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--- name: motherduck-explore description: Discover and explore databases, tables, columns, and data shares in MotherDuck. Use when you need to understand what data is available, preview table contents, or search the data catalog. argument-hint: [database-or-workspace] license: MIT --- # Explore MotherDuck Data Use this skill when you need to discover what databases, tables, and columns exist in a MotherDuck account; preview and sample data; understand schemas and data types; find shared databases; or search the data catalog. ## Prerequisites - An established MotherDuck connection (or an active MotherDuck MCP server) ## Default Posture - Explore top-down: databases, then tables/views, then columns, then statistics, then sample rows. - Use fully qualified table names once more than one database is attached. - Check shared databases before concluding that data is unavailable. - Use the MotherDuck MCP tools (`list_databases`, `list_tables`, `list_columns`, `search_catalog`) when available because they return structured results faster than ad hoc SQL. - Return a concise schema map with table grain, join keys, date columns, and likely measures before moving into modeling or dashboard work. ## Workflow 1. List databases in scope. 2. List tables and views in the target database. 3. Inspect columns, types, nullability, and comments before writing queries. 4. Run `SUMMARIZE` on important tables to understand ranges, cardinality, and null rates. 5. Preview rows, capture grain and join assumptions, and only then move into analytical SQL or modeling work. ## Open Next - Read `references/EXPLORATION_PLAYBOOK.md` for the full SQL workflow, share discovery patterns, MCP tool guidance, and common exploration mistakes ## Related Skills - `motherduck-connect` for session setup and authentication - `motherduck-query` for analytical SQL after the schema is understood - `motherduck-duckdb-sql` for DuckDB syntax patterns during exploration - `motherduck-share-data` for creating and consuming shares once shared datasets become part of the workflow