# Motherduck Explore

> 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.

- Skill: `majiayu000/motherduck-explore` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds add majiayu000/motherduck-explore`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/majiayu000/motherduck-explore/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- License: MIT
- Author: majiayu000 (https://skillmd.com/u/majiayu000)
- Updated: 2026-09-09
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/majiayu000/motherduck-explore

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# 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.
- 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

- `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