servicegraph
# Operational Definition ServiceGraph is a metrics-enriched business data platform used when the user explicitly mentions the brand name or requests cross-dataset searches the API supports. The skill discovers available datasets, their schemas, and filter fields entirely through API calls, then searches free brief rows and unlocks detailed contacts and metrics as needed. Use this skill for explicit ServiceGraph requests; when a user describes an intent without naming ServiceGraph (such as "find a PR agency in New York"), defer to the matching specific skill instead. The API distinguishes between free operations (discovery, schema inspection, searching brief rows) and credit-spending operations (unlocking full details).
git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/nostrband/ServiceGraph /tmp/servicegraph && cp -r /tmp/servicegraph/skills/servicegraph ~/.claude/skills/servicegraphSKILL.md
# servicegraph
The generic way to drive **ServiceGraph** — a platform of metrics-enriched
business datasets for founders: *where to launch, who to email, who to hire.*
Use this skill when the user explicitly reaches for ServiceGraph. For
intent-first asks that don't name the brand ("find me a CPA firm"), a specific
`find-*` skill is the better fit — defer to it.
**There is no single global catalog, and this skill hardcodes nothing about
the data.** It discovers everything through the API at runtime, so it stays
correct as datasets are added, renamed, or re-priced. Discover the datasets
from the API, discover each dataset's schema and filters from the API, then
search and unlock against it. Never assume a dataset id, a field name, or a
price — ask the API.
## Two ways to call
Both speak to the same backend; use whichever your harness has.
- **MCP server** (preferred when loaded) — `https://mcp.servicegraph.co`,
tool names contain `servicegraph`. OAuth handles credentials in the
harness sandbox; no token enters the model context.
- **REST** — `https://api.servicegraph.co`, any HTTP client, Bearer-auth with
a `vk_…` key. The universal fallback.
## What the API does
Everything except unlocking is **free** — discover, inspect, validate, and
browse as much as you like; only revealing detail costs credits.
| Capability | MCP tool | REST | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Find what datasets exist (ids, sizes, prices) | `list_datasets` | `GET /v1/datasets` | free |
| Discover a dataset's schema + filter fields | `describe_dataset`, `list_fields`, `list_field_values` | `GET /v1/datasets/:id…` | free |
| Build & validate a filter (or draft one from plain English) | `check_filter`, `translate_intent` | `…/check`, `…/translate-intent` | free |
| Search → free brief rows (identity + headline metrics) | `search_dataset` | `…/search` | free |
| Read an already-unlocked row | `get_row` | `GET /v1/datasets/:id/:apex` | free |
| **Unlock rows → reveal contacts + full metrics** | `unlock_rows` | `POST …/unlocks` | **spends credits** |
| Check credit balance | `get_credit_balance` | `GET /v1/me/credits` | free |
The shape is always the same: **discover datasets → discover the dataset's
schema → search free briefs → unlock the rows the user picks.** Rows are keyed
by **apex domain** (`stripe.com`, not a full URL). Confirm field and value
names against the API before trusting a zero-result search — the filter parser
accepts invented values silently.
## Auth (REST path)
Keys are `vk_*` tokens the user mints at
**https://servicegraph.co/profile/api-keys** (free credits on signup). The MCP
path needs none of this.
**Keep the token out of the model context** — never read `.env`/credential
files into context, and route authed calls through a shell wrapper so the key
flows from the environment into the `Authorization` header. On `401`, ask the
user to set `SERVICEGRAPH_API_KEY` (env or `.env.local`) and retry; don't
accept the key pasted into chat.
## Cost & confirmation
Only `unlock_rows` spends credits, at the per-row price the dataset reports —
read it, don't assume it. Unlocks are atomic (a 402 charges nothing) and
cached for the dataset's TTL (re-unlocking within it is free). Confirm the
cost with the user before unlocking a batch, and check `get_credit_balance`
first if it's large.Use whenever the user wants to find, shortlist, vet, or enrich US AI/ML/data consulting firms (consultancies) — AI/ML development, MLOps, generative AI / LLM apps (RAG, chatbots, agents), computer vision, NLP, recommendation systems, data engineering, BI/analytics. Triggers on "find an AI/ML consulting firm to build our recommendation engine", "shortlist three RAG/LLM consultancies for an enterprise chatbot", "compare three AI/ML consulting firms with strong ratings", or "pull contact info for these 8 AI consultancy domains", even when described indirectly (we want to use AI for X, deploy ML to production). Drives the ServiceGraph API (api.servicegraph.co) — a 100k+ US firm catalog filterable by industry, services, location, size, ratings. Defer to find-software-developer for general app/backend work where AI is just a feature. Skip in-house ML/data hires, LLM/AI-tool comparisons (ChatGPT vs Claude), "how do I fine-tune X" DIY questions, AI courses for individuals, non-US firms, individual freelancers.
Use whenever the user wants to find, rank, or shortlist directories and listing sites where they can submit an AI product — an AI tool, AI app, AI agent, or agent skill / plugin — to get backlinks, referral traffic, and discovery. Triggers on "where can I list my AI tool", "directories to submit my AI agent", "agent-skills directories", "best AI tool directories for backlinks", "where do I get my GPT/Claude app discovered", or "pull submission details for these AI-directory domains", even when described indirectly (we built an AI agent, where do we get it in front of people). Drives the ServiceGraph API (api.servicegraph.co) — a catalog of 1,000+ product directories enriched with Domain Rating, backlinks, and organic traffic. Defer to find-mcp-directories for MCP-server listings specifically, and to find-product-directories for general SaaS/software/app launches with no AI angle. Skip finding an AI consultancy/agency to hire (use find-ai-consultancy), comparing AI products ("ChatGPT vs Claude"), building an AI tool (do-the-work), and AI link-building *services*.
