# Datalad Clone

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- **Type:** Skill
- **Install:** `agentstack add skill-neuroanalytics-data-science-harness-datalad-clone`
- **Verified:** Yes — security-reviewed for prompt injection and unsafe behavior
- **Seller:** [neuroanalytics](https://agentstack.voostack.com/s/neuroanalytics)
- **Installs:** 0
- **Category:** [Agent Skills](https://agentstack.voostack.com/c/agent-skills)
- **Latest version:** 0.1.0
- **License:** MIT
- **Upstream author:** [neuroanalytics](https://github.com/neuroanalytics)
- **Source:** https://github.com/neuroanalytics/data-science-harness/tree/main/plugins/datalad-cli/skills/datalad-clone

## Install

```sh
agentstack add skill-neuroanalytics-data-science-harness-datalad-clone
```

Requires the [AgentStack CLI](https://agentstack.voostack.com/docs/cli). Works with Claude Code, Cursor, and any MCP-compatible agent.

## About

# Skill: datalad-clone

Obtain a copy of a DataLad dataset from a URL or local path. Optionally register it as
a subdataset inside an existing DataLad dataset (YODA-style nested layout).

## Steps

1. **Identify source** — read the source URL or path from `$ARGUMENTS`. If not provided,
   ask the user for the source before continuing. If the URL begins with `ria+`, this is
   a RIA store. Accepted formats: `ria+ssh://user@host/path`, `ria+http://host/path`,
   `ria+file:///local/path`. Load `${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/../references/siblings-and-remotes.md`
   for RIA store URL details.

2. **Determine mode** — decide whether this clone should be:
   - **Standalone**: a new independent dataset (no `-d` flag)
   - **As a subdataset**: nested inside the current dataset (`-d .`)

   Check whether the current working directory is a DataLad dataset:
   ```bash
   ls .datalad/ 2>/dev/null
   ```
   - If **inside a dataset** and the user mentions "input data", "nested", "subdataset",
     or a target path like `inputs/raw/sub-01` — default to subdataset mode
   - If **not inside a dataset** or the user says "standalone" — use standalone mode
   - If **ambiguous** — ask:
     > "Should this be registered as a subdataset of the current dataset, or cloned
     > as a standalone dataset?"

3. **Determine destination path** — read from `$ARGUMENTS` or derive from the source
   name (last path/URL component, minus `.git`). Show the planned destination and confirm
   if it differs from what the user expects.

4. **Construct and show command**:
   - Standalone:
     ```
     datalad clone  []
     ```
   - As subdataset:
     ```
     datalad clone -d .  
     ```
   When cloning on the same filesystem (e.g., HPC scratch → project directory),
   `--reckless=shared-local` skips the safety copy and is substantially faster. Only use
   on trusted local filesystems.
   Always show the full command before executing.

5. **Execute** — run the command. Report the installed path and the commit SHA recorded.

6. **Post-clone reminder** (subdataset mode only) — after cloning as a subdataset, the
   superdataset's working tree is modified but not yet committed. Remind the user:
   > "The subdataset pointer is not yet saved. Run:
   > `datalad save -m 'add  as subdataset'`
   > to record it in the superdataset history."

## Reference

Load `${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/../references/subdataset-patterns.md` when the user asks
about nested layouts, why `-d .` is needed, or the YODA neuroimaging project structure.

Load `${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/../references/yoda-layout.md` when the user asks about the
YODA directory layout, `.gitattributes` rules, or how `inputs/` and `outputs/` are
structured.

## Constraints

- Never use `git clone` for DataLad datasets — use `datalad clone` to preserve annex
  configuration and special remote registrations.
- Never use `datalad install` — it is a deprecated alias for `datalad clone`.
- Never use `git submodule add` directly — DataLad manages submodule entries via
  `datalad clone -d .`.
- Always show the full command before executing.
- Always prompt for a follow-up `datalad save` after a subdataset clone.

## Source & license

This open-source skill is cataloged on AgentStack and links to its original source — we do not rehost the code.

- **Author:** [neuroanalytics](https://github.com/neuroanalytics)
- **Source:** [neuroanalytics/data-science-harness](https://github.com/neuroanalytics/data-science-harness)
- **License:** MIT

Install and usage instructions live in the source repository linked above.

## Pricing

- **Free** — Free

## Security capabilities

Automated source analysis of v0.1.0 — what this tool can access:

- **Network access:** no
- **Filesystem access:** no
- **Shell / process execution:** no
- **Environment & secrets:** no
- **Dynamic code execution:** no

*"Yes" means the capability is present in the source — more access means more to trust, not that it is unsafe.*


## Versions

- **0.1.0** — security scan: passed — Imported from the upstream source.

## Links

- Listing page: https://agentstack.voostack.com/l/skill-neuroanalytics-data-science-harness-datalad-clone
- Seller: https://agentstack.voostack.com/s/neuroanalytics
- Browse the marketplace: https://agentstack.voostack.com/browse

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