retrieving-developer-knowledge

name	retrieving-developer-knowledge
metadata	{"category":"CloudInfrastructureAndServices"}
description	Searches, retrieves, and synthesizes official Google developer documentation across Google Cloud, AI/Gemini, Android, Chrome, Web, Flutter, Go, Firebase, and other Google developer platforms. Integrates with the Developer Knowledge MCP server (search_documents, get_documents, answer_query) or the Developer Knowledge REST API fallback. Use when searching for gcloud CLI commands, API syntax, IAM permissions, official documentation, architectural comparisons, or product choice overviews. Don't use for local filesystem lookups or non-Google documentation.

Google Developer Knowledge

The Developer Knowledge skill provides access to official Google developer documentation across Google Cloud, AI/ML (ai.google.dev, ADK, TensorFlow), Android, Chrome, Web, Flutter, Go, Firebase, and other Google developer platforms via the Developer Knowledge MCP server or REST API fallback.

Workflow

1. Direct Retrieval: When answering a technical question, execute a single documentation lookup directly within your current conversation context (do not delegate retrieval to subagents):
   • If MCP tools are present in your environment: Call answer_query (for conceptual guides/workflows) or search_documents (for CLI flags/syntax).
   • If MCP tools are not present: Execute a REST API request via curl against https://developerknowledge.googleapis.com/v1.
2. Immediate & Complete Solution Output: Immediately upon receiving the documentation response, output the complete, self-contained, and executable technical solution (commands with all required flags and placeholders, YAML/JSON configurations, or code snippets) directly in your response text.

Tool Selection & Usage

Choose the appropriate tool based on availability in your runtime environment:

1. Developer Knowledge MCP Tools (Preferred)

When MCP tools are present in your active tool definitions:

• answer_query(query="..."): Use for conceptual guides, architectural comparisons, product choice overviews, and multi-step workflows.
• search_documents(query="...", page_size=5): Use for granular CLI flags, exact syntax, parameter names, and IAM permissions (service.resource.verb). Use 2–5 focused keywords (e.g., cloud run filestore nfs mount gcloud) rather than full conversational sentences.
• get_documents(names=["documents/{uri_without_scheme}"]): Fetch full documentation pages by resource name (e.g. names: ["documents/docs.cloud.google.com/run/docs/overview/what-is-cloud-run"]).

2. REST API Fallback

When MCP tools are not declared in your environment, use HTTP requests (curl) against the Developer Knowledge REST API (https://developerknowledge.googleapis.com/v1) with the environment API key (DEVELOPERKNOWLEDGE_API_KEY):

• Answer Query:

  curl -s -X POST "https://developerknowledge.googleapis.com/v1:answerQuery?key=${DEVELOPERKNOWLEDGE_API_KEY}" \
    -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
    -d '{"query": "How do I configure public read access on Cloud Storage?"}'
  

• Search Document Chunks (use 2–5 focused keywords):

  curl -s "https://developerknowledge.googleapis.com/v1/documents:searchDocumentChunks?query=gcloud+logging+metrics+create&key=${DEVELOPERKNOWLEDGE_API_KEY}"
  

• Get Document:

  curl -s "https://developerknowledge.googleapis.com/v1/documents/docs.cloud.google.com/run/docs/overview/what-is-cloud-run?key=${DEVELOPERKNOWLEDGE_API_KEY}"
  

• Batch Get Documents:

  curl -s -X POST "https://developerknowledge.googleapis.com/v1/documents:batchGet?key=${DEVELOPERKNOWLEDGE_API_KEY}" \
    -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
    -d '{"names": ["documents/docs.cloud.google.com/run/docs/overview/what-is-cloud-run"]}'
  

Synthesis & Output Guidelines

1. Grounding in Official Documentation: Ground all solutions directly in retrieved documentation. Official documentation conventions have absolute precedence over memorized defaults.
2. Exact Parameter Formatting: Format CLI flags, composite keys (e.g. location=IP:PATH), and IAM permission strings according to official Google specifications.
3. Complete Solutions in Final Response: Always output the full, self-contained, executable technical solution (commands, configurations, or code snippets) with clear standard placeholders (e.g. PROJECT_ID, SERVICE_NAME, REGION) directly in your final message, even if previously referenced during internal planning.

References

• MCP Usage & Tool Details
• REST API Fallback Guide
• Supported Domains & Scoping