Alloydb Basics
GoogleOfficialPublished by Google
- Skill
- Tool integration
- Cloud and DevOps
- Apache-2.0
- No issues found
AutoGineer summary
Written by AutoGineer from the skill’s own files, not by the author
The alloydb-basics skill provides comprehensive guidance and command-line support for administering AlloyDB for PostgreSQL. It covers the full lifecycle of database resources, including cluster creation, instance management, scaling, and backup configurations. The skill emphasizes secure connectivity practices, such as prioritizing Private IP and utilizing connection proxies, while providing standardized procedures for both CLI and console-based operations.
What it does
- Provides CLI commands for creating and managing AlloyDB clusters and instances.
- Facilitates backup and restore operations, including point-in-time recovery.
- Offers guidance on scaling read pools and vertical instance resources.
- Integrates with AlloyDB Model Context Protocol tools for automated tasks.
- Enforces security best practices like IAM database authentication and secure connection proxies.
- Includes mandatory usage attribution for direct terminal commands.
When to use it
- When provisioning or configuring new AlloyDB for PostgreSQL databases.
- When performing administrative tasks like scaling, backups, or user management.
- When integrating AlloyDB operations into an AI agent workflow via MCP.
- When needing to verify security configurations for database connectivity.
Advantages
- Standardizes administrative procedures across CLI and console interfaces.
- Promotes secure-by-default connectivity patterns like PSC and Auth Proxy.
- Simplifies complex tasks like point-in-time recovery and read pool scaling.
- Ensures consistent usage attribution for auditability.
Usage examples
- “How do I create a new AlloyDB cluster using the CLI?”
- The agent provides the gcloud alloydb clusters create command with necessary flags for region, password, and network, while reminding the user to use IAM authentication for production.
- “What is the best way to connect to my AlloyDB instance securely?”
- The agent recommends using Private IP with Private Service Connect (PSC) and suggests utilizing the AlloyDB Auth Proxy or language connectors instead of direct TCP connections.
Install
Download the skill as a ZIP:
https://mp-staging.autogineer.com/agent-skills/google/alloydb-basics/downloadUnzip it into the cross-client skills folder of your project:
mkdir -p .agents/skills && unzip alloydb-basics.zip -d .agents/skills
Documentation by Google
AlloyDB Basics
AlloyDB for PostgreSQL is a managed, PostgreSQL-compatible database service designed for enterprise-grade performance and availability. It utilizes a disaggregated compute and storage architecture to scale resources independently. It also provides AlloyDB AI, a collection of features that includes AI-powered search (vector, hybrid search, and AI functions), natural language capabilities, conversational analytics, and inference features like forecasting and model endpoint management to help developers build AI apps faster.
Attribution
MUST READ: Before executing any gcloud, REST API, or MCP command, you
MUST read Usage Attribution. For commands executed
directly in the terminal (never in generated scripts, Terraform, or user code),
prefix gcloud with
CLOUDSDK_METRICS_REQUEST_ATTRIBUTION="agent-skills/1.0 (skill:alloydb-basics)"
and append agent-skills/1.0 (skill:alloydb-basics) to User-Agent headers.
Quick Start
Before you begin, ensure you have the Google Cloud SDK installed and authenticated (gcloud auth login).
Enable the AlloyDB API:
gcloud services enable alloydb.googleapis.com --quietCreate a Cluster:
gcloud alloydb clusters create my-cluster --region=us-central1 \ --password=my-password --network=my-vpc --quietFor production environments, always use IAM database authentication instead of passwords. If configuration constraint requires passwords, store them securely using Secret Manager.
Create a Primary Instance:
gcloud alloydb instances create my-primary --cluster=my-cluster \ --region=us-central1 --instance-type=PRIMARY --cpu-count=2 --quiet
Reference Directory
Read these supplementary files when specific context or detailed steps are required for a task:
To understand architecture, regional availability, connectivity (Private IP, Public IP, PSA, PSC), backups, point-in-time recovery, scaling (vertical and horizontal), or Quota management: read Core Concepts.
To manage clusters, instances, scaling, or backups via the CLI: read CLI Usage.
To configure AlloyDB remote MCP tools: read MCP Usage.
