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:

# Get React hooks documentation
curl -s "https://context7.com/api/v1/docs?library=/facebook/react&topic=hooks" | jq

# Get Next.js routing docs
curl -s "https://context7.com/api/v1/docs?library=/vercel/next.js&topic=routing" | jq

# Get conceptual guide (info mode)
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:

1. Provide accurate, version-specific answers
2. Show official code patterns and examples
3. Reference correct API signatures
4. Include relevant caveats or deprecations

Common Library IDs

Documentation Modes

Example Workflow

# User asks: "How do I use React hooks?"

# Step 1: Search for React
curl -s "https://context7.com/api/v1/search?q=react" | jq '.results[0]'
# Output shows: id: /facebook/react

# Step 2: Fetch hooks docs
curl -s "https://context7.com/api/v1/docs?library=/facebook/react&topic=hooks" | jq

# Step 3: Use the returned documentation to answer

TYPO3 Documentation Lookup

For TYPO3-specific documentation:

# Search for TYPO3
curl -s "https://context7.com/api/v1/search?q=typo3" | jq

# Get DataHandler docs
curl -s "https://context7.com/api/v1/docs?library=/typo3/typo3&topic=DataHandler" | jq

# Get Fluid ViewHelper docs
curl -s "https://context7.com/api/v1/docs?library=/typo3/typo3&topic=ViewHelper" | jq

Error Handling

If requests fail:

1. Verify jq and curl are installed
2. Check the library ID format (/org/project)
3. Try a broader topic or no topic filter
4. Try info mode if code returns nothing
5. 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.