---
name: axiom-apl
description: APL query language reference for Axiom. Provides operators, functions, patterns, and CLI usage. Auto-invoked by specialized Axiom skills when writing or…
---

# axiom-apl

APL query language reference for Axiom. Provides operators, functions, patterns, and CLI usage. Auto-invoked by specialized Axiom skills when writing or…

# axiom-aplby axiomhq
APL query language reference for Axiom. Provides operators, functions, patterns, and CLI usage. Auto-invoked by specialized Axiom skills when writing or…

`npx skills add https://github.com/axiomhq/cli --skill axiom-apl`Download ZIPGitHub

## Axiom Processing Language (APL)

APL is Axiom's query language for analyzing observability data. This skill provides comprehensive guidance for writing, debugging, and optimizing APL queries.

## Quick Reference

Documentation: https://axiom.co/docs/apl/introduction

CLI usage: See references/cli.md

## Core Workflow

### 1. List Available Datasets

```
`axiom dataset list -f json
`
```

### 2. Discover Schema (CRITICAL - Always Do First)

```
`['<dataset>'] | getschema
`
```

Never guess field names. The schema shows all fields with their types.

### 3. Sample Data

```
`['<dataset>'] | limit 10
`
```

### 4. Write Query

See references for operators, functions, and patterns.

## APL Syntax Essentials

### Dataset Reference

```
`['dataset-name'] // Bracket notation (required for names with dots/dashes)
dataset_name // Plain identifier (only for simple names)
`
```

### Field Reference

```
`field_name // Plain field
['field.with.dots'] // Bracket notation for dotted fields
['service.name'] // OTel data (see references/otel.md for field mappings)
`
```

### Basic Query Structure

```
`['dataset']
| where <condition>
| extend <new_field> = <expression>
| summarize <aggregation> by <grouping>
| project <fields>
| sort by <field> desc
| limit 100
`
```

## Time Handling

Always filter by time first - it's the most selective filter.

```
`// Relative time
| where _time >= ago(1h)
| where _time >= ago(24h) and _time < ago(1h)

// Absolute time
| where _time >= datetime(2024-01-15T10:00:00Z)
| where _time between (datetime(2024-01-15) .. datetime(2024-01-16))
`
```

Time functions:

* `ago(timespan)` - Relative past time

* `now()` - Current time

* `datetime(string)` - Parse datetime

* `bin(_time, 5m)` - Time bucketing

* `bin_auto(_time)` - Automatic bucketing

## When NOT to Use

* Simple field lookup: Use `getschema` directly instead of invoking the full skill

* Known query patterns: If you already have a working query, don't re-invoke for syntax help

* Real-time alerting: Use Axiom Monitors for continuous alerting, not ad-hoc queries

## References

* CLI Usage - Command flags and execution

* Operators - Tabular and scalar operators

* Functions - String, datetime, aggregation functions

* Patterns - Query patterns by use case

* Common Gotchas - Mistakes and fixes

* OpenTelemetry - OTel field mappings and trace patterns

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**Source**: https://github.com/axiomhq/cli/tree/HEAD/skills/axiom-apl
**Author**: axiomhq
**Discovered via**: mcpservers.org