Chapter 19 Access Materials

The following instructions will show you how to access materials (tools and data) on AnVIL.


This will not work until your instructor has given you permission to spend money to “rent” the computers that will power your analyses (by adding you to a “Billing Project”).

On AnVIL, you access files and computers through Workspaces. Each Workspace functions almost like a mini code laboratory - it is a place where data can be examined, stored, and analyzed. The first thing we want to do is to copy or “clone” a Workspace to create a space for you to experiment. This will give you access to

  • the files you will need (data, code)
  • the computing environment you will use

Tip At this point, it might make things easier to open up a new window in your browser and split your screen. That way, you can follow along with this guide on one side and execute the steps on the other.

To clone an AnVIL Workspace:

  1. Open Terra - use a web browser to go to anvil.terra.bio

  2. In the drop-down menu on the left, navigate to “Workspaces”. Click the triple bar in the top left corner to access the menu. Click “Workspaces”.

    Screenshot of Terra drop-down menu. The "hamburger" button to extend the drop-down menu is highlighted, and the menu item "Workspaces" is highlighted.

  3. You are automatically directed to the “MY WORKSPACES” tab. Here you can see any Workspaces that have been shared with you, along with your permission level. Depending on how your instructor has set things up, you may or may not see any Workspaces in this tab.

    Screenshot of Terra Workspaces page with the "MY WORKSPACES" tab selected. The "MY WORKSPACES" tab and the column showing permission level are highlighted.

  4. Locate the Workspace specified by your instructor. (The images below show the SARS-CoV-2-Genome Workspace as an example, but you should look for the Workspace specified by your instructor.)

    1. If it has been shared with you ahead of time, it will appear in “MY WORKSPACES”.

    Screenshot of Terra Workspaces page with the "MY WORKSPACES" tab selected. The "MY WORKSPACES" tab and a Workspace name are highlighted.

    1. Otherwise, select the “PUBLIC” tab. In the top search bar, type the Workspace name specified by your instructor.

    Screenshot of Terra Workspaces page with the "PUBLIC" tab selected. The "PUBLIC" tab and search box are highlighted. The the user has typed in the term "sars". A Workspace related to SARS appears in the results.

    1. You can also go directly to the Workspace by clicking this link: ask your instructor.

  5. Clone the workspace by clicking the teardrop button (teardrop button). Select “Clone”. Or, if you have opened the Workspace, you can find the teardrop button on the top right of the Workspace.

    Screenshot showing the teardrop button. The button has been clicked revealing the "clone" option. The Clone option and the teardrop button are highlighted. Screenshot of the Dashboard for the Workspace that we want to clone. The teardrop button has been clicked to bring up the options. The "Clone" option from the list is highlighted.

  6. You will see a popup box appear, asking you to configure your Workspace

    1. Give your Workspace clone a name by adding an underscore (“_“) and your name. For example, "ExampleWorkspace_Firstname_Lastname".
    2. Select the Billing Project provided by your instructor.
    3. Leave the bottom two boxes as-is.
    4. Click “CLONE WORKSPACE”.

    Screenshot showing the "clone a workspace" popout. The Workspace name, Billing Project, and Clone Workspace button have been filled in and highlighted.

  7. The new Workspace should now show up under “MY WORKSPACES”. You now have your own copy of the Workspace to work in.

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