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Cortex Setup

SnowflakeOfficialPublished by Snowflake

  • Skill
  • Workflow
  • Software development
  • Apache-2.0
  • Medium risk

From the author

Install Snowflake CLI and Cortex Code CLI. Use when cortex is not installed, when the user asks to set up Cortex Code, or when routing fails because the CLI is missing. Triggers: setup cortex, install cortex, cortex not found, CLI not installed, set up snowflake.
— the description by Snowflake

AutoGineer summary

Written by AutoGineer from the skill’s own files, not by the author

The cortex-setup skill provides a robust, step-by-step workflow for installing the Snowflake CLI and Cortex Code CLI. It includes critical pre-flight checks to prevent configuration conflicts with existing MCP servers, detects the host operating system, executes the appropriate installation scripts, and verifies the final environment state. The skill also guides the user through establishing their initial Snowflake connection to ensure the environment is ready for development tasks.

What it does

  • Performs a mandatory check for conflicting Snowflake MCP server configurations.
  • Detects the host operating system to determine the correct installation path.
  • Locates and executes bundled installation scripts for Snowflake and Cortex Code CLIs.
  • Provides a fallback installation method via official documentation sources.
  • Verifies successful installation by checking CLI version availability.
  • Assists in configuring initial Snowflake connection credentials.

When to use it

  • When the Cortex Code CLI is missing or not found on the system path.
  • When a user explicitly requests to set up or install Cortex Code.
  • When routing errors occur due to a missing cortex binary.
  • During initial environment setup for Snowflake-based development.

Advantages

  • Prevents environment conflicts by checking for existing MCP server configurations first.
  • Automates the detection and execution of OS-specific installation scripts.
  • Ensures a verified, functional state before concluding the setup process.
  • Provides clear guidance on resolving configuration issues.

Usage examples

“Set up Cortex Code for me.”
The agent will verify your OS, check for existing CLI installations, perform conflict checks, and run the necessary installers to get Cortex Code ready.
“I am getting a routing error because the cortex CLI is missing.”
The agent will trigger the installation workflow to locate, install, and verify the Cortex Code CLI on your system.

Install

  1. Download the skill as a ZIP:

    https://mp-staging.autogineer.com/agent-skills/snowflake-labs/cortex-setup/download
  2. Unzip it into the cross-client skills folder of your project:

    mkdir -p .agents/skills && unzip cortex-setup.zip -d .agents/skills

Documentation by Snowflake

Cortex Code Setup

Install Snowflake CLI (snow) and Cortex Code CLI (cortex) using the appropriate installer for the current OS.

Prerequisite — ALWAYS run this FIRST, unconditionally

Before doing ANYTHING else in this skill, you MUST run this check. This is not optional. Do not skip it even if the CLIs are already installed.

cat ~/.claude/settings.json 2>/dev/null | bash "${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/scripts/run_python.sh" -c "
import sys, json
try:
    settings = json.load(sys.stdin)
    servers = settings.get('mcpServers', {})
    for name, cfg in servers.items():
        cmd = cfg.get('command', '') + ' ' + ' '.join(cfg.get('args', []))
        if 'snowflake' in name.lower() or 'snowflake' in cmd.lower():
            print(f'CONFLICT: {name}')
            sys.exit(1)
except: pass
print('OK: No Snowflake MCP server found')
"

If exit code is 1 (conflict found), STOP IMMEDIATELY and tell the user:

⚠️ Snowflake MCP Server detected. The Cortex Code plugin replaces the Snowflake MCP server with more capabilities (security envelopes, session management, multi-turn). Please disable the MCP server before continuing:

  1. Open ~/.claude/settings.json

  2. Remove the Snowflake MCP server entry from "mcpServers"

  3. Restart Claude Code

Then re-run this setup.

Do NOT proceed. Do NOT check CLI versions. Do NOT install anything. STOP HERE.


When to use

  • Cortex Code CLI is not found on PATH

  • User asks to set up or install Cortex Code

  • Routing failed because cortex binary is missing

Steps

1. Detect OS and check current state
import platform
print(platform.system())  # "Windows", "Darwin", or "Linux"

Windows (Command Prompt or PowerShell):

where cortex 2>nul && cortex --version || echo "cortex not installed"
where snow 2>nul && snow --version || echo "snow not installed"

macOS / Linux:

which cortex 2>/dev/null && cortex --version || echo "cortex not installed"
which snow 2>/dev/null && snow --version || echo "snow not installed"
2. Install Cortex Code CLI

The installer is bundled with the snowflake-ai-kit repo. Find and run it:

Step 3a — Find the installer:

macOS / Linux:

find ~ -maxdepth 4 -name "install.sh" -path "*/snowflake-ai-kit/*" 2>/dev/null | head -1

Windows (PowerShell):

Get-ChildItem -Path $HOME -Recurse -Depth 4 -Filter "install.ps1" -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue | Where-Object { $_.FullName -match "snowflake-ai-kit" } | Select-Object -First 1 -ExpandProperty FullName

Step 3b — Run the installer:

If found (macOS/Linux):

bash /path/to/snowflake-ai-kit/install.sh

If found (Windows — look for install.ps1 in the same directory):

powershell -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File /path/to/snowflake-ai-kit/install.ps1

If NOT found, install Cortex Code CLI directly:

curl -fsSL https://docs.snowflake.com/en/user-guide/cortex-code/cortex-code-cli | bash

Or follow the official install guide: https://docs.snowflake.com/en/user-guide/cortex-code/cortex-code-cli

The installer handles Snowflake CLI, Cortex Code CLI, and connection verification.

3. Verify installation

Windows:

where cortex && cortex --version
where snow && snow --version

macOS / Linux:

which cortex && cortex --version
which snow && snow --version

Both commands should return version numbers.

4. Set up Snowflake connection

Check if a connection exists:

snow connection list

If no connections exist, prompt the user to create one:

snow connection add

This is interactive — the user will need to provide their Snowflake account URL, username, and authentication method.

5. Confirm routing works

After setup, the cortex-router skill should work. Tell the user to try their original Snowflake prompt again.

Notes

  • Cortex Code CLI installer requires an active internet connection

  • On macOS, Homebrew may be used as a fallback for Snow CLI

  • Do NOT suggest pip install snowflake-cortex-code or similar — that package does not exist

  • On Windows, if bash is not available, use the PowerShell (install.ps1) or npx method

Files

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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 an MCP server, Needs network access, Needs Python, Needs Node.js

Security

What our scanner noticed· Medium risk

  • Instructions that use the network
  • Downloads piped into a shell

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
Snowflake
Publisher
Snowflake (Official)
Source
Snowflake-Labs/snowflake-ai-kit · plugins/cortex-code/skills/cortex-setup · commit 6a9165f
Licence
Apache License 2.0 (redistribution allowed)
  • LICENSE (added by AutoGineer from LICENSE)
  • ATTRIBUTION.md (written by AutoGineer)
Synced

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Download ZIP

The ZIP holds the skill’s files, its licence files and an ATTRIBUTION.md. Download cortex-setup.zip