Navigating large molecular systems and constantly switching between visual representations or performing repetitive cleaning tasks can be slow and unintuitive — especially when done through nested menus and buttons. If you’ve ever wished you could simply tell your modeling platform what to do, you’re not alone.
This is where the /do command in SAMSON AI offers an elegant and time-saving solution. It lets you type (or say) natural language instructions to perform actions instantly, reducing friction in your workflow and helping you stay focused on your scientific goals.
What is the /do command?
/do is a built-in command in SAMSON AI that allows you to execute actions with plain English. It’s like having a voice-activated lab assistant for your molecular modeling — only this one doesn’t spill chemicals.
You can use /do to:
- Zoom to specific parts of your model
- Select molecular regions (like ligands or binding sites)
- Change visual styles, like applying licorice or Van der Waals models
- Remove solvent molecules with a single line
- Clean up your working scene (e.g., deleting all surfaces)
Examples you can try
Here are a few examples of useful day-to-day commands that are often buried under UI layers, but can now be executed instantly:
/do zoom to the binding site./do select the ligand and apply a licorice model./do erase all surfaces./do remove water./do select the gaussian surface and make it light blue.
Imagine doing all this without any menus, and no clicking — just typing (or saying) simple instructions. Note that if you’re using a microphone, you can even speak your commands aloud by starting with the word “do.” That’s a productivity boost with minimal learning curve.
Who benefits the most?
If you’re a structural biologist, computational chemist, or molecular educator, you’ll likely find the /do command especially helpful when dealing with large protein-ligand complexes or preparing scenes for publication. It’s particularly valuable when you want repeatable, consistent actions across multiple files or visualization sessions.
Small feature, big time-saver
It might seem like a small addition, but being able to trigger frequently-used actions with natural commands removes a significant number of daily interruptions. Less clicking and more modeling means higher productivity and less fatigue over time.
Here’s how the Assistant command interface looks like in SAMSON AI:
Final thoughts
Automating your modeling workflow through natural language interactions helps you reclaim your time and focus on thinking rather than clicking. If you’re working in molecular design and structure analysis, this can make your day-to-day work smoother and more efficient.
You can open SAMSON AI via Interface > Assistant, or use the Ctrl+0 (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+0 (Mac) shortcut.
To explore everything SAMSON AI can do, visit the full documentation here: https://documentation.samson-connect.net/users/latest/samson-ai/
SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. You can get SAMSON at https://www.samson-connect.net.