| name | openclaw-ggsql |
| description | Generate charts from tabular data using ggsql SQL syntax extension. Use when: user wants to visualize data as charts without Python/R. Supports: scatter plots, line charts, bar charts, histograms, boxplots, heatmaps. Based on Grammar of Graphics. |
| homepage | https://ggsql.org |
| metadata | {"openclaw":{"emoji":"📊","requires":{"bins":[],"skills":["web-access"]}}} |
ggsql Visualization Skill
Generate charts from tabular data using ggsql SQL syntax.
Overview
ggsql extends SQL with visualization capabilities based on the Grammar of Graphics. Write familiar SQL queries, add visualization clauses, and get charts - no Python/R needed.
When to Use
✅ USE this skill when:
- "Visualize this data as a scatter plot"
- "Create a histogram of X"
- "Draw a bar chart comparing Y across categories"
- "Plot time series data"
- "Generate heatmap from table"
- User provides tabular data and wants a chart
When NOT to Use
❌ DON'T use this skill when:
- Interactive/dynamic charts → use JavaScript libraries
- Complex statistical visualizations → use Python/R
- Large-scale data dashboards → use dedicated tools
- 3D visualizations → use specialized software
Input Schema
data: <CSV file path | JSON array | SQL table reference>
chart_type: point | line | bar | histogram | boxplot | violin | density | heatmap | pie
mapping:
x: <column name>
y: <column name>
fill: <column name>
color: <column name>
shape: <column name>
size: <column name>
options:
title: <chart title>
subtitle: <chart subtitle>
x_label: <x-axis label>
y_label: <y-axis label>
binwidth: <number>
facet: <column name>
facet_by: <column name>
scale_x: continuous | discrete | binned | log10
scale_y: continuous | discrete | binned | log10
scale_fill: continuous | discrete | binned
Output
- SVG chart file (primary)
- PNG chart file (optional)
- Embedded base64 image for chat display
Chart Types and Templates
Scatter Plot (point)
Required mapping: x, y
Optional mapping: fill, color, shape, size
VISUALISE {x} AS x, {y} AS y, {fill} AS fill
FROM {data_source}
DRAW point
LABEL title => '{title}', x => '{x_label}', y => '{y_label}'
Line Chart (line)
Required mapping: x, y
Optional mapping: color, linetype
VISUALISE {x} AS x, {y} AS y, {color} AS color
FROM {data_source}
DRAW line
LABEL title => '{title}', x => '{x_label}', y => '{y_label}'
Bar Chart (bar)
Required mapping: x, y (or auto-count with just x)
Optional mapping: fill
SELECT {x}, COUNT(*) as count FROM {data_source}
GROUP BY {x}
VISUALISE {x} AS x, count AS y, {fill} AS fill
DRAW bar
LABEL title => '{title}', x => '{x_label}', y => '{y_label}'
Histogram (histogram)
Required mapping: x
Optional mapping: fill, binwidth
VISUALISE {x} AS x, {fill} AS fill
FROM {data_source}
DRAW histogram
SETTING binwidth => {binwidth}
LABEL title => '{title}', x => '{x_label}'
Boxplot (boxplot)
Required mapping: x, y (x categorical, y numeric)
Optional mapping: fill
VISUALISE {x} AS x, {y} AS y, {fill} AS fill
FROM {data_source}
DRAW boxplot
LABEL title => '{title}', x => '{x_label}', y => '{y_label}'
Heatmap (tile)
Required mapping: x, y, fill
Optional mapping: none
VISUALISE {x} AS x, {y} AS y, {fill} AS fill
FROM {data_source}
DRAW tile
SCALE BINNED fill
LABEL title => '{title}', x => '{x_label}', y => '{y_label}'
Density Plot (density)
Required mapping: x
Optional mapping: fill
VISUALISE {x} AS x, {fill} AS fill
FROM {data_source}
DRAW density
LABEL title => '{title}', x => '{x_label}'
Violin Plot (violin)
Required mapping: x, y (x categorical, y numeric)
Optional mapping: fill
VISUALISE {x} AS x, {y} AS y, {fill} AS fill