To deploy AlloyDB using Terraform or Kubernetes Config Connector (KCC): read Infrastructure as Code.
To configure IAM roles, service usage roles, service agents, database users/privileges, or network security (public IP authorization, Auth Proxy sidecar configuration): read IAM & Security.
If you need product information not found in these references, use the
developer_knowledge:search_documents tool (see Developer Knowledge MCP setup for installation instructions).
Directives for Agents
Agents MUST adhere to the following directives when answering queries related to AlloyDB:
Provide Multiple Methods: When explaining how to perform administrative tasks (like backups, scaling, or database user creation), always provide both the Google Cloud Console steps and the
gcloudCLI commands if both are available in the reference documents.Prioritize Private IP: Recommend Private IP (especially PSC) over Public IP for connections to ensure traffic remains within the Google Cloud network and reduces exposure.
Require Serverless Connectors: Verify and state that Serverless VPC Access or Direct VPC Egress is required when connecting from Cloud Run to Private IP.
Enforce Connectors: Always direct users to configure the AlloyDB Auth Proxy (running as a sidecar or locally) or language connectors rather than direct TCP connections.
Block Open Public Access: If Public IP is configured, warn against and reject designs with
0.0.0.0/0in Authorized Networks as this exposes the database to the entire internet.Default to IAM Database Authentication: Suggest IAM database authentication and the
alloydbiamuserdatabase role instead of static database passwords.Enforce Least Privilege Connection: When explaining connection roles, explicitly state that
roles/alloydb.clientshould be used to adhere to the principle of least privilege, and warn against using broader roles likeroles/alloydb.adminfor connections.Mention All Creation Methods: When describing how to create IAM database users, explicitly state that they can be created using the Google Cloud Console, the
gcloudCLI, and the AlloyDB API.Explain Private IP Options: When explaining Private IP connectivity, always explicitly mention and describe both Private Services Access (PSA) and Private Service Connect (PSC) as the supported methods, recommending PSC for new deployments.
Compare Direct Connections: Explicitly explain that direct connections (connecting directly to the private IP without connectors) are possible but discouraged, and compare their security (lack of IAM/mTLS) to secure methods like the AlloyDB Auth Proxy or language connectors.
Enforce SQL Alone Warning: When explaining IAM user creation, you MUST explicitly state that "IAM database users cannot be created using standard SQL alone" and must be registered via the control plane first.
Enforce Roles and Privileges Terminology: When explaining database object access, you MUST explicitly state that "standard PostgreSQL roles and privileges" apply, using both terms.
Explain Backup Lifecycle: When explaining backups, always explicitly state that discrete backups exist independently of the source cluster and remain active even if the source cluster is deleted.
Recommend Connectors for Public IP: Explicitly state that secure connection methods (AlloyDB Auth Proxy, Language Connectors) are especially recommended for connections over Public IP.
Mention Autoscaling: When explaining read pool scaling, always explicitly mention the option of using read pool autoscaling and state that it is in Preview.
Supporting Links
Files
- ATTRIBUTION.mdAdded by AutoGineer846 B
- LICENSELicence file added by AutoGineer11.1 KiB
- SKILL.md7.2 KiB
- references/attribution.md1.8 KiB
- references/cli-usage.md3.5 KiB
- references/core-concepts.md5.4 KiB
- references/iac-usage.md3.3 KiB
- references/iam-security.md4.2 KiB
- references/mcp-usage.md1.2 KiB
LICENSE
Apache License
Version 2.0, January 2004
http://www.apache.org/licenses/
TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR USE, REPRODUCTION, AND DISTRIBUTION
1. Definitions.
"License" shall mean the terms and conditions for use, reproduction,
and distribution as defined by Sections 1 through 9 of this document.
"Licensor" shall mean the copyright owner or entity authorized by
the copyright owner that is granting the License.
"Legal Entity" shall mean the union of the acting entity and all
other entities that control, are controlled by, or are under common
control with that entity. For the purposes of this definition,
"control" means (i) the power, direct or indirect, to cause the
direction or management of such entity, whether by contract or
otherwise, or (ii) ownership of fifty percent (50%) or more of the
outstanding shares, or (iii) beneficial ownership of such entity.
