Neo4j Cypher Skill

This is a dense reference for writing and optimizing Cypher 25 queries in Neo4j 2025.x and 2026.x. It covers the full query surface: pattern matching, subqueries, quantified path expressions, vector and fulltext search, bulk writes with LOAD CSV, and the newer GQL conformance additions like INSERT, LET, and ACYCLIC. The schema-first protocol is smart, it pushes you to inspect before guessing labels or properties, which prevents the classic mistake of writing queries against imagined data models. Defaults are opinionated in a good way: LIMIT 25 on exploratory reads, MERGE only on constrained keys, directed relationships unless you truly need undirected. If you're doing anything beyond basic MATCH RETURN, especially around performance or newer Cypher features, this will save you from documentation diving.

skills.sh installs: 1.6K
GitHub stars: 121
last updated: Aug 21, 2026

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Install

$ npx -y skills add neo4j-contrib/neo4j-skills --skill neo4j-cypher-skill --agent claude-code

Installs into .claude/skills of the current project.

Files

When to Use

Writing, optimizing, or debugging Cypher queries
Graph pattern matching, QPEs, variable-length paths
Vector/fulltext search, subqueries, batch writes, LOAD CSV

When NOT to Use

Driver migration/API changes → neo4j-migration-skill
DB admin (users, config, backups) → neo4j-cli-tools-skill
Hybrid search that combines vector with fulltext or other ranked sources → neo4j-vector-index-skill

GQL conformance note: LET, FINISH, FILTER, and INSERT are valid Cypher 25 clauses (introduced via GQL conformance, mostly in Neo4j 2025.06). On older versions, fall back to WITH / (omit RETURN) / WHERE / CREATE. INSERT requires &-separated multi-labels and does not support dynamic labels/types.

Pre-flight

?	Known	Unknown
`<db-name>-schema.json` found in project	Use it directly — skip live inspection	—
Schema (from context or live DB)	Use directly	Run Schema-First Protocol
Neo4j version	Use version features	Default to 2025.01 safe set
Executing (not generating)?	Use EXPLAIN + write gate	State query is unvalidated