# Datasets

The Spice.ai platform comes pre-loaded with a variety of community [datasets](broken://pages/JnKPswDs1OXhUD2OxR0K).

In addition, you can define and create your own custom and private Datasets and Views, which can then be queried with SQL, cached in Spice Firecache, and published publicly to be shared with others.

### Defining a Dataset

To define a dataset, first ensure your Spice app is connected to a [GitHub repository](/docs/portal/apps/connect-github.md), then add a [dataset manifest](broken://pages/456bbSbfRgMbQ9vqIRzq) file to the GitHub repository in the `.spice/datasets` path.

For example:

```yaml
# .spice/datasets/recent_blocks.yml
name: taxi_trips
type: append
firecache:
  enabled: true
  trigger: number
  time_column: timestamp
```

Once the manifest file is committed to the GitHub repository, navigate to the **Datasets** section. The newly defined dataset will appear in the datasets list.

### Deploy the Dataset

Click the dataset **Deploy** button. Because this dataset was Firecache enabled, the firecache status will now turn to **Ready.**

### View Dataset details

Clicking the dataset will show its details along with it's deployments.


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.spice.ai/docs/portal/datasets-and-views.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.