A universal framework for t-channel dark matter models

We present the DMSimpt model implementation in FeynRules, which aims to offer a unique general framework allowing for all simulations relevant for simplified $t$-channel dark matter models at colliders and for the complementary cosmology calculations. We describe how to match next-to-leading-order QCD fixed-order calculations with parton showers to derive robust bounds and predictions in the context of LHC dark matter searches, and moreover validate two model restrictions (relevant for Dirac and Majorana fermionic dark matter respectively) to exemplify how to evaluate dark matter observables to constrain the model parameter space. More importantly, we emphasise how to achieve these results by using a combination of publicly available automated tools, and discuss how dark matter predictions are sensitive to the model file and software setup. All files, together with illustrative Mathematica notebooks, are available from the URL http://feynrules.irmp.ucl.ac.be/wiki/DMsimpt.