cortex-code

Category: Development & Coding | Uploader: sfc-gh-tjia | Downloads: 0 | Version: v1.0（Latest）
Routes Snowflake-related operations to Cortex Code CLI for specialized Snowflake expertise. Use when user asks about Snowflake databases, data warehouses, SQL queries on Snowflake, Cortex AI features, Snowpark, dynamic tables, data governance in Snowflake, Snowflake security, or mentions "Cortex" explicitly. Do NOT use for general programming, local file operations, non-Snowflake databases, web development, or infrastructure tasks unrelated to Snowflake.
Changelog: Source: GitHub https://github.com/sfc-gh-tjia/claude_skill_cortexcode
Directory Structure

Current level: tree/main/
📁 references/
- 📄 cortex-cli-reference.md 5.2 KB
- 📄 routing-examples.md 8.2 KB
- 📄 troubleshooting-guide.md 9.0 KB
📁 scripts/
- 📄 discover_cortex.py 4.7 KB
- 📄 execute_cortex.py 7.4 KB
- 📄 predict_tools.py 3.0 KB
- 📄 read_cortex_sessions.py 4.5 KB
- 📄 route_request.py 4.4 KB
📄 .gitignore 225 B
📄 README.md 14.3 KB
📄 SKILL.md 11.1 KB
SKILL.md

---
name: cortex-code
description: Routes Snowflake-related operations to Cortex Code CLI for specialized Snowflake expertise. Use when user asks about Snowflake databases, data warehouses, SQL queries on Snowflake, Cortex AI features, Snowpark, dynamic tables, data governance in Snowflake, Snowflake security, or mentions "Cortex" explicitly. Do NOT use for general programming, local file operations, non-Snowflake databases, web development, or infrastructure tasks unrelated to Snowflake.
metadata:
  author: Snowflake Integration Team
  version: 1.0.0
  compatibility: Requires Cortex Code CLI installed and configured
---

# Cortex Code Integration Skill

This skill enables Claude Code to leverage Cortex Code's specialized Snowflake expertise by intelligently routing Snowflake-related operations to Cortex Code CLI in headless mode.

## Architecture Overview

**Routing Principle**: ONLY Snowflake operations → Cortex Code. Everything else → Claude Code.

**Key Components**:
- Dynamic skill discovery at session initialization
- LLM-based semantic routing (not keyword matching)
- Stateless Cortex execution with context enrichment
- Hybrid memory management
- Permission surfacing to user via Claude Code UI

## Session Initialization

When this skill is first loaded in a Claude Code session:

### Step 1: Discover Cortex Capabilities
```bash
python scripts/discover_cortex.py
```

This script:
1. Runs `cortex skill list` to enumerate all available Cortex skills
2. Reads each skill's SKILL.md frontmatter and trigger patterns
3. Caches capabilities in `/tmp/cortex-capabilities.json` for this session
4. Returns structured data about what Cortex can handle

Expected output: JSON mapping of skill names to their trigger patterns and capabilities.

### Step 2: Load Routing Context
The discovered capabilities are loaded into memory to inform routing decisions throughout the session.

## Workflow: Handling User Requests

### Step 1: Analyze Request with LLM-Based Routing

Before taking any action, analyze the user's request:

```bash
python scripts/route_request.py --prompt "USER_PROMPT_HERE"
```

This script:
1. Loads Cortex capabilities from cache
2. Uses LLM reasoning to classify the request
3. Returns routing decision with confidence score

**Routing Logic**:
- **Route to Cortex** if request involves:
  - Snowflake databases, warehouses, schemas, tables
  - SQL queries specifically for Snowflake
  - Cortex AI features (Cortex Search, Cortex Analyst, ML functions)
  - Snowpark, dynamic tables, streams, tasks
  - Data governance, data quality, or security in Snowflake context
  - User explicitly mentions "Cortex" or "Snowflake"

- **Route to Claude Code** if request involves:
  - Local file operations (reading, writing, editing local files)
  - General programming (Python, JavaScript, etc. not Snowflake-specific)
  - Non-Snowflake databases (PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB, etc.)
  - Web development, frontend work
  - Infrastructure/DevOps unrelated to Snowflake
  - Git operations, GitHub, version control

### Step 2: Execute Based on Routing Decision

#### If routed to Claude Code:
Handle the request directly using Claude Code's built-in capabilities. No Cortex involvement.

