---
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.
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

- Establish a MotherDuck connection first via `motherduck-connect`.

## 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 MCP exploration tools when available because they return structured results faster than ad hoc SQL.

## 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 and only then move into analytical SQL or modeling work.

## Open Next

- `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