vdb

Query genomic datasets via labretriever VirtualDB views in DuckDB.

2|Updated Mar 23, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/cmatKhan/labretriever --skill vdb
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: vdb
Source: https://github.com/cmatKhan/labretriever/tree/main/skills/vdb
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/cmatKhan/labretriever --skill vdb

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

💡 This Skill includes references (resource) components.

What problem does it solve?

labretriever's VirtualDB provides a unified SQL interface over genomic and transcriptomic datasets hosted on HuggingFace, enabling researchers to query, explore, and compare datasets without manual data wrangling.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Discover datasets via list_datasets and inspect schemas with describe_dataset and describe_dataset_meta.
  • Retrieve semantic metadata with get_column_metadata and provenance tags via get_tags.
  • Execute SQL queries against the two views named after the dataset and its _meta counterpart using vdb.query, and reproduce MCP results in Python when needed.

Quick Start

Connect to the MCP server and run a sample query using vdb.query.

Frequently Asked Questions about vdb

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

FAQPage Schema
How do I query genomic datasets hosted on HuggingFace using SQL?

You can query genomic datasets hosted on HuggingFace using SQL by leveraging VirtualDB views in DuckDB. This provides a unified SQL interface over heterogeneous genomic resources, enabling you to execute queries without manual data wrangling.

What is the best way to discover and inspect schemas of transcriptomic datasets?

To discover transcriptomic datasets and inspect their schemas, use list_datasets to find available resources and describe_dataset to inspect schemas. You can also retrieve semantic metadata using get_column_metadata and provenance tags via get_tags.

Do I need a labretriever MCP server to query genomic data with DuckDB?

Yes, you need a connected labretriever MCP server and a valid VirtualDB config to query genomic data with DuckDB. These prerequisites allow you to access the '{name}' and '{name}_meta' views and execute SQL queries using the vdb.query helper tool.

Can I compare schemas across heterogeneous HuggingFace datasets without downloading them?

Yes, VirtualDB provides a unified SQL interface over HuggingFace-hosted datasets, letting you explore and compare schemas directly. You can use describe_dataset and describe_dataset_meta to inspect structures and retrieve metadata without downloading entire datasets.

How do I execute SQL queries across HuggingFace resources and reproduce the results in Python?

You execute SQL queries across HuggingFace resources using vdb.query against the '{name}' and '{name}_meta' views in DuckDB. The Skill also supports reproducing MCP results in Python when needed for downstream analysis or validation.