#### If routed to Cortex Code:
Proceed to Step 3.

### Step 3: Choose Security Envelope

Determine the appropriate security envelope based on the operation:
- **RO** (Read-Only): For queries and read operations - blocks Edit, Write, destructive Bash
- **RW** (Read-Write): For data modifications - allows most operations, blocks destructive Bash
- **RESEARCH**: For exploratory work - read access plus web tools
- **DEPLOY**: For full access - no blocklist (use cautiously)
- **NONE**: Custom blocklist via --disallowed-tools

### Step 4: Enrich Context for Cortex

Build an enriched prompt that includes:

**Claude Conversation Context**:
- Last 2-3 relevant exchanges from current Claude session
- Any Snowflake-specific details already discussed

**Recent Cortex Session Context**:
```bash
python scripts/read_cortex_sessions.py --limit 3
```

This reads the most recent Cortex session files from `~/.local/share/cortex/sessions/` to understand what Cortex recently worked on.

**Enriched Prompt Format**:
```
# Context from Claude Code Session
[Recent relevant conversation history]

# Recent Cortex Work
[Summary from recent Cortex sessions]

# User Request
[Original user prompt]
```

### Step 5: Execute Cortex Code Headlessly

```bash
python scripts/execute_cortex.py \
  --prompt "ENRICHED_PROMPT" \
  --connection "connection_name" \
  --envelope "RW" \
  --disallowed-tools "tool1" "tool2"
```

This script:
1. Invokes `cortex -p "prompt" --output-format stream-json --input-format stream-json`
2. Uses `--input-format stream-json` to enable programmatic mode with auto-approval of all tools
3. Applies envelope-based security via `--disallowed-tools` blocklist for safety
4. Parses NDJSON event stream in real-time
5. Detects tool use events and execution results

**Key Insight**: `--input-format stream-json` puts Cortex in programmatic mode where all tool calls auto-execute without interactive permission prompts. This works for both built-in and non-builtin tools (snowflake_sql_execute, data_diff, MCP tools, etc.) without requiring `--bypass` or `--dangerously-allow-all-tool-calls` which may be disabled by organization policy.

**Security Envelopes**:
- **RO** (Read-Only): Blocks Edit, Write, destructive Bash commands
- **RW** (Read-Write): Blocks destructive operations like rm -rf, sudo
- **RESEARCH**: Read access plus web tools, blocks write operations
- **DEPLOY**: Full access with no blocklist
- **NONE**: Custom blocklist via --disallowed-tools parameter

**Event Stream Handling**:
- `type: assistant` → Cortex's responses, display to user
- `type: tool_use` → Cortex is calling a tool
- `type: result` → Final outcome

### Step 6: Handle Permission Requests (Legacy)

Note: With `--input-format stream-json`, permission requests no longer occur as all tools are auto-approved. Security is controlled via the `--disallowed-tools` blocklist instead.

If custom permission handling is needed, implement it at the routing layer by:
1. Choosing appropriate envelope (RO/RW/RESEARCH/DEPLOY)
2. Adding specific tools to disallowed list
3. Asking user for approval before execution if needed

### Step 7: Return Results to User

Format Cortex's output for Claude Code context:
- Show SQL query results in readable format
- Display any generated artifacts
- Report success/failure status
- Provide relevant excerpts from Cortex's analysis

## Examples

### Example 1: Snowflake Query
**User says**: "Show me the top 10 customers by revenue in Snowflake"

**Routing**: → Cortex Code (Snowflake SQL query)

**Security Envelope**: RW (allows SQL execution)

**Cortex Action**:
1. Uses snowflake_sql_execute to run: `SELECT customer_name, SUM(revenue) as total FROM sales GROUP BY customer_name ORDER BY total DESC LIMIT 10`
2. Returns formatted results

