Utilize the IDAPython API to automate binary analysis, type system manipulation, and function identification in IDA Pro.

Install

mkdir -p .claude/skills/idapython && curl -L -o skill.zip "https://agentskills.codes/api/skills/download/2164" && unzip -o skill.zip -d .claude/skills/idapython && rm skill.zip

Installs to .claude/skills/idapython

Activation

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IDA Pro Python scripting for reverse engineering. Use when writing IDAPython scripts, analyzing binaries, working with IDA's API for disassembly, decompilation (Hex-Rays), type systems, cross-references, functions, segments, or any IDA database manipulation. Covers ida_* modules (50+), idautils iterators, and common patterns.
327 chars✓ has a “when” triggerlonger than Claude Code's old 250-char listing cap (fine on current versions)
Advanced

Key capabilities

  • Automate binary analysis
  • Parse function segments
  • Extract cross-references
  • Script decompiler output analysis
  • Manipulate IDA database data

How it works

The skill provides a reference for using modern ida_* modules to interact with IDA Pro's internal APIs for disassembly, decompilation, and data manipulation. It emphasizes using idautils iterators and specific module functions like ida_hexrays for ctree traversal.

Inputs & outputs

You give it
IDA database file
You get back
Automated analysis reports or modified database state

When to use idapython

  • Automate binary analysis
  • Parse function segments
  • Extract cross-references
  • Script decompiler output analysis

About this skill

IDAPython

Use modern ida_* modules. Avoid legacy idc module.

Module Router

TaskModuleKey Items
Bytes/memoryida_bytesget_bytes, patch_bytes, get_flags, create_*
Functionsida_funcsfunc_t, get_func, add_func, get_func_name
Namesida_nameset_name, get_name, demangle_name
Typesida_typeinftinfo_t, apply_tinfo, parse_decl
Decompilerida_hexraysdecompile, cfunc_t, lvar_t, ctree visitor
Segmentsida_segmentsegment_t, getseg, add_segm
Xrefsida_xrefxrefblk_t, add_cref, add_dref
Instructionsida_uainsn_t, op_t, decode_insn
Stack framesida_frameget_frame, define_stkvar
IterationidautilsFunctions(), Heads(), XrefsTo(), Strings()
UI/dialogsida_kernwinmsg, ask_*, jumpto, Choose
Database infoida_idainf_get_*, inf_is_64bit()
Analysisida_autoauto_wait, plan_and_wait
Flow graphsida_gdlFlowChart, BasicBlock
Register trackingida_regfinderfind_reg_value, reg_value_info_t

Core Patterns

Iterate functions

for ea in idautils.Functions():
    name = ida_funcs.get_func_name(ea)
    func = ida_funcs.get_func(ea)

Iterate instructions in function

for head in idautils.FuncItems(func_ea):
    insn = ida_ua.insn_t()
    if ida_ua.decode_insn(insn, head):
        print(f"{head:#x}: {insn.itype}")

Cross-references

for xref in idautils.XrefsTo(ea):
    print(f"{xref.frm:#x} -> {xref.to:#x} type={xref.type}")

Read/write bytes

data = ida_bytes.get_bytes(ea, size)
ida_bytes.patch_bytes(ea, b"\x90\x90")

Names

name = ida_name.get_name(ea)
ida_name.set_name(ea, "new_name", ida_name.SN_NOCHECK)

Decompile function

cfunc = ida_hexrays.decompile(ea)
if cfunc:
    print(cfunc)  # pseudocode
    for lvar in cfunc.lvars:
        print(f"{lvar.name}: {lvar.type()}")

Walk ctree (decompiled AST)

class MyVisitor(ida_hexrays.ctree_visitor_t):
    def visit_expr(self, e):
        if e.op == ida_hexrays.cot_call:
            print(f"Call at {e.ea:#x}")
        return 0

cfunc = ida_hexrays.decompile(ea)
MyVisitor().apply_to(cfunc.body, None)

Apply type

tif = ida_typeinf.tinfo_t()
if ida_typeinf.parse_decl(tif, None, "int (*)(char *, int)", 0):
    ida_typeinf.apply_tinfo(ea, tif, ida_typeinf.TINFO_DEFINITE)

Create structure

udt = ida_typeinf.udt_type_data_t()
m = ida_typeinf.udm_t()
m.name = "field1"
m.type = ida_typeinf.tinfo_t(ida_typeinf.BTF_INT32)
m.offset = 0
m.size = 4
udt.push_back(m)
tif = ida_typeinf.tinfo_t()
tif.create_udt(udt, ida_typeinf.BTF_STRUCT)
tif.set_named_type(ida_typeinf.get_idati(), "MyStruct")

Strings list

for s in idautils.Strings():
    print(f"{s.ea:#x}: {str(s)}")

Wait for analysis

ida_auto.auto_wait()  # Block until autoanalysis completes

Key Constants

ConstantValue/Use
BADADDRInvalid address sentinel
ida_name.SN_NOCHECKSkip name validation
ida_typeinf.TINFO_DEFINITEForce type application
o_reg, o_mem, o_imm, o_displ, o_nearOperand types
dt_byte, dt_word, dt_dword, dt_qwordData types
fl_CF, fl_CN, fl_JF, fl_JN, fl_FCode xref types
dr_R, dr_W, dr_OData xref types

Critical Rules

  1. NEVER convert hex/decimal manually — use int_convert MCP tool
  2. Wait for analysis: Call ida_auto.auto_wait() before reading results
  3. Thread safety: IDA SDK calls must run on main thread (use @idasync)
  4. 64-bit addresses: Always assume ea_t can be 64-bit

Anti-Patterns

AvoidDo Instead
idc.* functionsUse ida_* modules
Hardcoded addressesUse names, patterns, or xrefs
Manual hex conversionUse int_convert tool
Blocking main threadUse execute_sync() for long ops
Guessing at typesDerive from disassembly/decompilation

Detailed API Reference

For comprehensive documentation on any module, read docs/<module>.md:

  • High-use: ida_bytes, ida_funcs, ida_hexrays, ida_typeinf, ida_name, idautils
  • Medium-use: ida_segment, ida_xref, ida_ua, ida_frame, ida_kernwin
  • Specialized: ida_dbg (debugger), ida_nalt (netnode storage), ida_regfinder (register tracking)

Full RST sources from hex-rays.com available at docs/<module>.rst.

When not to use it

  • When using legacy idc module functions
  • When performing operations that block the main thread without using execute_sync

Prerequisites

IDA ProPython environment

Limitations

  • Requires main thread for SDK calls
  • Must wait for auto-analysis completion
  • Requires 64-bit address awareness

How it compares

Unlike manual analysis or legacy scripting, this approach uses modern, thread-safe ida_* modules and standardized patterns for database automation.

Compared to similar skills

idapython side by side with the closest alternatives in the catalog.

SkillInstallsUpdatedSafetyDifficulty
idapython (this skill)47moNo flagsAdvanced
skills027dReviewIntermediate
ctf-crypto35moNo flagsAdvanced
constant-time-analysis12moReviewAdvanced

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