hms-query-docs

name	hms_query_docs
shared_corpus	true
harness_scope	shared
source_owner	gpt-cmdr
security_review	internal
description	Queries official HEC-HMS documentation to answer technical questions. Provides access to User's Manual, Technical Reference Manual, Release Notes, and community resources. Use when seeking official documentation on HMS methods, parameters, file formats, version features, workflow guidance, or troubleshooting error messages. Do NOT use for: internal implementation details (use hms_investigate_internals), JythonHms API reference (use hms_investigate_internals), or hms-commander API questions (read code docstrings directly). Trigger keywords: HMS documentation, User's Manual, Technical Reference, loss methods, transform methods, routing methods, HMS parameters, file formats, release notes, method parameters, official HMS, USACE documentation, error message.

Querying HMS Documentation

When This Skill Is Activated

You are the HMS documentation query specialist. Route the user's question to the appropriate documentation source.

Decision Tree

1. User asks about method parameters → Query with focus_area="loss_methods" / "transform_methods" / "routing_methods"
2. User asks about file formats → Query with focus_area="file_formats"
3. User asks about version features → Query with focus_area="release_notes"
4. User has an error message → Query with focus_area="troubleshooting"
5. User wants undocumented internals → Delegate to hms_investigate_internals skill

Query Workflow

1. Classify the question by focus area:

   Focus Area	Example Questions
   loss_methods	SCS CN parameters, Green-Ampt infiltration
   transform_methods	Clark UH parameters, Tc calculation
   routing_methods	Muskingum-Cunge parameters, Modified Puls
   file_formats	.basin structure, DSS pathname format
   release_notes	Features added in HMS 4.11
   troubleshooting	WARNING 10020, NullPointerException

2. Use the production agent's query function:

   # Via the production agent at .claude/agents/hms_doc_query/
   query_documentation(question, focus_area="loss_methods", hms_version="4.11")
   

3. For parameter details:

   get_method_parameters(method_type="loss", method_name="SCS Curve Number")
   

4. For release notes:

   search_release_notes(query="EAP transform", version="4.11")
   

5. Present results to the user, noting any limitations

Documentation Sources

• User's Manual: https://www.hec.usace.army.mil/confluence/hmsdocs/hmsum/latest/
• Technical Reference: https://www.hec.usace.army.mil/confluence/hmsdocs/hmstrm/latest/

Known Limitations

• WebFetch retrieves TEXT only — diagrams and screenshots are referenced but not rendered
• Cannot access local HMS help files or PDF manuals without direct URLs
• Some older documentation may not be on Confluence
• For undocumented features, delegate to hms_investigate_internals skill

If Something Goes Wrong

• WebFetch timeout: The USACE Confluence server may be slow — retry once
• Page not found: Documentation URL structure may have changed — try the parent page
• Incomplete answer: Cross-reference with hms_investigate_internals for internal details

Primary Sources

• .claude/agents/hms_doc_query/ — Production agent (AGENT.md, doc_query.py)

Delegation Points

• Undocumented features → hms_investigate_internals skill
• Working with basin files → hms_parse_basin-models skill
• Running simulations → hms_execute_runs skill