neo4j-cli-tools-skill

Original：🇺🇸 English
Translated

Use when working with Neo4j command-line tools including neo4j-admin, cypher-shell, aura-cli, and neo4j-mcp

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NPX Install

npx skill4agent add neo4j-contrib/neo4j-skills neo4j-cli-tools-skill

Tags

Translated version includes tags in frontmatter
neo4jcommand-line-toolsdatabase-managementcypher-queryai-agent-integration

SKILL.md Content

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Neo4j CLI Tools skill

This skill provides comprehensive guidance on Neo4j command-line tools for database administration, query execution, cloud management, and AI agent integration.

When to use

Use this skill when:
  • Setting up or configuring Neo4j databases via command line
  • Running administrative tasks with neo4j-admin
  • Executing Cypher queries from the command line
  • Managing Neo4j Aura cloud instances
  • Setting up the Neo4j MCP server for AI agents
  • Troubleshooting Neo4j CLI tool issues
  • Migrating or backing up databases using CLI tools

Available CLI Tools

1. neo4j-admin

Purpose: Comprehensive database administration tool
Categories:
  • dbms
    - System-wide administration for single and clustered environments
  • server
    - Server-level management tasks
  • database
    - Database-specific operations (backup, restore, import, migrate)
  • backup
    - Backup and restore operations
Common Use Cases:
  • Database backup and restore
  • Data import and export
  • Server memory recommendations
  • Initial password setup
  • Database health checks
Reference: neo4j-admin-reference.md

2. cypher-shell

Purpose: Interactive command-line tool for executing Cypher queries
Key Features:
  • Interactive REPL for ad-hoc queries
  • Script execution from files
  • Parameterized query support
  • Multiple output formats (verbose, plain, auto)
  • Remote database connections
Common Use Cases:
  • Running Cypher queries from terminal
  • Batch processing with query files
  • Database exploration and debugging
  • CI/CD pipeline integration
  • Scripted data operations
Requirements: Java 21
Reference: cypher-shell-reference.md

3. aura-cli

Purpose: Command-line interface for managing Neo4j Aura cloud resources
Key Features:
  • Instance provisioning and management
  • Tenant administration
  • Credential management
  • Graph Analytics operations
  • Customer-managed keys
Common Use Cases:
  • Automating Aura instance creation
  • Managing cloud database lifecycles
  • CI/CD integration for cloud deployments
  • Programmatic resource provisioning
Reference: aura-cli-reference.md

4. neo4j-mcp

Purpose: Model Context Protocol server for Neo4j integration with AI agents
Key Features:
  • Enables AI agents to interact with Neo4j
  • Tools for query execution and schema inspection
  • Read-only and read-write modes
  • Multiple transport modes (stdio, http)
  • Works with all Neo4j deployment types
Common Use Cases:
  • Integrating Neo4j with Claude or other AI agents
  • Building AI-powered graph applications
  • Natural language to Cypher translation
  • Automated data analysis workflows
Requirements: Neo4j instance with APOC plugin
Reference: neo4j-mcp-reference.md

Instructions

When a user asks about Neo4j CLI tools:
  1. Identify the appropriate tool based on the use case:
    • Administration tasks → neo4j-admin
    • Query execution → cypher-shell
    • Cloud management → aura-cli
    • AI agent integration → neo4j-mcp
  2. Check prerequisites:
    • For cypher-shell: Verify Java 21 is installed
    • For neo4j-mcp: Verify APOC plugin is available
    • For aura-cli: Verify credentials are configured
  3. Provide practical examples:
    • Always include actual command syntax
    • Show common parameter combinations
    • Include environment variable alternatives
    • Demonstrate error handling where relevant
  4. Reference detailed documentation:
    • Include the appropriate reference file from 
      references/
      directory
    • Point to official Neo4j documentation for latest updates
    • Mention version-specific considerations
  5. Installation guidance:
    • neo4j-admin and cypher-shell: Included with Neo4j installation
    • aura-cli: Download from GitHub releases
    • neo4j-mcp: Download binary from official repository
    • Include installation verification steps

Important Notes

  • All commands support 
    --help
    for detailed usage information
  • Configuration priority: CLI flags > environment variables > config files
  • Neo4j 2026.01 is the current version (as of documentation date)
  • Always execute neo4j-admin commands as the Neo4j system user
  • Exit code 0 indicates success; non-zero indicates errors

Environment Variables

Common environment variables across tools:
  • NEO4J_URI
    / 
    NEO4J_ADDRESS
    - Database connection URI
  • NEO4J_USERNAME
    - Database username
  • NEO4J_PASSWORD
    - Database password
  • NEO4J_DATABASE
    - Target database name
  • NEO4J_CONF
    - Path to neo4j.conf directory
  • NEO4J_HOME
    - Neo4j installation directory

Resources