---
name: Firebase Data Connect
slug: firebase-data-connect
category: AI Engineering
description: Firebase Data Connect helps set up and use Firebase Data Connect in Flutter apps. It covers schemas, GraphQL queries and mutations, generated SDK calls, offline handling, and security rules.
github: "https://github.com/evanca/flutter-ai-rules/tree/main/skills/firebase-data-connect"
language: Shell
stars: 616
forks: 60
install: "npx degit https://github.com/evanca/flutter-ai-rules/tree/main/skills/firebase-data-connect ~/.claude/skills/firebase-data-connect"
installs_to: ~/.claude/skills/firebase-data-connect
source_path: skills/firebase-data-connect/SKILL.md
collection_size: 25
category_size: 2451
collection_url: "https://dirskills.com/collections/evanca/flutter-ai-rules"
added: 2026-08-24T05:18:41.930Z
last_synced: 2026-08-24T05:18:41.930Z
canonical_url: "https://dirskills.com/skills/firebase-data-connect"
---

# Firebase Data Connect

Firebase Data Connect helps set up and use Firebase Data Connect in Flutter apps. It covers schemas, GraphQL queries and mutations, generated SDK calls, offline handling, and security rules.

**Install:**

```bash
npx degit https://github.com/evanca/flutter-ai-rules/tree/main/skills/firebase-data-connect ~/.claude/skills/firebase-data-connect
```

## README

# Firebase Data Connect Skill

This skill defines how to correctly use Firebase Data Connect in Flutter applications.

## When to Use

Use this skill when:

* Setting up and configuring Firebase Data Connect in a Flutter project.
* Designing schemas, queries, and mutations for Data Connect.
* Implementing generated SDK calls for typed queries and mutations.
* Handling network failures, data inconsistencies, and offline scenarios.
* Applying security and performance best practices.

---

## 1. Setup and Configuration

### Step 1: Install the package

```
flutter pub add firebase_data_connect
```

### Step 2: Import and initialize

```dart
import 'package:firebase_data_connect/firebase_data_connect.dart';
import 'package:firebase_core/firebase_core.dart';
import 'firebase_options.dart';

await Firebase.initializeApp(
  options: DefaultFirebaseOptions.currentPlatform,
);
```

### Step 3: Define a schema in `dataconnect/schema/schema.gql`

```graphql
type Movie @table {
  id: UUID! @default(expr: "uuidV4()")
  title: String!
  releaseYear: Int
  genre: String
  rating: Float
  description: String
}
```

### Step 4: Define queries and mutations in `dataconnect/connector/queries.gql`

```graphql
query ListMovies @auth(level: PUBLIC) {
  movies {
    id
    title
    releaseYear
    genre
    rating
  }
}

mutation CreateMovie($title: String!, $releaseYear: Int, $genre: String) @auth(level: USER) {
  movie_insert(data: {
    title: $title
    releaseYear: $releaseYear
    genre: $genre
  })
}

mutation DeleteMovie($id: UUID!) @auth(level: USER) {
  movie_delete(id: $id)
}
```

### Step 5: Generate the typed Flutter SDK

```
flutterfire generate
```

This produces typed Dart classes for each query and mutation.

**Platform support:**

| Platform | Support |
|---|---|
| iOS | Full |
| Android | Full |
| Web | Full |
| Other platforms | Not supported |

---

## 2. Executing Queries and Mutations

Use the generated SDK to execute typed queries and mutations:

```dart
// Execute a query
final result = await ListMoviesQuery().execute();
final movies = result.data.movies;

// Execute a mutation
await CreateMovieMutation(title: 'Inception', releaseYear: 2010, genre: 'Sci-Fi')
    .execute();

// Delete by ID
await DeleteMovieMutation(id: movieId).execute();
```

### Real-Time Listeners

Subscribe to query changes for live updates:

```dart
final subscription = ListMoviesQuery().subscribe();
subscription.listen((result) {
  final movies = result.data.movies;
  // Update UI with latest movie list
});
```

---

## 3. Performance and Caching

- Design efficient queries requesting only the fields needed to minimize data transfer.
- Implement **pagination** for large datasets:
  ```graphql
  query ListMoviesPaginated($limit: Int!, $offset: Int!) @auth(level: PUBLIC) {
    movies(limit: $limit, offset: $offset) {
      id
      title
      releaseYear
    }
  }
  ```
- Use real-time listeners judiciously to avoid unnecessary network usage.
- Consider **offline capabilities** for critical app functionality by caching query results locally.

---

## 4. Error Handling

Wrap Data Connect calls in try/catch to handle network and validation errors:

```dart
try {
  final result = await ListMoviesQuery().execute();
  return result.data.movies;
} on FirebaseException catch (e) {
  if (e.code == 'unavailable') {
    // Handle offline — return cached data
    return _localCache.getMovies();
  }
  rethrow;
}
```

- Implement **retry logic** with exponential backoff for transient connection errors.
- Provide meaningful error messages for data validation failures.
- Monitor error rates and investigate recurring issues.

---

## 5. Security

- Use `@auth` directives in schema to control access levels (`PUBLIC`, `USER`, `NO_ACCESS`).
- Integrate **Firebase Authentication** for user-based access control.
- Validate data on both client and server sides.
- Follow data privacy best practices when handling user information.

---

## References

- [Firebase Data Connect documentation](https://firebase.google.com/docs/data-connect)
- [Data Connect Flutter SDK reference](https://firebase.google.com/docs/data-connect/flutter-sdk)