Project Title Development of Adobe Photoshop UXP Plugin for Automated Astrophotography Layer Processing Objective Design a UXP plugin with a single-button panel to automate TIFF import from a user-selected folder, layer identification by name, conditional group construction (up to 11 groups, skipping absent base layers without errors), and application of predefined Photoshop actions via batchPlay for configurations. Predefined actions function effectively post-correct ordering but lack adaptability for missing images and presume user familiarity with layer/group mappings; the script must incorporate conditional logic to enhance flexibility and autonomy.   Required Skills • Good proficiency in Adobe Photoshop UXP scripting (JavaScript with batchPlay API) is essential for fast delivery, enabling efficient DOM manipulation, layer/group handling, adjustment layer creation (e.g., Hue/Saturation, Levels, Color Balance), clipping masks, and blend modes; intermediate level suffices, requiring solid JavaScript foundation and familiarity with web technologies like HTML/CSS for UXP contexts.    • Expertise in converting .atn actions to batchPlay code, utilizing tools such as Alchemist for extraction and integration.   • Competence in file dialogs, TIFF import automation, and promise-based asynchronous operations in UXP environments. Core Functionality • Implement a minimal UXP panel with initiation button. • Invoke folder selection dialog; filter and import solely .tif/.tiff files as layers in a new document. • Parse layer names for base layer detection (e.g., “Starless_Ha.tif”); conditionally omit groups if bases are absent, maintaining error-free execution. • Translate predefined actions to batchPlay for group setups, ensuring variable image handling and precise top-to-bottom ordering: Annotation, Stars, Global Adjustments (mandatory), Hydrogen, Oxygen, Sulfur, HOO, Narrowband RGB, Luminosity, RGB, RGB Combined. Detailed Group Specifications Groups feature clipped adjustments, collapsed states, and defined blend modes. Converted actions apply defaults or specifics (e.g., colorize parameters: Hue 180/240/0, Saturation 100, Lightness -50; 0.01% auto white clipping in Levels). • Annotation: Screen; original Annotation.tif (required). • Stars: Screen; Hue/Saturation (default), Levels (default), Stars_HOO_Combined.tif, Stars_RGB_Combined.tif (Color blend) (required both). • Global Adjustments: Pass Through; Hue/Saturation, Color Balance, blank pixel (Soft Light), Levels (defaults) (always created). • Hydrogen: Screen; Colorize Hue/Saturation, Levels (default), blank pixel (Soft Light), Levels (0.01% clipping), Starless_Ha.tif (required). • Oxygen: Screen; Colorize Hue/Saturation, Levels (default), blank pixel (Soft Light), Levels (0.01% clipping), Starless_OIII.tif (required). • Sulfur: Screen; Colorize Hue/Saturation, Levels (default), blank pixel (Soft Light), Levels (0.01% clipping), Starless_SII.tif (required). • HOO: Screen; Hue/Saturation (default), Color Balance (default), Levels (default), Levels (0.01% clipping), Starless_HOO_Combined.tif (required). • Narrowband RGB: Screen; Hue/Saturation, Color Balance, Levels (default), blank pixel (Soft Light), Levels (0.01% clipping), Starless_NB_RGB.tif (required). • Luminosity: Luminosity; Levels (default), blank pixel (Soft Light), Levels (0.01% clipping), Starless_L.tif (required). • RGB: Normal; Hue/Saturation, Color Balance, Levels (default), blank pixel (Soft Light), Levels (0.01% clipping), Starless_L_RGB.tif (required). • RGB Combined: Normal; Hue/Saturation, Color Balance, Levels (default), blank pixel (Soft Light), Levels (0.01% clipping), Starless_RGB_Combined.tif (required). Deliverables • Operational UXP plugin (manifest, commented JavaScript with batchPlay integrations, basic UI). • Compatibility tested on Photoshop 2024+.   • Installation guide and action conversion documentation. Pre-Project Discussion Prior to award, a discussion phase is mandatory to verify comprehension of specifications, clarify queries, and confirm alignment, ensuring efficient execution per Freelancer best practices for detailed descriptions and communication.    Estimated Timeline and Milestones • Prototype (import/ordering/action application): 2-3 hours. • Complete build with conditionals/testing: 1-2 additional hours, under 5 hours total for proficient developer, leveraging actions for acceleration.