vdb

Query genomic datasets via labretriever VirtualDB views in DuckDB.

2|Updated Mar 23, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/cmatKhan/labretriever --skill vdb
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent▼
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: vdb
Source: https://github.com/cmatKhan/labretriever/tree/main/skills/vdb
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/cmatKhan/labretriever --skill vdb

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

💡 This Skill includes references (resource) components.

What problem does it solve?

labretriever's VirtualDB provides a unified SQL interface over genomic and transcriptomic datasets hosted on HuggingFace, enabling researchers to query, explore, and compare datasets without manual data wrangling.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Discover datasets via list_datasets and inspect schemas with describe_dataset and describe_dataset_meta.
  • Retrieve semantic metadata with get_column_metadata and provenance tags via get_tags.
  • Execute SQL queries against the two views named after the dataset and its _meta counterpart using vdb.query, and reproduce MCP results in Python when needed.

Quick Start

Connect to the MCP server and run a sample query using vdb.query.

Frequently Asked Questions about vdb

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I query genomic datasets hosted on HuggingFace using SQL?▼

You can query genomic datasets hosted on HuggingFace using SQL by leveraging VirtualDB views in DuckDB. This provides a unified SQL interface over heterogeneous genomic resources, enabling you to execute queries without manual data wrangling.

What is the best way to discover and inspect schemas of transcriptomic datasets?▼

To discover transcriptomic datasets and inspect their schemas, use list_datasets to find available resources and describe_dataset to inspect schemas. You can also retrieve semantic metadata using get_column_metadata and provenance tags via get_tags.

Do I need a labretriever MCP server to query genomic data with DuckDB?▼

Yes, you need a connected labretriever MCP server and a valid VirtualDB config to query genomic data with DuckDB. These prerequisites allow you to access the '{name}' and '{name}_meta' views and execute SQL queries using the vdb.query helper tool.

Can I compare schemas across heterogeneous HuggingFace datasets without downloading them?▼

Yes, VirtualDB provides a unified SQL interface over HuggingFace-hosted datasets, letting you explore and compare schemas directly. You can use describe_dataset and describe_dataset_meta to inspect structures and retrieve metadata without downloading entire datasets.

How do I execute SQL queries across HuggingFace resources and reproduce the results in Python?▼

You execute SQL queries across HuggingFace resources using vdb.query against the '{name}' and '{name}_meta' views in DuckDB. The Skill also supports reproducing MCP results in Python when needed for downstream analysis or validation.