computations across multiple machines using PsExec, Docker, or SSH workers.

  • Geometry Repair

    Automatically detect and fix common geometry issues like overlapping blocked obstructions with engineering-grade verification outputs.

Quick Install

Bash
pip install --upgrade ras-commander

Quick Start

Python
from ras_commander import init_ras_project, RasCmdr, ras

# Initialize a project
init_ras_project("/path/to/project", "6.5")

# View available plans
print(ras.plan_df)

# Execute a plan
success = RasCmdr.compute_plan("01")

Why RAS Commander?

  • Pythonic API: Modern Python interface using pandas DataFrames, pathlib, and type hints
  • No COM Required: Direct file and HDF access without Windows COM dependencies (for most operations)
  • AI-Friendly: Extensive documentation and examples optimized for LLM-assisted development
  • Test-Driven: All features demonstrated with real HEC-RAS example projects
  • Open Source: MIT licensed, community contributions welcome

Getting Help

About CLB Engineering

CLB Engineering Corporation

RAS Commander is a free and open-source project of CLB Engineering Corporation, the creators of the LLM Forward engineering framework. Within two years, CLB built the most robust and feature-complete HEC-RAS and HEC-HMS automation solution on the open internet -- proving that licensed professional engineers working alongside Large Language Models can create extraordinary value in compressed timeframes.

For agencies and organizations looking to modernize H&H workflows: Contact CLB Engineering to partner with the early LLM pioneers who are redefining what's possible in hydraulic engineering automation.

Learn more: LLM Forward Engineering | CLB Engineering

Acknowledgments

RAS Commander builds on work from:

CLB Engineering Corporation  ·  LLM Forward Engineering
RAS Commander is a free and open-source project maintained by CLB Engineering Corporation. For agencies and firms seeking to modernize H&H workflows with LLM Forward approaches, contact CLB to partner with the engineers who wrote the automation.