From a question to grounded work¶
Start with a read, inspect the result, and make any proposed change explicit. The same MCP tools serve Claude and Codex; the available presentation depends on the host.
Understand an unfamiliar database¶
Map this database. Show its keyspaces, collections, and tables, then describe the schema and a small sample from the collection I choose.
The agent can use database_overview, describe_collection, describe_table, and find. Tool inputs support an explicit database and keyspace, so a follow-up need not depend on a guessed default.
Search by meaning¶
Find documents related to “reducing checkout abandonment.” Show the source documents and explain the search settings used.
vector_search supports vector and hybrid search. Text queries need a compatible vectorize configuration; otherwise supply embeddings appropriate for your collection. Similarity is a retrieval signal, not proof that a document is correct.
Write code against the real schema¶
Inspect the products collection, then use the bundled TypeScript Data API examples to draft a filtered query. Explain any assumptions before running it.
The code_examples tool searches bundled examples for Python, TypeScript, Java, C#, and Go. Your agent can pair those examples with the live schema instead of inventing collection fields.
Make a guarded change¶
Show the documents this update would affect and explain the proposed change before asking me to approve it.
Write and schema tools are available unless read-only mode is enabled. Destructive operations, broad updates, and broad deletes require confirmation. Read-only mode removes the write tools entirely; set ASTRA_MCP_READ_ONLY=1 in the server's environment or use the supported client setting. Never rely on prompt wording as your only access control.
Choose a skill¶
| Goal | Starting point |
|---|---|
| Connect or repair setup | setup, doctor |
| Inspect data | overview, collection, explore, similar |
| Review a model or migration | data-model-review, data-modeler, migration-helper |
| Work with client libraries | astra-toolkit |
In Claude Code, shortcuts use /astra-db:…. In Codex, select the skill or ask for it by name. Browse the shipped skills and full tool reference.