Nodo — How to Use

Last Updated: January 1, 2026

Nodo is a Revit add-in that generates Dynamo ZeroTouch node packages from any compiled AvantLeap C# DLL in four ribbon clicks — no manual stub writing required.

Prerequisites

  • Autodesk Revit 2023–2027 installed
  • Dynamo for Revit (bundled with Revit) present
  • A compiled AvantLeap C# add-in DLL (or any .NET DLL with public classes)

Step 1 — Analyze DLL

  1. In Revit, open the Avant Leap tab → Nodo panel.
  2. Click Analyze DLL.
  3. Select the .csproj file of your add-in project (or a compiled .dll directly).
  4. A selection window opens showing every public method, pre-scored by suitability:
    • Recommended — pure .NET/Dynamo types; ideal nodes
    • Mixed — some Revit API types; useful but may require Element.Id inputs
    • Revit-Heavy — all Revit API types; advanced use
    • Skip — inherited Object methods, lifecycle methods; pre-deselected
  5. Check or uncheck methods using the tabs, search box, and checkboxes.
  6. (Optional) Click Enhance with AI to rewrite descriptions in architect-friendly language. Configure your Claude or OpenAI key first via API Keys....
  7. Click Confirm Selection.

The manifest file {ProjectName}_nodes.json is saved to:

Documents\AvantLeap\Tools\Nodo\

Step 2 — Generate Nodes

  1. Click Generate Nodes.
  2. Select the manifest JSON file saved in Step 1.
  3. Choose an output folder (or accept the default).
  4. Nodo generates a ready-to-compile project:
    • {ClassName}Nodes.cs — ZeroTouch stub methods
    • {ProjectName}Nodes.csproj — references Dynamo NuGet packages
    • pkg.json — Dynamo package manifest
    • version.json — version tracking
    • CLAUDE.md — context file so Claude Code can assist with the generated project

Open the output folder in VS Code. Claude reads CLAUDE.md and can help fill any gaps.

Step 3 — Deploy Nodes

  1. Click Deploy Nodes.
  2. Select the generated project folder from Step 2.
  3. Nodo runs dotnet build -c Release and copies the DLL + pkg.json to:
    %APPDATA%\Dynamo\Dynamo Revit\3.x\packages\{ProjectName} Nodes\bin\
  4. Restart Revit and open Dynamo — the new nodes appear in the library browser under the project category.

Step 4 — Update Nodes

When your source add-in DLL is updated with new methods:

  1. Re-run Analyze DLL on the updated DLL to get a new manifest.
  2. Click Update Nodes.
  3. Select the new manifest and the existing generated project folder.
  4. Nodo diffs by method ID, appends new stub methods, and bumps the version.
  5. Re-run Deploy Nodes to push the update to Dynamo.

AI Description Enhancement

Nodo can rewrite technical method descriptions into plain BIM/AEC language using Claude or OpenAI.

To configure:

  1. In the Analyze DLL window, click API Keys....
  2. Enter your Anthropic Claude API key and/or OpenAI API key.
  3. Select your preferred provider.
  4. Click Save.

Keys are stored locally in Documents\AvantLeap\Tools\Nodo\nodo-settings.json.

Tips

  • Edit {ProjectName}_nodes.json in VS Code to refine descriptions, rename nodes (nodeName), or change output type overrides (output.overriddenTypeName) before generating.
  • Set include: false on any function to exclude it from stub generation.
  • The Dynamo packages path is auto-detected. To override it, set DynamoPackagesPath in nodo-settings.json.

Support

Visit avantleap.com/nodo/how-to-use for video walkthroughs and the latest documentation.