SimPy - Discrete-Event Simulation

Overview

SimPy is a process-based discrete-event simulation framework based on standard Python. Use SimPy to model systems where entities (customers, vehicles, packets, etc.) interact with each other and compete for shared resources (servers, machines, bandwidth, etc.) over time.

Core capabilities:

• Process modeling using Python generator functions
• Shared resource management (servers, containers, stores)
• Event-driven scheduling and synchronization
• Real-time simulations synchronized with wall-clock time
• Comprehensive monitoring and data collection

When to Use This Skill

Use the SimPy skill when:

1. Modeling discrete-event systems - Systems where events occur at irregular intervals
2. Resource contention - Entities compete for limited resources (servers, machines, staff)
3. Queue analysis - Studying waiting lines, service times, and throughput
4. Process optimization - Analyzing manufacturing, logistics, or service processes
5. Network simulation - Packet routing, bandwidth allocation, latency analysis
6. Capacity planning - Determining optimal resource levels for desired performance
7. System validation - Testing system behavior before implementation

Not suitable for:

• Continuous simulations with fixed time steps (consider SciPy ODE solvers)
• Independent processes without resource sharing
• Pure mathematical optimization (consider SciPy optimize)

Quick Start

Basic Simulation Structure

import simpy

def process(env, name):
    """A simple process that waits and prints."""
    print(f'{name} starting at {env.now}')
    yield env.timeout(5)
    print(f'{name} finishing at {env.now}')

# Create environment
env = simpy.Environment()

# Start processes
env.process(process(env, 'Process 1'))
env.process(process(env, 'Process 2'))

# Run simulation
env.run(until=10)

Resource Usage Pattern

import simpy

def customer(env, name, resource):
    """Customer requests resource, uses it, then releases."""
    with resource.request() as req:
        yield req  # Wait for resource
        print(f'{name} got resource at {env.now}')
        yield env.timeout(3)  # Use resource
        print(f'{name} released resource at {env.now}')

env = simpy.Environment()
server = simpy.Resource(env, capacity=1)

env.process(customer(env, 'Customer 1', server))
env.process(customer(env, 'Customer 2', server))
env.run()

Core Concepts

1. Environment

The simulation environment manages time and schedules events.

import simpy

# Standard environment (runs as fast as possible)
env = simpy.Environment(initial_time=0)

# Real-time environment (synchronized with wall-clock)
import simpy.rt
env_rt = simpy.rt.RealtimeEnvironment(factor=1.0)

# Run simulation
env.run(until=100)  # Run until time 100
env.run()  # Run until no events remain

2. Processes

Processes are defined using Python generator functions (functions with yield statements).

def my_process(env, param1, param2):
    """Process that yields events to pause execution."""
    print(f'Starting at {env.now}')

    # Wait for time to pass
    yield env.timeout(5)

    print(f'Resumed at {env.now}')

    # Wait for another event
    yield env.timeout(3)

    print(f'Done at {env.now}')
    return 'result'

# Start the process
env.process(my_process(env, 'value1', 'value2'))

3. Events

Events are the fundamental mechanism for process synchronization. Processes yield events and resume when those events are triggered.

Common event types:

• env.timeout(delay) - Wait for time to pass
• resource.request() - Request a resource
• env.event() - Create a custom event
• env.process(func()) - Process as an event
• event1 & event2 - Wait for all events (AllOf)
• event1 | event2 - Wait for any event (AnyOf)

Resources

SimPy provides several resource types for different scenarios. For comprehensive details, see references/resources.md.

Resource Types Summary

Quick Reference

import simpy

env = simpy.Environment()

# Basic resource (e.g., servers)
resource = simpy.Resource(env, capacity=2)

# Priority resource
priority_resource = simpy.PriorityResource(env, capacity=1)

# Container (e.g., fuel tank)
fuel_tank = simpy.Container(env, capacity=100, init=50)

# Store (e.g., warehouse)
warehouse = simpy.Store(env, capacity=10)

Common Simulation Patterns

Pattern 1: Customer-Server Queue

import simpy
import random

def customer(env, name, server):
    arrival = env.now
    with server.request() as req:
        yield req
        wait = env.now - arrival
        print(f'{name} waited {wait:.2f}, served at {env.now}')
        yield env.timeout(random.uniform(2, 4))

def customer_generator(env, server):
    i = 0
    while True:
        yield env.timeout(random.uniform(1, 3))
        i += 1
        env.process(customer(env, f'Customer {i}', server))

env = simpy.Environment()
server = simpy.Resource(env, capacity=2)
env.process
how to use simpy
CursorClaude CodeClineCodexWindsurfGooseGitHub CopilotVS CodeGemini CLIKiloOpencodeKimi CLIRoo ClineAiderContinueZedBolt.newLovablev0Replit AgentSweepSmol DeveloperDevinCavemanAmpAntigravity
How to use simpy on Cursor
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1
Prerequisites
Before installing skills in Cursor, ensure your development environment meets these requirements:
›Cursor installed and configured on your development machine
›Node.js version 16.0+ with npm package manager (verify with node --version)
›Active project directory or workspace where you want to add simpy
2
Execute installation command
Execute the skills CLI command in your project's root directory to begin installation:
$npx skills add https://github.com/davila7/claude-code-templates --skill simpycopy
The skills CLI fetches simpy from GitHub repository davila7/claude-code-templates and configures it for Cursor.
3
Select Cursor when prompted
The CLI will show a list of available agents. Use arrow keys to navigate and space to select Cursor:
◆ Which agents do you want to install to?
│
│ ── Universal (.agents/skills) ── always included ────
│   • Amp
│   • Antigravity
│   • Cline
│   • Codex
│ ●Cursor(selected)
│   • Cursor
│   • Windsurf
4
Verify installation
Confirm successful installation by checking the skill directory location:
.cursor/skills/simpy
Reload or restart Cursor to activate simpy. Access the skill through slash commands (e.g., /simpy) or your agent's skill management interface.
⚠
Security & Verification Notice
We perform automated surface-level scans (Gen AI Scanner, Socket, Snyk) during installation. These checks detect common vulnerabilities but do not guarantee complete security. Always review skill source code and verify the publisher's reputation before production use.
Skills execute code in your development environment. Always verify the publisher's identity, review recent commits, and test in isolated environments before production deployment.
Additional Resources
›View source code on GitHub›Skills CLI documentation›Learn more about Cursor›What are agent skills?