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download-resource

Download raw CSV, GeoJSON, Shapefile, PDF, and GBFS files from Montréal's open data portal.

1|Updated Mar 13, 2026
Search Tags:#csv#download#geojson#open data#ckan#shapefile#montreal
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/alistaircroll/montreal-open-data --skill download-resource-alistaircroll
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent▼
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: download-resource
Source: https://github.com/alistaircroll/montreal-open-data/tree/main/skills/core/download-resource
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/alistaircroll/montreal-open-data --skill download-resource-alistaircroll

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve? Many resources on Montréal's open data portal are not available through the DataStore query API, so you need a reliable way to locate download URLs and fetch raw files like GeoJSON, Shapefiles, PDFs, and large CSVs directly. ## Core Features & Use Cases - Download URL Discovery: Inspect a dataset's resources via the CKAN package_show API to find formats, sizes, and direct download links. - Format-Specific Handling: Guidance for loading CSV with pandas, GeoJSON and Shapefiles with geopandas, GBFS live feeds for BIXI, and GTFS data for STM transit. - Large File Strategy: Advice for caching, previewing, and loading multi-hundred-megabyte datasets like the 135 MB tree inventory into local storage or SQLite. - Use Case: You want to map every public tree in Montréal. Use this Skill to find the tree inventory CSV URL, download the full 333,556-row file with curl, and load it into geopandas for mapping. ## Quick Start Download the full Montréal public tree inventory CSV from the open data portal and load it into a pandas DataFrame.

Frequently Asked Questions about download-resource

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

FAQPage Schema
How do I download a dataset from the Montréal open data portal?▼

Query the CKAN package_show API with the dataset slug to list resources and their URLs, then download with curl using the -L flag to follow redirects. Some URLs redirect, so omitting -L can result in empty or failed downloads.

When should I download a file instead of using the DataStore API?▼

Download when you need GeoJSON for mapping, Shapefiles for GIS, PDF documentation, GBFS live feeds, or the full dataset. The DataStore API limits queries to 32,000 rows, so large datasets are often simpler to download as complete CSVs.

How do I open a Shapefile downloaded from the portal?▼

Shapefiles download as ZIP archives containing .shp, .dbf, .prj, and .shx files. Unzip first, then load with geopandas using gpd.read_file. Coordinates are typically NAD 83 MTM Zone 8 (EPSG:32188).

Can I download BIXI bike-share data as a file?▼

BIXI data is not a downloadable file but a live GBFS REST API at gbfs.velobixi.com. Fetch station_information.json for locations and capacity, or station_status.json for real-time availability.

What is the row limit for querying versus downloading Montréal datasets?▼

The DataStore API caps results at 32,000 rows per query, requiring pagination for larger sets. Downloading the full CSV avoids this limit, which matters for datasets like the 333,556-row tree inventory.

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