kegg-database

Automate KEGG REST API queries for pathway and gene data.

1|Updated Mar 19, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/JosephWoodall/noosphere --skill kegg-database-josephwoodall
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: kegg-database
Source: https://github.com/JosephWoodall/noosphere/tree/main/.agent/skills/kegg-database
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/JosephWoodall/noosphere --skill kegg-database-josephwoodall

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

💡 This Skill includes scripts (resource) and references (resource) components.

What problem does it solve?

Directly access KEGG REST API for pathway and gene data, removing manual HTTP handling and enabling integration into Python workflows.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Python helper functions (kegg_api.py) for common KEGG operations: info, list, find, get, conv, link, and ddi.
  • Use cases include querying pathways, mapping genes to pathways, converting IDs, and retrieving pathway maps, with support for batch queries (up to 10 entries) and organism-specific data.
  • Real-world example: build a small pipeline that fetches human pathway maps and cross-references genes to KO groups for enrichment analysis.

Quick Start

Invoke kegg_info('pathway') to fetch basic pathway metadata.

Frequently Asked Questions about kegg-database

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

FAQPage Schema
How do I query KEGG pathway data programmatically in Python?

You can query KEGG pathway data programmatically using Python helper functions that wrap the KEGG REST API. This Skill provides kegg_info, kegg_list, kegg_find, and kegg_get operations to fetch pathway and gene information with input validation and batch support.

Can I map genes to pathways and convert IDs across organisms with the KEGG REST API?

Yes, you can map genes to pathways and perform cross-database ID conversions using the kegg_conv and kegg_link operations. The Skill supports organism-specific data and batch queries up to 10 entries for reliable academic-use integration.

What's the best way to automate fetching human pathway maps and cross-referencing KO groups?

The best way to automate fetching human pathway maps is building a Python pipeline using the kegg_get and kegg_link functions. You can retrieve pathway maps and cross-reference genes to KO groups for downstream enrichment analysis.

Does this KEGG API integration support batch queries for multiple entries?

This KEGG API integration supports batch queries for up to 10 entries. It implements input validation and error handling across all operations including kegg_find, kegg_get, kegg_conv, and kegg_ddi to ensure reliable data retrieval.

Why do I need a Python wrapper for KEGG REST instead of making direct HTTP requests?

You need a Python wrapper for KEGG REST to remove manual HTTP handling and enable direct integration into Python workflows. It provides validated access to pathway and gene data without managing raw API endpoints or response parsing.

Are there limitations when using KEGG REST API operations for bioinformatics research?

KEGG REST API operations are limited to academic use and batch queries of up to 10 entries. The Skill implements error handling for all seven operations but users should anticipate rate limits and organism-specific data availability constraints during pathway analysis.