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Lab automation for airgapped instruments

Canto Workflow Buddy v3

A Windows desktop utility built for a BD Canto flow cytometer running on an airgapped lab network. It wraps my proprietary inbound/outbound batch scripts into a single control panel, making lab workflows easier and more reliable.

The app was built to work fully offline, with no installers or package managers required. It uses PowerShell + WPF for the UI, a borderless Edge host for animation, and file-based IPC to surface live status.

PowerShell WPF / XAML Offline Lab automation
Status character

The Canto Buddy mirrors live instrument state — try the buttons above.

Idle Running Success Failure

Interactive walkthrough

Tap each step

Workflow orchestration

The Buddy coordinates inbound and outbound Canto batch steps from one application shell, turning a manual script pipeline into a single workstream.

  • One-click job execution for sample prep, acquisition, and data export
  • Automated folder monitoring to detect completed runs and trigger follow-up actions
  • Human-readable status updates for locked-down lab operators

UI with low-risk polish

The UI is tailored for a restricted Windows lab PC: simple controls, large state labels, and an animated status character that reflects real runtime conditions.

  • WPF/XAML screen built for airgapped machines
  • Edge app host used for fast local animation and status feedback
  • Accessible, consistent flows for non-IT lab technicians

Airgapped constraints

This project needed to run in an isolated lab network with zero external dependency access, so every integration point is local and deterministic.

  • No external package managers or online services
  • File-based IPC between UI and monitoring layers
  • Robust fail/success handling for gated clinical workflows