gdal-spatial

Inspect and convert remote geospatial data via GDAL VSI prefixes.

4|1|Updated Feb 24, 2026

Search Tags:#geospatial #remote-data #gdal #ogr2ogr #ogrinfo #vsicurl #vsis3

Ready to run

npx skills add https://github.com/boettiger-lab/agent-skills --skill gdal-spatial

💬 Prompt for ChatGPT / Claude Chat▼

Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: gdal-spatial
Source: https://github.com/boettiger-lab/agent-skills/tree/main/gdal-spatial
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/boettiger-lab/agent-skills --skill gdal-spatial

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

## What problem does it solve? This Skill helps analysts access and inspect remote geospatial data without downloading large files, leveraging GDAL's VSI prefixes to read from HTTP or S3 endpoints directly.

## Core Features & Use Cases

Inspect remote datasets using ogrinfo with /vsicurl/ or /vsis3/.
Convert remote datasets to GeoParquet, GeoJSON, or GeoPackage using ogr2ogr and GDAL tools.
Handle edge cases like private buckets with credentials, streaming output, and mixed geometry types.

### Quick Start Inspect a remote dataset using /vsicurl/ and summarize its layers with ogrinfo.

Frequently Asked Questions about gdal-spatial

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

FAQPage Schema

How do I read remote geospatial data from an HTTP or S3 endpoint without downloading it?▼

To read remote geospatial data without downloading, use GDAL VSI prefixes like /vsicurl/ for HTTP endpoints and /vsis3/ for S3. This streams data on demand, letting you inspect or convert large datasets directly from remote sources.

Can I inspect a remote Shapefile or GDB using ogrinfo?▼

Yes, you can inspect remote formats like Shapefile, GDB, and GeoTIFF using ogrinfo. Prefix the remote URL with /vsicurl/ or /vsis3/ to read dataset layers and attributes directly without local downloads.

How do I convert a remote GeoTIFF to GeoParquet using ogr2ogr?▼

Convert remote GeoTIFF to GeoParquet by running ogr2ogr with the input path prefixed by /vsicurl/ or /vsis3/. This avoids downloading large source files, outputting the converted GeoParquet, GeoJSON, or GeoPackage format locally.

Does GDAL VSI support reading from private S3 buckets?▼

Yes, GDAL VSI supports reading from private S3 buckets using /vsis3/. You must provide appropriate credentials to handle edge cases like authentication, streaming output, and mixed geometry types during remote access.

What is the best way to access large remote geospatial datasets without downloading entire files?▼

The best way to access large remote geospatial datasets without downloading is using GDAL VSI prefixes. Tools like ogrinfo and ogr2ogr read data on demand over HTTP or S3, enabling inspection and conversion efficiently.

Do I need a specific GDAL installation to use VSI prefixes for remote data?▼

Yes, you need a GDAL installation built with VSI support to use prefixes like /vsicurl/ and /vsis3/. This enables direct streaming access and conversion of remote GDB, Shapefile, GeoTIFF, and GeoParquet datasets.