documentation-lookup
by affaan-mdocumentation-lookup helps agents answer library, framework, and API questions from current docs instead of memory. It is ideal for setup, configuration, reference, and code-example tasks when the latest syntax matters. Use the documentation-lookup skill for Skill Docs when a request depends on live documentation and version-accurate guidance.
This skill scores 84/100, which means it is a solid listing candidate for directory users who want a reliable way to fetch current library/framework documentation instead of depending on training data. The repository gives enough workflow detail to understand when it triggers and how to use it, so it should be installable with relatively low guesswork, though it still lacks some adoption aids like bundled support files or an install command.
- Explicit trigger guidance for setup, API reference, code example, and named-framework questions
- Clear operational workflow: resolve-library-id first, then query-docs for live documentation
- Good body depth and structure with multiple headings and no placeholder/demo markers
- No support files or install command are provided, so setup and integration may require extra manual work
- The skill depends on Context7 MCP availability/configuration, which may limit portability across environments
Overview of documentation-lookup skill
What documentation-lookup does
The documentation-lookup skill helps an agent answer library, framework, and API questions from current docs instead of memory. It is best for users who need reliable setup help, exact method names, or code examples that match the latest version of a tool.
Who it fits
Use the documentation-lookup skill when you work with fast-moving ecosystems like React, Next.js, Prisma, Supabase, Tailwind, or any library where stale training data is risky. It is especially useful for implementation tasks, migration questions, and “how do I do this correctly?” prompts.
Why it is different
The main advantage is the Context7 workflow: first resolve the library ID, then query live docs. That reduces guesswork and usually produces better answers than a generic prompt because the agent can cite current APIs, config patterns, and examples.
How to Use documentation-lookup skill
Install and trigger it
For documentation-lookup install, add the skill to your Claude Code or compatible setup with the repository’s skill install flow, then make sure Context7 MCP is available. Trigger it when the user asks for docs-backed help, names a framework, or needs code that must match a specific package version.
Start with the right input
A strong documentation-lookup usage prompt names the library, the task, and the version or environment if it matters. Good examples are: “Using Next.js App Router, how do I add middleware for auth?” or “With Prisma 5, show the correct relation filter for this query.” Weak prompts like “help me with Next.js” force extra back-and-forth.
Suggested workflow
Read SKILL.md first to understand the resolve-then-query pattern, then inspect nearby repo guidance if you are adapting the skill to another agent setup. In practice, the flow should be: identify the library, resolve the library ID, query docs for the exact topic, then generate code or steps only after confirming the live reference.
Practical tips for better output
Ask for the kind of result you want: “give me the minimal setup,” “show the recommended pattern,” or “compare the current API with the older one.” If the task involves a framework feature, mention the runtime or ecosystem constraints up front, such as Node version, app router vs pages router, or server vs client component context.
documentation-lookup skill FAQ
When should I use documentation-lookup?
Use documentation-lookup when the answer depends on current docs, exact API behavior, or package-specific setup. It is a good fit for setup, configuration, and code-generation questions where outdated examples would be costly.
Is documentation-lookup better than a normal prompt?
Yes, when correctness depends on live documentation. A normal prompt can still work for conceptual explanations, but the documentation-lookup skill is better when you need the latest syntax, supported options, or examples tied to a specific library version.
Do I need to be a beginner to use it?
No. The skill is useful for both beginners and advanced users. Beginners benefit from clearer setup paths, while experienced users benefit from faster confirmation of current APIs and fewer version mismatches.
When is it not the right choice?
Do not use documentation-lookup for purely conceptual advice, opinion-based architecture questions, or tasks that do not depend on external docs. If the answer can be produced safely from general reasoning alone, live documentation may be unnecessary.
How to Improve documentation-lookup skill
Give the skill better lookup targets
The biggest quality gain comes from naming the exact library, package, and feature. For documentation-lookup usage, “React forms” is weaker than “React Hook Form controller usage with Zod validation.” Precise targets help the agent resolve the right docs faster and avoid broad, noisy searches.
Add environment constraints early
State the framework version, runtime, and project shape before asking for code. “Next.js 14 App Router, TypeScript, server components” is much more useful than “Next.js.” These constraints change the correct doc path and prevent answers that look right but do not fit your stack.
Ask for output that matches your goal
If you want implementation help, say whether you want a minimal snippet, production-safe setup, or migration guidance. For example: “Show the recommended way to fetch data in Prisma with pagination, and explain any caveats.” This improves the first pass and reduces follow-up corrections.
Iterate with the doc result
If the first answer is close but not right, ask the agent to re-query for a narrower subtopic, alternative API, or specific version behavior. The documentation-lookup skill works best as a short feedback loop: resolve the library, inspect the relevant doc section, then refine the prompt until the example matches your use case.