# Datalad Get

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- **Type:** Skill
- **Install:** `agentstack add skill-neuroanalytics-data-science-harness-datalad-get`
- **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-get

## Install

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

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

## About

# Skill: datalad-get

Retrieve annexed file content or initialize absent subdatasets. `datalad get` fetches
content from configured siblings (remotes) and makes files accessible locally.

## Steps

1. **Verify DataLad context** — check for `.datalad/` in the current directory or a
   parent:
   ```bash
   ls .datalad/ 2>/dev/null || git rev-parse --show-toplevel
   ```
   If no dataset is found, inform the user and stop — `datalad get` only works inside
   a DataLad dataset.

2. **Identify targets** — read paths, globs, or subdataset handles from `$ARGUMENTS`.
   If not specified, ask the user what they want to retrieve. For large datasets with many
   files, mention `--jobs N` (e.g., `--jobs 4`) to retrieve content in parallel.

   Determine the nature of each target:
   - **File or directory**: retrieve annexed content (`datalad get `)
   - **Subdataset path**: may need `-n` (handle only) or full content (`-r`)

3. **Determine retrieval mode** — ask or infer:
   - **Full content** (default): downloads file data so files are accessible
   - **Handle only** (`-n`): clones the subdataset without downloading file content —
     useful to inspect structure before committing to a large download
   - **Recursive** (`-r`): retrieves content in all subdatasets under the path

4. **Construct command**:
   - Single file or directory:
     ```
     datalad get 
     ```
   - Recursive (all subdatasets + files):
     ```
     datalad get -r 
     ```
   - Subdataset handle only (no file content):
     ```
     datalad get -n 
     ```
   Show the command before executing.

5. **Execute and confirm** — run the command. After completion, verify content is
   accessible:
   ```bash
   ls -lh 
   ```
   Report whether files are now readable (regular files, not broken symlinks).

## Reference

Load `${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/../references/subdataset-patterns.md` for the absent/present
subdataset model, the `-n` handle-only pattern, and the neuroimaging nested layout.

Load `${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/../references/global-options.md` when the user asks about
`--on-failure` behavior during recursive gets, wants JSON output, needs to override a
config value, or asks why a get is failing (suggest `-l debug`).

## Constraints

- `datalad get` is **read-only with respect to dataset metadata** — it never modifies
  tracked state or creates new commits.
- Distinguish "content missing" (needs `datalad get`) from "file untracked" (needs
  `datalad save`) — do not confuse the two.
- Never modify `.gitmodules` directly — if a subdataset is absent, use `datalad get -n`
  to initialize it, not manual git submodule commands.
- Always show the command before executing.
- If retrieval fails due to no configured sibling, suggest running `datalad siblings`
  to check available remotes and `datalad siblings enable -s ` if a special
  remote needs to be activated.

## 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-get
- Seller: https://agentstack.voostack.com/s/neuroanalytics
- Browse the marketplace: https://agentstack.voostack.com/browse

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