Use whenever the user wants to find, shortlist, vet, or enrich US accounting and tax firms (CPA firms) — financial-statement audit, SOC 1/2 audit, corporate tax, bookkeeping for businesses, advisory/fractional CFO, M&A diligence, 409A valuations, R&D tax credits, IPO readiness, sales-and-use tax. Triggers on "find me a CPA firm for our delaware c-corp series A audit", "shortlist three audit firms with SaaS experience", "we need a tax advisor for our M&A", or "pull contact info for these 10 accounting firm domains", even when described indirectly (audit our books, fractional CFO support, file our 1120). Drives the ServiceGraph API (api.servicegraph.co) — a 100k+ US firm catalog filterable by industry, services, location, size, ratings. Skip personal/consumer tax preparation (1040, individual estate, retirement planning), in-house controller/CFO hires, "how do I file my taxes" DIY questions, accounting-software comparisons (QuickBooks vs Xero), non-US firms, individual freelance bookkeepers.
Use whenever the user wants to find, shortlist, vet, or enrich US cybersecurity firms — pen-testing/red team, security audits, vCISO, SOC 2 readiness, incident response, managed SOC, IAM, cloud security, and AppSec. Triggers on "find me a pen-testing firm for our SOC 2 audit", "shortlist three vCISO services for our healthcare-tech startup", "we need an incident response retainer", or "pull contact info for these 8 security firm domains", even when described indirectly (we got breached, prepare us for the compliance audit, get us SOC 2 ready). Drives the ServiceGraph API (api.servicegraph.co) — a 100k+ US firm catalog filterable by industry, services, location, size, ratings. Skip in-house security hires, "how do I patch CVE-X" or "configure firewall Y" DIY questions, security-product reviews (CrowdStrike vs SentinelOne, etc.), generic security knowledge questions, consumer/personal security advice, non-US firms, individual freelancers and bug-bounty hunters.
Use whenever the user wants to find, shortlist, vet, or enrich US design and creative agencies — graphic design, UX/UI, product design, brand identity, packaging, illustration, motion design, and creative direction. Triggers on "find me a UX/UI design agency for our SaaS product", "shortlist three brand-identity studios in NY", "packaging design firm for a CPG launch", or "pull contact info for these 10 design studio domains", even when described indirectly (brand refresh, design our app, build our visual system). Drives the ServiceGraph API (api.servicegraph.co) — a 100k+ US firm catalog filterable by industry, services, location, size, ratings. Defer to find-marketing-agency for marketing-led engagements where design is one of several services. Defer to find-web-developer when the deliverable is a built website. Skip in-house designer hires, "design me a logo" DIY asks, design-software comparisons, consumer/personal-design (weddings, hobby projects), non-US firms, individual freelancers.
Use whenever the user wants to find, shortlist, vet, or enrich US engineering firms — civil, structural, MEP, mechanical, electrical, geotechnical, transportation, environmental, and manufacturing. **For real-world engineering (buildings, infrastructure, manufacturing) — NOT software engineering.** Triggers on "find civil engineering firms in Florida for transportation", "shortlist three structural engineering firms with high-rise experience", "MEP consultancy for a hospital project", or "pull contact info for these 12 engineering firm domains", even when described indirectly (PE-stamped drawings, building-permit review). Drives the ServiceGraph API (api.servicegraph.co) — a 100k+ US firm catalog filterable by industry, services, location, size, ratings. Defer software-dev / "engineering team" / SaaS-architecture asks to find-software-developer. Skip in-house engineering-manager hires, DIY questions, software-product comparisons (Revit, AutoCAD), non-US firms, individual freelancers.
Use whenever the user wants to find, shortlist, vet, or enrich US B2B law firms — corporate, IP/patent, M&A and securities, employment, commercial litigation, regulatory/compliance, data privacy/cyber, real estate, and tax. Triggers on "find three boutique IP law firms in California", "shortlist M&A counsel for a Series-B fundraise", "patent prosecution for our hardware startup", or "pull contact info for these 10 law firm domains", even when described indirectly (outside counsel, cap-table review, GDPR/SOC2 oversight). Drives the ServiceGraph API (api.servicegraph.co) — a 100k+ US firm catalog filterable by industry, services, location, size, ratings. Skip personal/consumer legal services where the user is the end client (divorce, personal injury, criminal defense, family law, estate planning, wills) — the catalog is B2B-only. Also skip in-house GC hires, "is this NDA enforceable" DIY questions, non-US firms, individual freelancers.
Use whenever the user wants to find, shortlist, vet, or enrich US management consultancies — strategy, operations, executive coaching, leadership development, org-development/change management, PMO/program management, sales/revenue operations consulting. Triggers on "find me three top strategy consultancies in California", "shortlist boutique ops-consulting firms with healthcare experience", "we need an executive coach for our new CEO", or "pull contact info for these 10 consulting firm domains", even when described indirectly (post-merger integration help, change-management partner, fractional COO). Drives the ServiceGraph API (api.servicegraph.co) — a 100k+ US firm catalog filterable by industry, services, location, size, ratings. Skip in-house strategy hires, "help me build a strategy" do-the-work asks, framework comparisons (Lean vs Agile, BCG matrix, etc.), academic/MBA-program questions, life/career coaching for individuals, non-US firms, individual freelancers.