**Result**: Table displayed to user with top 10 customers.

### Example 2: Local File Operation
**User says**: "Read the config.json file in this directory"

**Routing**: → Claude Code (local file operation)

**Claude Action**: Uses Read tool directly, no Cortex involvement.

**Result**: File contents displayed.

### Example 3: Data Quality Check
**User says**: "Check data quality for the SALES_DATA table"

**Routing**: → Cortex Code (Snowflake data quality - matches Cortex's data-quality skill)

**Security Envelope**: RW (allows SQL execution for analysis)

**Cortex Action**:
1. Runs data quality checks using its data-quality skill
2. Analyzes schema, null rates, duplicates, etc.
3. Generates quality report

**Result**: Comprehensive data quality report with recommendations.

## Important Notes

### Programmatic Mode with Auto-Approval
Using `--input-format stream-json` enables programmatic mode where:
- All tool calls are automatically approved without interactive prompts
- Works for built-in tools (Read, Write, Edit, Bash, Grep, Glob) and non-builtin tools (snowflake_sql_execute, data_diff, MCP tools)
- Bypasses organization policies that block `--bypass` or `--dangerously-allow-all-tool-calls`
- Security is controlled via `--disallowed-tools` blocklist instead of interactive approval

### Stateless Execution
Each Cortex invocation is stateless. Context must be explicitly provided via enriched prompts.

### Memory Boundaries
- **Claude Code maintains**: Full conversation history, user preferences, project context
- **Cortex Code receives**: Only task-specific context for current operation
- **Cortex sessions are read**: For historical context enrichment only

### Security Envelope Strategy
Choose envelopes based on operation risk:
1. **Start with RO or RW**: Most operations fit here
2. **Use RESEARCH**: When web access is needed for exploratory work
3. **Use DEPLOY**: Only for operations requiring full access (e.g., git push, sudo)
4. **Use NONE with custom blocklist**: When fine-grained control is needed

### Performance Considerations
- Cortex skill discovery runs once per Claude Code session (cached)
- Each Cortex execution adds ~2-5 seconds latency
- Use routing wisely to minimize unnecessary Cortex calls

## Troubleshooting

### Error: "Cortex CLI not found"
**Cause**: Cortex Code is not installed or not in PATH

**Solution**:
```bash
which cortex
# If not found, check installation: ~/.snowflake/cortex/
```

### Error: "Permission denied" despite programmatic mode
**Cause**: Tool is in the --disallowed-tools blocklist for current envelope

**Solution**:
1. Check which envelope is being used (RO/RW/RESEARCH/DEPLOY)
2. If operation is safe, switch to a less restrictive envelope
3. Or use envelope="NONE" with custom --disallowed-tools list

### Error: Tools still requiring approval
**Cause**: Missing `--input-format stream-json` flag

**Solution**: Ensure both `--output-format stream-json` AND `--input-format stream-json` are present. The input format flag is what enables programmatic auto-approval mode.

### Issue: Routing sends Snowflake query to Claude Code
**Cause**: Routing logic didn't detect Snowflake keywords

**Solution**:
1. Check if user mentioned "Snowflake" explicitly
2. Review routing script logic in `scripts/route_request.py`
3. Add more trigger patterns to routing context

### Issue: Cortex returns "Connection refused"
**Cause**: Snowflake connection not configured in Cortex

**Solution**:
```bash
cortex connections list
# Verify connection is active
# Check ~/.snowflake/cortex/settings.json for cortexAgentConnectionName
```

### Issue: Context enrichment too large
**Cause**: Including too much conversation history

**Solution**: Limit to last 2-3 relevant exchanges, summarize older context.

## Advanced: Custom Routing Rules

To customize routing beyond default logic, edit `scripts/route_request.py`:

```python
# Add custom patterns
FORCE_CORTEX_PATTERNS = [
    "snowflake",
    "cortex",
    "warehouse",
    "snowpark"
]

FORCE_CLAUDE_PATTERNS = [
    "local file",
    "git commit",
    "python script" # unless Snowpark
]
```

## References

See `references/` directory for:
- `cortex-cli-reference.md` - Full Cortex CLI documentation
- `routing-examples.md` - More routing decision examples
- `session-file-format.md` - Cortex session file structure
- `troubleshooting-guide.md` - Extended troubleshooting
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