| name | context7 |
| description | Fetch up-to-date library documentation via Context7 REST API. Use when needing current API docs, framework patterns, or code examples for any library. |
| metadata | {"version":"1.0.0"} |
Context7 Documentation Lookup Skill
Fetch current library documentation, API references, and code examples via the Context7 REST API.
When to Use
Activate this skill when:
- User asks about library APIs or framework patterns
- Import statements suggest documentation needs:
import, require, from
- Questions about specific library versions or migration
- Need for official documentation patterns vs generic solutions
- "How do I use X library?", "What's the API for Y?"
Workflow
Step 1: Search for Library ID
Always search first to get the correct library ID:
curl -s "https://context7.com/api/v1/search?q=library-name" | jq
Example output shows library IDs you can use:
{
"id": "/facebook/react",
"name": "React",
"snippets": 2135,
"score": 79.4
}
Step 2: Fetch Documentation
curl -s "https://context7.com/api/v1/docs?library=<library-id>&topic=<topic>&mode=<mode>" | jq
Parameters:
library: Library ID from search results (e.g., /facebook/react)
topic: Optional focus area (e.g., hooks, routing)
mode: code (default) for API/examples, info for guides
Examples:
curl -s "https://context7.com/api/v1/docs?library=/facebook/react&topic=hooks" | jq
curl -s "https://context7.com/api/v1/docs?library=/vercel/next.js&topic=routing" | jq
curl -s "https://context7.com/api/v1/docs?library=/vercel/next.js&topic=app%20router&mode=info" | jq
Step 3: Apply to User's Question
Use the returned documentation to:
- Provide accurate, version-specific answers
- Show official code patterns and examples
- Reference correct API signatures
- Include relevant caveats or deprecations
Common Library IDs
| Library | ID |
|---|
| React | /facebook/react |
| Next.js | /vercel/next.js |
| Vue.js | /vuejs/vue |
| Prisma | /prisma/prisma |
| Laravel | /laravel/laravel |
| Symfony | /symfony/symfony |
| TYPO3 | /typo3/typo3 |
| Tailwind CSS | /tailwindlabs/tailwindcss |
| TypeScript | /microsoft/typescript |
Documentation Modes
| Mode | Use For |
|---|
code | API references, code examples, function signatures (default) |
info | Conceptual guides, tutorials, architecture docs |
Example Workflow
curl -s "https://context7.com/api/v1/search?q=react" | jq '.results[0]'
curl -s "https://context7.com/api/v1/docs?library=/facebook/react&topic=hooks" | jq
TYPO3 Documentation Lookup
For TYPO3-specific documentation:
curl -s "https://context7.com/api/v1/search?q=typo3" | jq
curl -s "https://context7.com/api/v1/docs?library=/typo3/typo3&topic=DataHandler" | jq
curl -s "https://context7.com/api/v1/docs?library=/typo3/typo3&topic=ViewHelper" | jq
Error Handling
If requests fail:
- Verify
jq and curl are installed
- Check the library ID format (
/org/project)
- Try a broader topic or no topic filter
- Try
info mode if code returns nothing
- Check network connectivity
MCP Alternative
If you have the Context7 MCP server configured, you can use it directly:
{
"mcpServers": {
"context7": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["-y", "@context7/mcp-server"]
}
}
}
Notes
- No persistent context overhead: Uses REST API directly
- API key optional: Works without key, but rate-limited
- Topic filtering: Use specific topics for focused results
- Search first: Always search to find the correct library ID
- Fresh data: Results are not cached; each call fetches fresh data
Credits & Attribution
Thanks to Netresearch DTT GmbH for their contributions to the TYPO3 community.