context7-cli

upstash/context7

CLI for fetching library docs, managing AI coding skills, and configuring Context7 MCP.

What is context7-cli?

The ctx7 CLI provides three core functions: fetch up-to-date documentation for any library, manage AI coding skills (install, search, generate), and configure Context7 MCP for your editor. Use it when you need current API docs, want to install or create coding skills, or are setting up Context7 for Claude Code, Cursor, or OpenCode.

Fetch current library documentation for any package to verify APIs and signatures
Install, search, and manage AI coding skills from the registry
Generate custom AI coding skills with AI assistance (requires login)
Configure Context7 MCP integration for Claude Code, Cursor, or OpenCode
Suggest skills based on your project dependencies
List and remove installed skills

How to install context7-cli

npx skills add https://github.com/upstash/context7 --skill context7-cli

Prerequisites

Node.js and npm installed
Run `npm install -g ctx7@latest` or use `npx ctx7@latest` directly

Claude Code

Cursor

Windsurf

Cline

How to use context7-cli

1.Run `ctx7 library <name>` to resolve a library ID (e.g., `ctx7 library react`)
2.Use `ctx7 docs <libraryId> <query>` to fetch documentation (e.g., `ctx7 docs /facebook/react hooks`)
3.For skills, run `ctx7 skills search <keywords>` to find available skills
4.Install a skill with `ctx7 skills install /owner/repo` or `ctx7 skills install /owner/repo skillname`
5.Run `ctx7 setup` to configure Context7 MCP for your editor (interactive)
6.Log in with `ctx7 login` for higher rate limits and skill generation access

Use cases

Good for

Look up current API documentation while writing code when training data may be outdated
Install pre-built AI coding skills to extend your agent's capabilities
Generate a custom skill tailored to your project's specific needs
Set up Context7 MCP to enable skill management in your editor
Search the skill registry to find tools matching your workflow

Who it's for

AI coding agent users (Claude Code, Cursor, OpenCode)
Developers needing up-to-date library documentation
Teams building custom AI coding skills
Anyone setting up Context7 for their development environment

context7-cli FAQ

Do I need to log in to use ctx7?

Most commands work without login. Only `skills generate` requires it. Login also unlocks higher rate limits on docs commands. Set `CONTEXT7_API_KEY` environment variable to skip interactive login.

What format should library IDs use?

Library IDs require a `/` prefix, e.g., `/facebook/react` not `facebook/react`. Always run `ctx7 library` first to resolve the correct ID.

How do I install a skill?

Use `ctx7 skills install /owner/repo` for interactive selection, or `ctx7 skills install /owner/repo skillname` to install a specific skill directly.

Can I generate my own custom skill?

Yes, run `ctx7 skills generate` to create a custom skill with AI assistance. This requires login via `ctx7 login`.

How do I set up Context7 MCP for my editor?

Run `ctx7 setup` for an interactive configuration. You can pass `--api-key` or `--oauth` flags to skip login, or log in first with `ctx7 login`.

Full instructions (SKILL.md)

Source of truth, from upstash/context7.

name: context7-cli description: Use the ctx7 CLI to fetch library documentation, manage AI coding skills, and configure Context7 MCP. Activate when the user mentions "ctx7" or "context7", needs current docs for any library, wants to install/search/generate skills, or needs to set up Context7 for their AI coding agent.

ctx7 CLI

The Context7 CLI does three things: fetches up-to-date library documentation, manages AI coding skills, and sets up Context7 MCP for your editor.

Make sure the CLI is up to date before running commands:

npm install -g ctx7@latest

Or run directly without installing:

npx ctx7@latest <command>

What this skill covers

Documentation — Fetch current docs for any library. Use when writing code, verifying API signatures, or when training data may be outdated.
Skills management — Install, search, suggest, list, remove, and generate AI coding skills.
Setup — Configure Context7 MCP for Claude Code / Cursor / OpenCode.

Quick Reference

# Documentation
ctx7 library <name> <query>           # Step 1: resolve library ID
ctx7 docs <libraryId> <query>         # Step 2: fetch docs

# Skills
ctx7 skills install /owner/repo       # Install from a repo (interactive)
ctx7 skills install /owner/repo name  # Install a specific skill
ctx7 skills search <keywords>         # Search the registry
ctx7 skills suggest                   # Auto-suggest based on project deps
ctx7 skills list                      # List installed skills
ctx7 skills remove <name>             # Uninstall a skill
ctx7 skills generate                  # Generate a custom skill with AI (requires login)

# Setup
ctx7 setup                            # Configure Context7 MCP (interactive)
ctx7 login                            # Log in for higher rate limits + skill generation
ctx7 whoami                           # Check current login status

Authentication

ctx7 login               # Opens browser for OAuth
ctx7 login --no-browser  # Prints URL instead of opening browser
ctx7 logout              # Clear stored tokens
ctx7 whoami              # Show current login status (name + email)

Most commands work without login. Exceptions: skills generate always requires it; ctx7 setup requires it unless --api-key or --oauth is passed. Login also unlocks higher rate limits on docs commands.

Set an API key via environment variable to skip interactive login entirely:

export CONTEXT7_API_KEY=your_key

Common Mistakes

Library IDs require a / prefix — /facebook/react not facebook/react
Always run ctx7 library first — ctx7 docs react "hooks" will fail without a valid ID
Repository format for skills is /owner/repo — e.g., ctx7 skills install /anthropics/skills
skills generate requires login — run ctx7 login first