| name | sql-server-connection |
| description | Connect to a source SQL Server database for migration to Snowflake using scai CLI. Triggers: sql server, sqlserver, source connection, source database, connect to sql server, add sql server connection. |
SQL Server Connection Skill
On Entry
Tell the user:
Setting up SQL Server connection — I'll configure and test a connection to your source SQL Server database. I'll need some connection details from you shortly.
Prerequisites
- Network access to the SQL Server instance
- SQL Server credentials (username/password for Standard auth, or domain credentials for Windows auth)
- The
scai CLI installed and available
Required Connection Details
| Parameter | Required | Description |
|---|
-s, --source-connection | Yes | Friendly name for this connection |
--auth | Yes | Authentication method: standard or windows |
--server-url | Yes | SQL Server hostname or IP |
--database | Yes | Database name to connect to |
--user | For standard auth | SQL Server username |
--password | For standard auth | SQL Server password (prompted securely) |
--port | No | Port number (default: 1433) |
--trust-server-certificate | No | Trust server certificate |
--encrypt | No | Encrypt connection |
Workflow
Step 1: Ask How to Provide Credentials
Ask the user:
"I need the following to connect to SQL Server:
- Server URL (hostname or IP)
- Database name
- Username and Password (for standard auth)
How would you like to provide these?"
Options:
- 1Password - Credentials stored in 1Password vault
- Enter manually - Provide values interactively
Step 2: Route Based on Answer
| User says | Action |
|---|
| "1Password" | Follow ../1PASSWORD.md |
| "Enter manually" | Proceed to Step 3 (manual entry) |
| Other credential manager | Check if ../references/<NAME>.md exists; if not, ask user to explain their setup |
Step 3: Add the Connection (Manual Entry)
Interactive mode (recommended):
scai connection add-sql-server
Inline mode:
scai connection add-sql-server \
-s <SOURCE_CONNECTION_NAME> \
--auth standard \
--server-url <SERVER_URL> \
--port 1433 \
--database <DATABASE> \
--user <USERNAME>
Password will be prompted securely.
Step 4: Save and Test Source Connection
Call the configure tool with source_connection set to <SOURCE_CONNECTION_NAME>. The MCP server runs scai connection test internally and only persists the connection if the test passes.
- On success: the response includes
connection_test: ok.
- On failure: the tool returns an error containing the scai message. Surface it to the user, help them fix the issue, then re-run
configure(source_connection=<SOURCE_CONNECTION_NAME>). See ./references/REFERENCE.md for troubleshooting.
CHECKPOINT
Confirm with user:
On Completion
After the CHECKPOINT passes, tell the user:
Connection configured — Successfully connected to SQL Server using connection <connection_name>.
Then return to the calling skill.
Security Rules
- NEVER log or display passwords in plain text
- NEVER include passwords in command-line arguments that might be logged
- Use interactive mode or credential managers to avoid password exposure
Quick Reference
| Action | Command |
|---|
| Add connection (interactive) | scai connection add-sql-server |
| Add connection (inline) | scai connection add-sql-server -s NAME --auth standard --server-url HOST --database DB --user USER |
| Test connection | configure(source_connection=NAME) (runs the test internally) |
| Set default | scai connection set-default -l sqlserver -s NAME |
