PlugWiki

cloud-sql-basics Skill for Claude Code: Cloud SQL Setup

Walks Claude through creating and managing Google Cloud SQL databases for PostgreSQL, MySQL and SQL Server with gcloud.

Installs
15.2K
on skills.sh
Stars
21.8K
on GitHub
Files
8
besides SKILL.md
Updated
Nov 2026
last repo commit

cloud-sql-basics makes Claude generate or explain Cloud SQL resources. It starts with a six-step PostgreSQL quick start: enable the API, create an instance, set a password, create a database, get the connection name and connect through the Cloud SQL Auth Proxy.

The skill runs real gcloud commands that create billable resources in your Google Cloud project, so use a project you can spend in. It expects IAM permissions to manage Cloud SQL, and names the Cloud SQL Admin role (roles/cloudsql.admin) as the one with full access. It comes from Google's skills repo.

Good for

  • Developers creating their first Cloud SQL instance
  • Teams setting up connections, users, backups and IAM roles
  • Engineers writing Terraform for Cloud SQL

Install cloud-sql-basics

Claude Code

  1. 1

    Copy this prompt.

    Install the cloud-sql-basics skill in Claude Code. Run this command:

npx skills add https://github.com/google/skills --skill cloud-sql-basics

Then check that it loaded and tell me how to use it.
  2. 2

    Paste it into Claude Code. It shows the change and asks before running it.

Requires Node.js.

From its listing on skills.sh. Source.

What's in the skill

When it loads

This file generates or explains Cloud SQL resources. Use this file when the user asks to create a Cloud SQL instance or database for MySQL, PostgreSQL, or SQL Server. Cloud SQL manages third-party MySQL, PostgreSQL, and SQL Server instances as resources in Cloud SQL. For example, when Cloud SQL creates an open-source MySQL instance, the resulting resource is a Cloud SQL for MySQL instance that Google Cloud manages. Cloud SQL handles backups, high availability, and secure connectivity for relational database workloads.

Sections in SKILL.md

  1. Attribution
  2. Prerequisites
  3. Quick Start (PostgreSQL)
  4. Reference Directory

Key facts

Author
google (repo owner)
Repo
google/skills
Installs on skills.sh
15,169
Repo stars
21,764
License
Apache-2.0
Last repo commit
2026-11-01
Files in the skill folder
9 files including SKILL.md
Needs
IAM permissions to manage Cloud SQL (Cloud SQL Admin role, roles/cloudsql.admin, gives full access)
Skill version
1.0.1

What it includes

  • Six steps from enabling the API to connecting with psql

    Enable sqladmin.googleapis.com, create an instance, set the postgres password, create a database, read the connection name, then run the Cloud SQL Auth Proxy and connect.

    Runs code · Quick Start (PostgreSQL)

  • Tags gcloud commands with a skill name

    Before any gcloud, REST or MCP command it must read references/attribution.md, which sets a metrics attribution variable on gcloud and a User-Agent suffix on HTTP calls. It says the tag carries no user data.

    Runs code · Attribution

  • Editions, architecture, read pools, HA and engines

    Covers Enterprise and Enterprise Plus editions.

    references/core-concepts.md

  • gcloud sql commands for instances, databases, users and backups

    Examples to create, list, describe, restart and back up instances, add databases and users, and list operations.

    Runs code · references/cli-usage.md

  • Connect from Python, Java, Node.js and Go

    Covers client libraries and connectors.

    references/client-library-usage.md

  • Use the Cloud SQL remote MCP server

    Lists 15 tools, including execute_sql and execute_sql_readonly, and the full and read-only endpoints.

    Runs code · references/mcp-usage.md

  • Terraform for instances, databases and users

    Infrastructure as code examples.

    references/iac-usage.md

  • Predefined roles, SSL/TLS and Auth Proxy

    Covers IAM roles and secure connections.

    references/iam-security.md

  • Backups, point-in-time recovery, replicas and DR

    Also compares read pools with read replicas and covers Enterprise Plus Advanced DR.

    references/dr-backups.md

From the official docs

Permissions

High risk

The skill runs gcloud commands that create billable Cloud SQL resources and set database passwords in your project. Use a test project, give it only the roles it needs, and approve each command.

What it can do

Watch out for

  • It creates billable cloud resources

    The quick start creates a Cloud SQL instance with 2 CPUs and 7680 MiB of memory. Use a project where that is fine and delete test instances yourself. github.com

  • Admin role and SQL access

    The skill names the Cloud SQL Admin role for full access. Its MCP reference lists execute_sql, restore_backup, update_instance and import_data tools. Use the read-only endpoint when you only want to look. github.com

  • gcloud commands carry a usage tag

    The attribution file sets a metrics attribution variable and a User-Agent suffix naming the skill. It says the tag carries no user data and tells Claude to drop it if you ask to disable tracking. github.com

  • Passwords appear in commands

    The set-password and psql examples include the password on the command line. Use a throwaway password for tests and a secret manager for real ones. github.com

Technical details
Turning on read-onlyreferences/mcp-usage.md lists a read-only MCP endpoint (sqladmin.googleapis.com/mcp/readonly) that limits access to read-only tools such as execute_sql_readonly.
Talks toGoogle Cloud APIs (gcloud and REST). Cloud SQL remote MCP server, if you use it
Sign-in and keysUses your existing gcloud login. The quick start puts the database password in a command (--password=PASSWORD).
Scopes

  • roles/cloudsql.admin

  • roles/mcp.toolUser (for the MCP server)

Questions

What does the cloud-sql-basics skill do?

It guides Claude to create and explain Cloud SQL resources for MySQL, PostgreSQL and SQL Server. It has a PostgreSQL quick start and reference pages for the CLI, client libraries, MCP, Terraform, IAM and backups.

What do I need before using it?

A Google Cloud project with the gcloud CLI signed in, and permissions to manage Cloud SQL. The skill names the Cloud SQL Admin role (roles/cloudsql.admin) as the one with full access. The quick start also runs the Cloud SQL Auth Proxy and psql.

Will it cost money?

Creating a Cloud SQL instance can. The quick start creates an instance with 2 CPUs and 7680 MiB of memory in the region you choose. Check Google Cloud pricing and delete test instances.

Can it run SQL on my database?

Through the Cloud SQL MCP server, if you set it up. That server has execute_sql for any statement and execute_sql_readonly for read-only queries, plus a separate read-only endpoint.

Why do gcloud commands include a skill tag?

Google's skills add a usage attribution tag so Google can attribute usage to the skill. The attribution file says the tag carries only the skill name and version, and that Claude omits it if you ask to disable tracking.

How do I install it?

Use the install box above. The google/skills README documents the skills CLI (npx skills add google/skills). Its plugin routes install separate Google product plugins, not this skill folder. The skill folder has 9 files including SKILL.md.

Is it safe to install?

It bundles no scripts, but it directs Claude to run gcloud and other commands that change your cloud project. Use a test project and approve each command.

Information

updated Nov 2, 2026

Repository
google/skills
Folder
skills/cloud/cloud-sql-basics

google/skillsskills.sh

Sources

Docs, issue trackers and discussions this page is built from.

Show all 5
  1. cloud-sql-basics SKILL.md · github.com
  2. attribution.md · github.com
  3. mcp-usage.md · github.com
  4. cli-usage.md · github.com
  5. google/skills README · github.com

Updated Nov 2, 2026.