data-designer
Use when the user wants to create a dataset, generate synthetic data, or build a data generation pipeline.
Best use case
data-designer is best used when you need a repeatable AI agent workflow instead of a one-off prompt.
Use when the user wants to create a dataset, generate synthetic data, or build a data generation pipeline.
Teams using data-designer should expect a more consistent output, faster repeated execution, less prompt rewriting.
When to use this skill
- You want a reusable workflow that can be run more than once with consistent structure.
When not to use this skill
- You only need a quick one-off answer and do not need a reusable workflow.
- You cannot install or maintain the underlying files, dependencies, or repository context.
Installation
Claude Code / Cursor / Codex
Manual Installation
- Download SKILL.md from GitHub
- Place it in
.claude/skills/data-designer/SKILL.mdinside your project - Restart your AI agent — it will auto-discover the skill
How data-designer Compares
| Feature / Agent | data-designer | Standard Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Platform Support | Not specified | Limited / Varies |
| Context Awareness | High | Baseline |
| Installation Complexity | Unknown | N/A |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does this skill do?
Use when the user wants to create a dataset, generate synthetic data, or build a data generation pipeline.
Where can I find the source code?
You can find the source code on GitHub using the link provided at the top of the page.
SKILL.md Source
# Before You Start
Do not explore the workspace first. The workflow's Learn step gives you everything you need.
# Goal
Build a synthetic dataset using the Data Designer library that matches this description:
$ARGUMENTS
# Workflow
Use **Autopilot** mode if the user implies they don't want to answer questions — e.g., they say something like "be opinionated", "you decide", "make reasonable assumptions", "just build it", "surprise me", etc. Otherwise, use **Interactive** mode (default).
Read **only** the workflow file that matches the selected mode, then follow it:
- **Interactive** → read `workflows/interactive.md`
- **Autopilot** → read `workflows/autopilot.md`
# Rules
- Keep all columns in the output by default. The only exceptions for dropping a column are: (1) the user explicitly asks, or (2) it is a helper column that exists solely to derive other columns (e.g., a sampled person object used to extract name, city, etc.). When in doubt, keep the column.
- Do not suggest or ask about seed datasets. Only use one when the user explicitly provides seed data or asks to build from existing records. When using a seed, read `references/seed-datasets.md`.
- When the dataset requires person data (names, demographics, addresses), read `references/person-sampling.md`.
- If a dataset script that matches the dataset description already exists, ask the user whether to edit it or create a new one.
# Usage Tips and Common Pitfalls
- **Sampler and validation columns need both a type and params.** E.g., `sampler_type="category"` with `params=dd.CategorySamplerParams(...)`.
- **Jinja2 templates** in `prompt`, `system_prompt`, and `expr` fields: reference columns with `{{ column_name }}`, nested fields with `{{ column_name.field }}`.
- **`SamplerColumnConfig`:** Takes `params`, not `sampler_params`.
- **LLM judge score access:** `LLMJudgeColumnConfig` produces a nested dict where each score name maps to `{reasoning: str, score: int}`. To get the numeric score, use the `.score` attribute. For example, for a judge column named `quality` with a score named `correctness`, use `{{ quality.correctness.score }}`. Using `{{ quality.correctness }}` returns the full dict, not the numeric score.
# Troubleshooting
- **`data-designer` CLI not found:** Tell the user that `data-designer` is not installed in this environment (requires Python >= 3.10). Ask if they would like you to create a virtual environment and install it, or if they prefer to do it themselves. Do not install anything without the user's permission.
- **Network errors during preview:** A sandbox environment may be blocking outbound requests. Ask the user for permission to retry the command with the sandbox disabled. Only as a last resort, if retrying outside the sandbox also fails, tell the user to run the command themselves.
# Output Template
Write a Python file to the current directory with a `load_config_builder()` function returning a `DataDesignerConfigBuilder`. Name the file descriptively (e.g., `customer_reviews.py`). Use PEP 723 inline metadata for dependencies.
```python
# /// script
# dependencies = [
# "data-designer", # always required
# "pydantic", # only if this script imports from pydantic
# # add additional dependencies here
# ]
# ///
import data_designer.config as dd
from pydantic import BaseModel, Field
# Use Pydantic models when the output needs to conform to a specific schema
class MyStructuredOutput(BaseModel):
field_one: str = Field(description="...")
field_two: int = Field(description="...")
# Use custom generators when built-in column types aren't enough
@dd.custom_column_generator(
required_columns=["col_a"],
side_effect_columns=["extra_col"],
)
def generator_function(row: dict) -> dict:
# add custom logic here that depends on "col_a" and update row in place
row["name_in_custom_column_config"] = "custom value"
row["extra_col"] = "extra value"
return row
def load_config_builder() -> dd.DataDesignerConfigBuilder:
config_builder = dd.DataDesignerConfigBuilder()
# Seed dataset (only if the user explicitly mentions a seed dataset path)
# config_builder.with_seed_dataset(dd.LocalFileSeedSource(path="path/to/seed.parquet"))
# config_builder.add_column(...)
# config_builder.add_processor(...)
return config_builder
```
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