Download data files (or package ZIPs), a prototype dataset's files, or a NEON document into the configured download directory (stdio only; data files need a token). The plan is checked against file/byte caps before any transfer; MD5s are verified; identical existing files are skipped. Next: read the CSVs (pandas.read_csv) and cite with neon_get_citation.

Locations under a site, domain, REALM or named location, filtered by locationType (towers, huts, megapits, soil plots, observation plots, ...) or text, with coordinates and optional proximity. REALM and domain walks need location_type; site walks without it report typesAvailable. Next: call neon_get_location for one location's detail.

Which sites and months have data for a product (one row per site), which products have data at a site (one row per product), or one product-site cell; month ranges per release including PROVISIONAL, optionally windowed and filtered. Works without a token and is small (GraphQL). Next: call neon_list_files for a product, site and month range.

NEON-format citation text and BibTeX for a data product in a release (DOI, default the newest release with a DOI), for provisional data (no DOI; archive what you used), or for a prototype dataset. Wording follows NEON's data policy (CC BY 4.0). Next: include the citation with any results; read neon://guide/citing-neon-data for the rules.

Metadata of a NEON document (ATBD, protocol, user guide) by spec number or documents URL: type, size, file name, description and the products that reference it; optionally its text, extracted in memory and paged by character offset. No token. Next: page through text with char_offset, or call neon_download_files(spec_number=...) on stdio.

One named location in depth: coordinates, UTM, elevation, orientation and offsets, properties, active periods; optionally its parent chain, location history, polygon and paged children (pruned by location_type). Names are case-sensitive. Next: call neon_find_locations to list locations of a type under it.

One data product: codes, name, team, status, themes, keywords, releases with DOIs and an availability summary; opt-in include[] sections add abstract and design text, packages, specs (ATBDs, protocols), change logs (paged), per-site availability rows and biorepository collections. Accepts a code or a name. Next: call neon_get_availability or neon_get_citation for the product.

One prototype dataset: title, abstract, years, version, DOI, themes, teams, sites, and by default its files with sizes, MD5s and signed URLs; optional project/design/metadata descriptions, publication citations and related products. Next: call neon_download_files(prototype_uuid=...) on stdio, or neon_get_citation(prototype_uuid=...).

One release (tag, uuid or 'latest'): its data products with DOIs (paged, filterable), optionally its sites and manifest artifacts, or one product/site exactly as published in that release. Unknown tags fail with the list of valid releases. Next: call neon_get_citation for a product in the release.

A physical sample's custody chain (NEON API token required): identifiers, events with their field values, parents and children; degree=N adds relatives N steps away. Identify it by tag (+class), UUID, barcode or archive GUID; an ambiguous tag asks which class (MRTR) or lists candidates. Next: follow parent or child identifiers with another neon_get_sample call.

One field site: name, type, state, domain, coordinates, DEIMS id, and (by default) every data product available there with month ranges and provisional counts; optional releases, full description and location record (elevation, UTM, properties). Next: call neon_get_availability or neon_list_files for a product at this site.

Read-only GraphQL against NEON's public metadata endpoint for shapes the other tools do not cover. Guard rails: queries only, allow-listed root fields, depth <= 8, one __type/__schema, results pruned to max_bytes with truncatedPaths. No token is sent. Prefer the dedicated tools for products, sites and availability. Next: read neon://reference/graphql-schema for types.

Data files for a product at sites over months (NEON API token required): names, kinds, tables, HOR/VER/TMI, sizes, MD5s and signed URLs (~7 days), plus package ZIP links for a single site-month. detail='summary' or 'site_months' sizes a pull without listing files. Next: call neon_download_files with the same selectors (stdio), or use the URLs.

All NEON data releases (RELEASE-2021 ... RELEASE-2026 today), newest first, with generation dates, product counts and manifest artifacts. Releases are immutable and carry per-product DOIs; newer data are PROVISIONAL. Next: call neon_get_release for one release's products and DOIs.

NEON's supported sample classes (e.g. bet_IDandpinning_in.individualID) with descriptions, filterable by text, or the classes one sample tag belongs to. No token. Next: call neon_get_sample with a tag and class, a sample UUID, a barcode or an archive GUID.

Liveness and capability report: server version and protocol, whether a NEON API token is available (it unlocks data files and sample views), whether downloads are enabled, catalog warmth, cache and rate-limit headroom. With check_api=true it makes one ~1 KB NEON request. Never reveals the token. Next: call neon_search_products to find a data product.

Find NEON data products by keywords, theme, science team, level, status, site, domain or date coverage; ranked results with facets and each product's site count and month range. Served from a cached catalog (no token). A bare code such as DP1.10003.001 matches exactly. Next: call neon_get_availability with a productCode, or neon_get_product for detail.

Search NEON's prototype datasets (early or experimental data outside the standard products) by text, theme, science team, site, years, file type or publication flag, with facets. Each has its own DOI and version. No token. Next: call neon_get_prototype_dataset with a uuid for files.

Find NEON's 81 field sites by code, name, state, domain, site type, product availability or proximity (latitude/longitude + radius_km, nearest first); optional elevation and UTM. Cached catalog, no token. Next: call neon_get_site or neon_get_availability(site=...) for a siteCode.

NEON's taxonomy lists, paged: every taxon of a type (BIRD, PLANT, SMALL_MAMMAL, ...) or taxa by rank (kingdom ... genus) or exact scientific name with a genus fallback. Rows keep NEON's Darwin Core keys (dwc:scientificName, dwc:vernacularName, ...). No token. Next: follow page.nextOffset, or call neon_search_products for data about the taxa.