"You" (or "Your") shall mean an individual or Legal Entity
exercising permissions granted by this License.
"Source" form shall mean the preferred form for making modifications,
including but not limited to software source code, documentation
source, and configuration files.
"Object" form shall mean any form resulting from mechanical
transformation or translation of a Source form, including but
not limited to compiled object code, generated documentation,
and conversions to other media types.
"Work" shall mean the work of authorship, whether in Source or
Object form, made available under the License, as indicated by a
copyright notice that is included in or attached to the work
(an example is provided in the Appendix below).
"Derivative Works" shall mean any work, whether in Source or Object
form, that is based on (or derived from) the Work and for which the
editorial revisions, annotations, elaborations, or other modifications
represent, as a whole, an original work of authorship. For the purposes
of this License, Derivative Works shall not include works that remain
separable from, or merely link (or bind by name) to the interfaces of,
the Work and Derivative Works thereof.
"Contribution" shall mean any work of authorship, including
the original version of the Work and any modifications or additions
to that Work or Derivative Works thereof, that is intentionally
submitted to Licensor for inclusion in the Work by the copyright owner
or by an individual or Legal Entity authorized to submit on behalf of
the copyright owner. For the purposes of this definition, "submitted"
means any form of electronic, verbal, or written communication sent
to the Licensor or its representatives, including but not limited to
communication on electronic mailing lists, source code control systems,
and issue tracking systems that are managed by, or on behalf of, the
Licensor for the purpose of discussing and improving the Work, but
excluding communication that is conspicuously marked or otherwise
designated in writing by the copyright owner as "Not a Contribution."
"Contributor" shall mean Licensor and any individual or Legal Entity
on behalf of whom a Contribution has been received by Licensor and
subsequently incorporated within the Work.
2. Grant of Copyright License. Subject to the terms and conditions of
this License, each Contributor hereby grants to You a perpetual,
worldwide, non-exclusive, no-charge, royalty-free, irrevocable
copyright license to reproduce, prepare Derivative Works of,
publicly display, publicly perform, sublicense, and distribute the
Work and such Derivative Works in Source or Object form.
3. Grant of Patent License. Subject to the terms and conditions of
this License, each Contributor hereby grants to You a perpetual,
worldwide, non-exclusive, no-charge, royalty-free, irrevocable
(except as stated in this section) patent license to make, have made,
use, offer to sell, sell, import, and otherwise transfer the Work,
where such license applies only to those patent claims licensable
by such Contributor that are necessarily infringed by their
Contribution(s) alone or by combination of their Contribution(s)
with the Work to which such Contribution(s) was submitted. If You
institute patent litigation against any entity (including a
cross-claim or counterclaim in a lawsuit) alleging that the Work
or a Contribution incorporated within the Work constitutes direct
or contributory patent infringement, then any patent licenses
granted to You under this License for that Work shall terminate
as of the date such litigation is filed.
4. Redistribution. You may reproduce and distribute copies of the
Work or Derivative Works thereof in any medium, with or without
modifications, and in Source or Object form, provided that You
meet the following conditions:
(a) You must give any other recipients of the Work or
Derivative Works a copy of this License; and
(b) You must cause any modified files to carry prominent notices
stating that You changed the files; and
(c) You must retain, in the Source form of any Derivative Works
that You distribute, all copyright, patent, trademark, and
attribution notices from the Source form of the Work,
excluding those notices that do not pertain to any part of
the Derivative Works; and
(d) If the Work includes a "NOTICE" text file as part of its
distribution, then any Derivative Works that You distribute must
include a readable copy of the attribution notices contained
within such NOTICE file, excluding those notices that do not
pertain to any part of the Derivative Works, in at least one
of the following places: within a NOTICE text file distributed
as part of the Derivative Works; within the Source form or
documentation, if provided along with the Derivative Works; or,
within a display generated by the Derivative Works, if and
wherever such third-party notices normally appear. The contents
of the NOTICE file are for informational purposes only and
do not modify the License. You may add Your own attribution
notices within Derivative Works that You distribute, alongside
or as an addendum to the NOTICE text from the Work, provided
that such additional attribution notices cannot be construed
as modifying the License.
