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, install and manage AI coding skills, and configure Context7 MCP for your editor. Use it when you need current API references, want to install or generate skills, or need to set up Context7 integration.

Fetch current library documentation for any package to verify APIs and signatures
Search and install AI coding skills from the registry or custom repositories
Generate custom AI coding skills with AI assistance (requires login)
List, remove, and manage installed skills
Configure Context7 MCP for Claude Code, Cursor, or OpenCode
Resolve library IDs and query documentation with keywords

How to install context7-cli

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

Prerequisites

Node.js and npm installed
For skill generation: login via `ctx7 login`
For higher rate limits on docs: optional login

Claude Code

Cursor

Windsurf

Cline

How to use context7-cli

1.Install or update the CLI: `npm install -g ctx7@latest` or use `npx ctx7@latest`
2.For documentation: run `ctx7 library <name>` to resolve the library ID, then `ctx7 docs <libraryId> <query>` to fetch docs
3.For skills: use `ctx7 skills search <keywords>` to find skills, then `ctx7 skills install /owner/repo` to install
4.To generate a custom skill: run `ctx7 skills generate` (requires login)
5.To configure Context7 MCP: run `ctx7 setup` and follow the interactive prompts

Use cases

Good for

Look up current API signatures when your training data may be outdated
Install pre-built skills for common libraries and frameworks
Generate a custom skill tailored to your project's specific needs
Set up Context7 integration in your editor for seamless AI coding assistance
Search the skill registry to discover available coding skills for your tech stack

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
Engineers setting up Context7 MCP in their editor

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.

Why does `ctx7 docs react "hooks"` fail?

You must run `ctx7 library react` first to resolve the library ID (e.g., `/facebook/react`), then use that ID with `ctx7 docs /facebook/react "hooks"`.

How do I install a skill from a custom repository?

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

Can I use ctx7 without installing it globally?

Yes, run `npx ctx7@latest <command>` to use it directly without global installation.

What editors does Context7 MCP support?

Context7 MCP can be configured for Claude Code, Cursor, and OpenCode via the `ctx7 setup` command.

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