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Overview

The general-task skill is the baseline workflow for any GDELT Cloud query that doesn’t fit a more specialized skill. It covers tool selection, country code formats, progressive disclosure, the scan-zoom-enrich workflow, web search integration, and common pitfalls. Use this skill for: general news research, entity tracking, trending topics, conflict monitoring, or any GDELT Cloud query where a specialized skill isn’t the right fit.

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Skill Resource URI

skill://general-task

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Allowed Tools

get_media_events, get_media_event_cluster, get_entity, get_domain, get_conflict_events, get_conflict_events_summary, get_cameoplus_events, get_cameoplus_events_summary, get_top_entities, web_search, web_extract

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Core Workflow: Scan → Zoom → Enrich

The general-task skill uses a three-step progressive disclosure pattern:
1

Scan

Use get_media_events with detail=summary to discover what’s happening. Note cluster_id values and entity names for drill-down.
2

Zoom

Drill into specific stories with get_media_event_cluster, or into specific entities with get_entity. Start at detail=summary and escalate only if needed.
3

Enrich

Add context with get_conflict_events, get_cameoplus_events, get_domain, or web search. Use web search to read full article text from URLs found in GDELT results.

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Country Code Formats

Different tools require different country code formats. Using the wrong format returns 0 results.
ToolParameterFormatExamples
get_media_eventsactor_countryISO-3USA, CHN, GBR
get_media_eventslocationFIPS 2-letterUS, CH, UK
get_conflict_eventscountryFull English nameUkraine, Iran
get_cameoplus_eventscountryISO-3UKR, IRN
Common mismatches: CH = China (FIPS), not Switzerland (SZ). South Korea FIPS is KS, not KR.

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Output Principles

  • Adapt to the request. A quick question gets a direct answer. A deep question gets a structured report.
  • Lead with the bottom line. State the conclusion first, then support it.
  • Interpret every data point. Always answer “so what?” after presenting a finding.
  • Cite inline. Use story_url and entity_url from API responses to link directly to GDELT Cloud pages.

Workflow Guide

Detailed REST API workflow guide for general GDELT Cloud tasks

Skills Overview

All available skills and when to use each one