ena-database

Access ENA resources via REST APIs and FTP for automated genomics pipelines.

94|11|Updated Mar 26, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/swaruplab/operon --skill ena-database-swaruplab
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: ena-database
Source: https://github.com/swaruplab/operon/tree/main/src-tauri/protocols/ena-database
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/swaruplab/operon --skill ena-database-swaruplab

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

💡 This Skill includes references (resource) components.

What problem does it solve?

Access ENA data via API/FTP to retrieve nucleotide sequences, raw reads, and genome assemblies for genomics workflows, reducing manual search and data wrangling.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • REST Portal, Browser, Taxonomy, and Cross-Reference endpoints for searching, filtering, and retrieving records.
  • Metadata and file retrieval in XML/JSON/TSV and bulk downloads via FTP/Aspera.
  • Use cases: Build automated pipelines to fetch study, sample, run, and assembly data by accession.

Quick Start

Fetch a sample by accession using the ENA Browser API and download its FASTQ files.

Frequently Asked Questions about ena-database

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

FAQPage Schema
How do I programmatically access ENA data for a genomics pipeline?

You can programmatically access ENA data using REST APIs and FTP to retrieve studies, samples, runs, and assemblies by accession for integration into automated genomics workflows, reducing manual data wrangling.

What ENA API endpoints are available for searching and retrieving nucleotide sequences?

Available ENA endpoints include the Portal, Browser, Taxonomy, and Cross-Reference APIs, which support searching and filtering nucleotide sequence records, genome assemblies, and raw reads.

What data formats does the ENA REST API output for pipeline integration?

The ENA REST API outputs metadata and file retrieval results in JSON, XML, or TSV formats, ensuring structured data integration directly into automated bioinformatics pipelines.

Can I use ENA bulk download via FTP and Aspera for large datasets?

Yes, ENA bulk downloads are supported via FTP and Aspera, enabling efficient retrieval of large datasets like raw reads and genome assemblies for automated workflows.

How does ENA API pagination and retry guidance work for reliable automation?

The Skill imposes standard API usage patterns to handle ENA API pagination automatically and provides retry guidance, ensuring reliable automation when fetching large volumes of records.

When should I use the ENA Browser API versus the Taxonomy endpoint?

Use the ENA Browser API to fetch specific records by accession, while the Taxonomy endpoint is suited for searching and filtering records based on taxonomic classifications.