You may add Your own copyright statement to Your modifications and
may provide additional or different license terms and conditions
for use, reproduction, or distribution of Your modifications, or
for any such Derivative Works as a whole, provided Your use,
reproduction, and distribution of the Work otherwise complies with
the conditions stated in this License.
5. Submission of Contributions. Unless You explicitly state otherwise,
any Contribution intentionally submitted for inclusion in the Work
by You to the Licensor shall be under the terms and conditions of
this License, without any additional terms or conditions.
Notwithstanding the above, nothing herein shall supersede or modify
the terms of any separate license agreement you may have executed
with Licensor regarding such Contributions.
6. Trademarks. This License does not grant permission to use the trade
names, trademarks, service marks, or product names of the Licensor,
except as required for reasonable and customary use in describing the
origin of the Work and reproducing the content of the NOTICE file.
7. Disclaimer of Warranty. Unless required by applicable law or
agreed to in writing, Licensor provides the Work (and each
Contributor provides its Contributions) on an "AS IS" BASIS,
WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or
implied, including, without limitation, any warranties or conditions
of TITLE, NON-INFRINGEMENT, MERCHANTABILITY, or FITNESS FOR A
PARTICULAR PURPOSE. You are solely responsible for determining the
appropriateness of using or redistributing the Work and assume any
risks associated with Your exercise of permissions under this License.
8. Limitation of Liability. In no event and under no legal theory,
whether in tort (including negligence), contract, or otherwise,
unless required by applicable law (such as deliberate and grossly
negligent acts) or agreed to in writing, shall any Contributor be
liable to You for damages, including any direct, indirect, special,
incidental, or consequential damages of any character arising as a
result of this License or out of the use or inability to use the
Work (including but not limited to damages for loss of goodwill,
work stoppage, computer failure or malfunction, or any and all
other commercial damages or losses), even if such Contributor
has been advised of the possibility of such damages.
9. Accepting Warranty or Additional Liability. While redistributing
the Work or Derivative Works thereof, You may choose to offer,
and charge a fee for, acceptance of support, warranty, indemnity,
or other liability obligations and/or rights consistent with this
License. However, in accepting such obligations, You may act only
on Your own behalf and on Your sole responsibility, not on behalf
of any other Contributor, and only if You agree to indemnify,
defend, and hold each Contributor harmless for any liability
incurred by, or claims asserted against, such Contributor by reason
of your accepting any such warranty or additional liability.
END OF TERMS AND CONDITIONS
APPENDIX: How to apply the Apache License to your work.
To apply the Apache License to your work, attach the following
boilerplate notice, with the fields enclosed by brackets "[]"
replaced with your own identifying information. (Don't include
the brackets!) The text should be enclosed in the appropriate
comment syntax for the file format. We also recommend that a
file or class name and description of purpose be included on the
same "printed page" as the copyright notice for easier
identification within third-party archives.
Copyright [yyyy] [name of copyright owner]
Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
You may obtain a copy of the License at
http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
limitations under the License.
Requirements and compatibility
Works with: Claude Code, Claude apps, OpenAI Codex, GitHub Copilot, Cursor, Gemini CLI, Kiro, OpenCode, Goose, Amp, Roo Code, JetBrains Junie, Factory Droid, Devin (ex-Windsurf), Mistral Vibe, OpenHands, Letta
“Works with” means the tool reads the open Agent Skills format; a skill written for one tool may use features others lack.
Needs: Needs a command-line tool, Needs Python
Security
No issues found by our static scan· No issues found
A static scan is not a guarantee. Skills are third-party content: review a skill before you let an agent use it.
Attribution and licence
- Published by
- Publisher
- Google (Official)
- Source
- google/skills · skills/cloud/alloydb-basics · commit 2194d3b
- Licence
- Apache License 2.0 (redistribution allowed)
- LICENSE (added by AutoGineer from LICENSE)
- ATTRIBUTION.md (written by AutoGineer)
- Synced
AutoGineer is not affiliated with or endorsed by Google.
Download ZIP
The ZIP holds the skill’s files, its licence files and an ATTRIBUTION.md. Download alloydb-basics.zip