FROM {data_source}
DRAW violin
LABEL title => '{title}', x => '{x_label}', y => '{y_label}'
Pie Chart (pie with polar projection)
Required mapping: fill
Optional mapping: none
SELECT {fill}, COUNT(*) as count FROM {data_source}
GROUP BY {fill}
VISUALISE {fill} AS fill, count AS y
DRAW bar
PROJECT polar
LABEL title => '{title}'
Scale Types
| Scale | Use Case | Example |
|---|
CONTINUOUS | Numeric values | SCALE CONTINUOUS x FROM [0, null] |
DISCRETE | Categories | SCALE DISCRETE fill TO ['red', 'blue'] |
BINNED | Binning continuous | SCALE BINNED fill |
ORDINAL | Ordered categories | SCALE ORDINAL x |
IDENTITY | Direct values | SCALE IDENTITY color |
log10 | Log transform | SCALE CONTINUOUS y VIA log10 |
Faceting (Small Multiples)
1D Faceting
VISUALISE {x} AS x, {y} AS y
FROM {data_source}
DRAW point
FACET {facet_column}
2D Faceting
VISUALISE {x} AS x, {y} AS y
FROM {data_source}
DRAW point
FACET {facet_column} BY {facet_by_column}
Multi-layer Charts
Combine multiple DRAW clauses:
VISUALISE {x} AS x, {y} AS y
FROM {data_source}
DRAW line
MAPPING {group} AS color
DRAW point
MAPPING {group} AS fill
LABEL title => '{title}'
Execution Methods
Method 1: WASM Playground (Recommended for Testing)
- Visit https://ggsql.org/wasm/
- Use built-in datasets:
ggsql:penguins, ggsql:airquality
- Upload CSV via "Upload Data" button
- Run SQL and save as SVG/PNG
Method 2: CLI (Local Execution)
cargo install ggsql-cli
ggsql-cli run -f input.sql -o output.svg
Method 3: Jupyter Kernel
uv tool install ggsql-jupyter
ggsql-jupyter --install
Examples
Example 1: Scatter Plot with Color
Input:
data: penguins.csv
chart_type: point
mapping:
x: bill_length_mm
y: bill_depth_mm
fill: species
options:
title: Penguin Bill Dimensions
x_label: Bill Length (mm)
y_label: Bill Depth (mm)
Generated SQL:
SELECT * FROM 'penguins.csv'
VISUALISE bill_length_mm AS x, bill_depth_mm AS y, species AS fill
DRAW point
LABEL
title => 'Penguin Bill Dimensions',
x => 'Bill Length (mm)',
y => 'Bill Depth (mm)'
Example 2: Histogram
Input:
data: sales.csv
chart_type: histogram
mapping:
x: revenue
options:
title: Revenue Distribution
binwidth: 1000
Generated SQL:
SELECT * FROM 'sales.csv'
VISUALISE revenue AS x
DRAW histogram
SETTING binwidth => 1000
LABEL title => 'Revenue Distribution'
Example 3: Faceted Scatter Plot
Input:
data: penguins.csv
chart_type: point
mapping:
x: bill_length_mm
y: bill_depth_mm
fill: species
options:
title: Penguins by Island
facet: island
Generated SQL:
SELECT * FROM 'penguins.csv'
VISUALISE bill_length_mm AS x, bill_depth_mm AS y, species AS fill
DRAW point
FACET island
LABEL title => 'Penguins by Island'
Example 4: Multi-layer Chart
Input:
data: sales.csv
chart_type: multi
mapping:
x: date
y: revenue
group: region
options:
title: Revenue Trend by Region
Generated SQL:
SELECT * FROM 'sales.csv'
VISUALISE date AS x, revenue AS y
DRAW line
MAPPING region AS color
DRAW point
MAPPING region AS fill
LABEL title => 'Revenue Trend by Region'
SQL Generation Logic
When receiving YAML input:
- Parse
chart_type to select template
- Validate required mapping fields
- Build
VISUALISE clause from mapping
- Add
DRAW clause with layer type
- Add optional clauses:
SCALE, FACET, LABEL
- If
data is CSV, use FROM 'path/to/file.csv'
- If
data is table reference, use FROM table_name
Notes
- ggsql is in alpha stage (v0.2.7), syntax may evolve
- WASM Playground is the easiest way to test
- No Python/R environment needed
- Charts are static (SVG/PNG), not interactive
- Grammar of Graphics philosophy: compose from layers, scales, coordinates
Resources