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BigQuery SQL Migration Translator

Translates legacy database SQL, schemas and stored procedures into BigQuery GoogleSQL via BQMS

Source Download skill
Repository
google/skills
Stars
21,782
Licence
Apache-2.0
Files
15 files

What it does

When installed, the agent knows how to move SQL written for other database systems (Teradata, Oracle, Redshift, Snowflake, SparkSQL, HiveQL) into BigQuery's GoogleSQL dialect. It sends queries, schemas or metadata archives to Google's BigQuery Migration Service through an MCP server, checks the returned SQL and error logs, and can run batch translations of many files staged in Cloud Storage. It also includes a Python template script for extracting and re-inserting embedded SQL in application code, plus example YAML translation configs.

Great for

  • Data engineers moving a warehouse from Teradata, Oracle, Redshift or Snowflake to BigQuery
  • Developers who have SQL embedded in Python applications and need it converted
  • Teams who need to triage translation errors and track progress across batch migrations

Skip it if

  • Simply running queries or managing tables in BigQuery, which the skill says belongs to a different skill (bigquery-basics)
  • Diagnosing failed BigQuery jobs or tuning slot reservations; the skill points to other skills for these
  • Users who cannot use a Google Cloud project with billing enabled, since the translation service and Cloud Storage incur costs

Try asking

  • “Translate this Teradata query to BigQuery GoogleSQL and explain each change”
  • “Batch-translate all the Oracle DDL files in this Cloud Storage folder”
  • “Convert the embedded SQL in my Python project to BigQuery syntax using the migration template”
  • “Create a YAML config that renames objects and redirects schemas during translation”
Step-by-step guide: how to use BigQuery SQL Migration TranslatorInstall, first run, examples, tips and FAQs

Install in 3 steps

  1. 1

    Download the skill

    The ZIP contains the 15 original files, the Apache-2.0 licence and an attribution note.

    bigquery-migration-sql-translator.zip
  2. 2

    Add it to your agent

    Claude Code (all projects)

    mkdir -p ~/.claude/skills && unzip bigquery-migration-sql-translator.zip -d ~/.claude/skills/

    Claude Code / Agent SDK (this project only)

    mkdir -p .claude/skills && unzip bigquery-migration-sql-translator.zip -d .claude/skills/

    Claude apps (web/desktop): Settings → Capabilities → Skills → Upload skill, and choose the ZIP.

  3. 3

    Ask for the task

    No special command needed — the agent reads the skill's description and loads it when your request matches. Try one of the prompts above.

Get better results

  • Give the agent the source dialect and, if available, a metadata zip so schema references resolve correctly
  • For more than one file, use batch translation rather than translating files one by one; it also handles cross-file dependencies
  • Review the translated SQL and logs yourself, since the skill notes some unsupported types fail silently and some functions are copied unchanged

What's inside

  • assets/python_embedded_sql_migrator_template.py
  • assets/translation_config_examples/environment_example.yaml
  • assets/translation_config_examples/experimental_input_formats_example.yaml
  • assets/translation_config_examples/experimental_metadata_example.yaml
  • assets/translation_config_examples/experimental_object_rewriter_example.yaml
  • assets/translation_config_examples/experimental_optimizer_example.yaml
  • assets/translation_config_examples/experimental_statement_rewriter_example.yaml
  • assets/translation_config_examples/input_formats_example.yaml
  • assets/translation_config_examples/metadata_example.yaml
  • assets/translation_config_examples/object_rewriter_example.yaml
  • assets/translation_config_examples/optimizer_example.yaml
  • assets/translation_config_examples/statement_rewriter_example.yaml
  • assets/translation_config_schemas/environment.json
  • assets/translation_config_schemas/experimental_input_formats.json
  • SKILL.md

Redistributed unmodified from google/skills under the Apache-2.0 licence. The assessment was drafted with AI from the skill's files on 2026-10-29. Skills can instruct your agent to run code — read SKILL.md and any scripts before installing.