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BigQuery Basics

Lets an agent manage BigQuery datasets, tables and SQL queries via gcloud/bq and client libraries

Repository
google/skills
Stars
21,782
Licence
Apache-2.0
Files
10 files

What it does

Once installed, the agent knows how to work with Google BigQuery, a cloud data warehouse for running SQL over very large datasets. It can create datasets and tables, run queries, and point you to the right commands, client library code, or Terraform config for these tasks. It reads reference files for details on topics like change history, continuous queries, IAM roles, and attribution tags, and it can look up further product information through a documentation server if one is connected.

Great for

  • Data analysts or engineers who want an agent to run BigQuery SQL and set up tables without memorising the bq CLI
  • Developers building pipelines that create BigQuery datasets and tables from code or Terraform
  • Teams new to BigQuery who want guided setup of a dataset, schema and first query

Skip it if

  • Production changes to billing, IAM or shared datasets without review: the skill can run commands that enable APIs and create resources, so a mistake can cost money or expose data
  • Users who only need general SQL help with no Google Cloud account: the skill is specific to BigQuery and its commands will not run without access

Try asking

  • “Create a BigQuery dataset called sales_2024 in the US location and a table with a name and region column”
  • “Run a query against the public usa_names dataset to find the top 10 names in Texas”
  • “Show me how to set up a BigQuery table in Terraform with a schema I describe”
  • “Track incremental changes to my orders table using APPENDS or CHANGES”
Step-by-step guide: how to use BigQuery BasicsInstall, first run, examples, tips and FAQs

Install in 3 steps

  1. 1

    Download the skill

    The ZIP contains the 10 original files, the Apache-2.0 licence and an attribution note.

    bigquery-basics.zip
  2. 2

    Add it to your agent

    Claude Code (all projects)

    mkdir -p ~/.claude/skills && unzip bigquery-basics.zip -d ~/.claude/skills/

    Claude Code / Agent SDK (this project only)

    mkdir -p .claude/skills && unzip bigquery-basics.zip -d .claude/skills/

    Claude apps (web/desktop): Settings → Capabilities → Skills → Upload skill, and choose the ZIP.

  3. 3

    Ask for the task

    No special command needed — the agent reads the skill's description and loads it when your request matches. Try one of the prompts above.

Get better results

  • Use a sandbox or test project and a dedicated dataset when first trying the commands, so mistakes stay contained
  • Review every gcloud or bq command before the agent runs it, especially those that enable services or create resources
  • Give the agent a precise request, such as the dataset location and table schema, to avoid guessed defaults

What's inside

  • references/attribution.md
  • references/change-history.md
  • references/cli-usage.md
  • references/client-library-usage.md
  • references/continuous-queries.md
  • references/core-concepts.md
  • references/iac-usage.md
  • references/iam-security.md
  • references/mcp-usage.md
  • SKILL.md

Redistributed unmodified from google/skills under the Apache-2.0 licence. The assessment was drafted with AI from the skill's files on 2026-10-29. Skills can instruct your agent to run code — read SKILL.md and any scripts before installing.