cellxgene-census

Query the CELLxGENE Census for single-cell gene expression data and metadata.

1|Updated Mar 12, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/yf8578/clawomics --skill cellxgene-census-yf8578
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: cellxgene-census
Source: https://github.com/yf8578/clawomics/tree/main/skills/cellxgene-census
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/yf8578/clawomics --skill cellxgene-census-yf8578

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

💡 This Skill requires cellxgene-census, and includes references (resource) components.

What problem does it solve?

This Skill provides programmatic access to the vast CELLxGENE Census, enabling users to query and analyze millions of single-cell gene expression datasets without needing to download them individually.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Massive Data Access: Query over 61 million cells from human and mouse.
  • Programmatic Querying: Filter cells by cell type, tissue, disease, and more.
  • Integration: Seamlessly works with Python analysis tools like Scanpy and PyTorch.
  • Use Case: You need to find all human B cells in lung tissue from COVID-19 patients to study their gene expression patterns. This Skill can efficiently retrieve that specific subset of data for your analysis.

Quick Start

Use the cellxgene-census skill to load AnnData for human cells where the cell type is 'B cell' and the tissue is 'lung'.

Frequently Asked Questions about cellxgene-census

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

FAQPage Schema
How do I query single-cell gene expression data from millions of cells without downloading entire datasets?

Querying the CELLxGENE Census allows you to programmatically filter millions of single-cell genomics records by cell type, tissue, and disease, retrieving specific subsets without downloading individual datasets. It uses the SOMA API for efficient data subsetting and retrieval.

What is the best way to retrieve human B cells in lung tissue from COVID-19 patients for genomics analysis?

The best way to retrieve specific cell subsets like human B cells in lung tissue from COVID-19 patients is to use the CELLxGENE Census to programmatically filter metadata and gene expression data. This enables efficient subsetting of the single-cell genomics dataset for targeted analysis.

Do I need the cellxgene-census library to access Census data, and does it work with Python analysis tools?

Yes, you need the cellxgene-census library to interact with the SOMA API for Census data access. The retrieved single-cell genomics data seamlessly integrates with Python analysis tools like Scanpy and PyTorch for downstream machine learning and analysis.

How does programmatic querying of the CELLxGENE Census handle population-scale single-cell datasets?

Programmatic querying of the CELLxGENE Census handles population-scale single-cell datasets by providing access to over 61 million human and mouse cells. It allows you to efficiently filter and retrieve gene expression data and metadata across the entire dataset for large-scale analysis.

Can I load AnnData objects directly from the CELLxGENE Census for specific cell types and tissues?

Yes, you can load AnnData objects directly from the CELLxGENE Census by filtering for specific cell types, such as 'B cell', and tissues, like 'lung'. This allows you to retrieve precisely subsetted single-cell gene expression data ready for analysis.