otel-sdk-versions — Claude Code skill: what it does, how to install
Looks up released OpenTelemetry SDKs, Collector components, config schemas, and semantic conventions. Helps pick compatible versions when adding telemetry.
npx skills add ollygarden/opentelemetry-agent-skills --skill otel-sdk-versions -a claude-codeWhat otel-sdk-versions does
This skill guides coding agents through selecting OpenTelemetry library releases. It relies on a bundled index file at references/generated/otel-version-index.md. That table tracks primary SDK packages across programming languages, OpenTelemetry Collector components (core, contrib, distributions, and builder), configuration schemas, semantic conventions, and Weaver.
When working offline, the agent reports versions alongside the recorded update date instead of claiming they represent the current latest state. The workflow prevents guessing companion package versions: exporters, instrumentations, and resource detectors must be confirmed individually against their specific release sources.
This tool is not built for Collector build manifests or upgrade-risk assessment. If a requested component falls outside the bundled index, the agent explicitly states the gap before falling back to official release repositories and setup guides.
What it helps with
- look up compatible OpenTelemetry SDK releases across languages
- find versions for OpenTelemetry Collector core and contrib components
- locate setup guides and code examples for specific instrumentation
- resolve companion packages without guessing their version lines
Example prompts for the agent
- Find the latest compatible OpenTelemetry Python SDK and exporter packages
- What is the release version for OpenTelemetry Collector contrib?
- Show setup docs and examples for the OpenTelemetry Java SDK
How to install otel-sdk-versions
1Skills CLI (Vercel)
npx skills add ollygarden/opentelemetry-agent-skills --skill otel-sdk-versions -a claude-code2Manually: put the files in place
~/.claude/skills/otel-sdk-versions/SKILL.mdCopy the whole skill folder; for one project use .claude/skills/otel-sdk-versions/
1Skills CLI (Vercel)
npx skills add ollygarden/opentelemetry-agent-skills --skill otel-sdk-versions -a codex2Manually: put the files in place
.agents/skills/otel-sdk-versions/SKILL.mdFor all projects use ~/.agents/skills/
1Skills CLI (Vercel)
npx skills add ollygarden/opentelemetry-agent-skills --skill otel-sdk-versions -a cursor2Manually: put the files in place
.cursor/skills/otel-sdk-versions/SKILL.mdCursor also reads .agents/skills/ and .claude/skills/
1GitHub CLI
gh skill install ollygarden/opentelemetry-agent-skills otel-sdk-versions2Manually: put the files in place
.github/skills/otel-sdk-versions/SKILL.md1Skills CLI (Vercel)
npx skills add ollygarden/opentelemetry-agent-skills --skill otel-sdk-versions -a gemini-cli2Platform CLI
gemini skills install https://github.com/ollygarden/opentelemetry-agent-skills --path skills/otel-sdk-versionsManually: put the files in place
.devin/skills/otel-sdk-versions/SKILL.mdThe legacy .windsurf/skills/ path still works
Skills CLI (Vercel)
npx skills add ollygarden/opentelemetry-agent-skills --skill otel-sdk-versions -a opencodeClaude.ai
Zip the folder and upload it in Settings → Capabilities → Skills
Step by step, with commands for each platform: How to install skills in Claude Code: five ways
Questions about otel-sdk-versions
How to install otel-sdk-versions in Claude Code?
Run npx skills add ollygarden/opentelemetry-agent-skills --skill otel-sdk-versions -a claude-code. The skill file will be placed in ~/.claude/skills/otel-sdk-versions/SKILL.md.
What does otel-sdk-versions do?
It guides coding agents to look up compatible OpenTelemetry packages for SDKs, Collector components, semantic conventions, and Weaver using an internal reference table.
What is this skill not designed for?
It is not meant for building Collector distribution manifests or assessing upgrade risks between breaking releases.
Source text
SKILL.md · Apache-2.0
--- name: otel-sdk-versions description: OpenTelemetry release version lookup for SDKs across languages and for the Collector (core, contrib, distributions, builder/OCB), the declarative configuration schema, semantic conventions, and Weaver. Use when choosing the latest compatible released OpenTelemetry SDK, package, or component version, when asked what the latest release of one of these is, and when locating setup docs or examples. Not for Collector build manifests or upgrade-risk assessment. --- # OpenTelemetry SDK Versions ## Workflow 1. Open `references/generated/otel-version-index.md`. - the SDKs table has one primary SDK package per language; the Components table covers the Collector (core, contrib, distributions, builder), the configuration schema, semantic conventions, and Weaver - use the bundled tables as the default source of truth for what they cover - its "Versions last changed" date is the last day any row changed - offline, give each version with that date: "`<version>` as of `<date>`; a newer release may exist". Never call it the current latest 2. Choose the version deliberately. - prefer the latest released version when it is compatible with the project - if the latest release is not compatible, choose the latest compatible version and state the compatibility reason explicitly - reuse that decision for the rest of the task unless the language, package, or constraints change 3. Resolve companion packages from the release source. - if the task requires additional packages from the same ecosystem (exporters, instrumentations, resource detectors, Collector components), look up their versions from the release source — do not infer or reuse the primary package version - sub-packages within the same project often share a version line but not always; confirm each package individually - Collector components in one build must match the core release line its builder uses, which can trail core; see `otel-collector-builder` for manifest pinning 4. Use the linked follow-up sources when needed. - use the Release Source or Release column to confirm the package, repo, or release notes - use the Setup Docs column for SDK setup guidance - use the Examples column for implementation references when examples are available 5. Handle gaps explicitly. - if the requested language, package, or component is not in the bundled index, say that the index does not cover it - then fall back to the official release source and official docs for that package - do not assume an unreleased, prerelease, or incompatible version is acceptable without saying so
© ollygarden · Apache-2.0 · ollygarden/opentelemetry-agent-skills