backend-patterns

Backend architecture patterns, API design, database optimization, and server-side best practices for Node.js, Express, and Next.js API routes.

144,923 stars
Complexity: low

About this skill

This skill equips an AI agent with a robust understanding of backend architecture patterns, API design principles, database optimization techniques, and general server-side best practices, specifically tailored for Node.js, Express, and Next.js API routes. It draws from a highly-regarded repository, 'everything-claude-code', known for providing production-grade development patterns. The skill covers crucial aspects like structuring RESTful and GraphQL APIs, implementing service layers, handling errors, authentication, caching strategies, and managing background jobs, enabling the AI to generate, evaluate, or suggest improvements for high-quality, scalable, and maintainable backend code.

Best use case

Generating boilerplate code for API endpoints, refactoring existing backend code for performance, designing robust data access layers, advising on database indexing strategies, implementing authentication or logging middleware, or planning asynchronous processing for Node.js applications.

Backend architecture patterns, API design, database optimization, and server-side best practices for Node.js, Express, and Next.js API routes.

Well-structured, performant, and maintainable backend code examples; architectural recommendations following industry best practices; optimized database query suggestions; or comprehensive advice on API design, error handling, authentication, and scalability specific to Node.js, Express, and Next.js environments.

Practical example

Example input

Design a robust RESTful API for managing e-commerce products, including CRUD operations, search functionality, authentication for admin users, and basic caching. Use Node.js and Express, incorporating best practices for error handling and database interaction.

Example output

Based on 'backend-patterns', here's a skeletal structure and key considerations for your e-commerce product API, emphasizing RESTful design, a layered architecture, middleware, and error handling:

```typescript
// routes/productRoutes.ts
import express from 'express';
import * as productController from '../controllers/productController';
import { protectRoute, authorizeRoles } from '../middleware/authMiddleware';
import { validateProduct } from '../middleware/validationMiddleware';

const router = express.Router();

router.route('/products')
  .get(productController.getAllProducts) // Public access or basic search
  .post(protectRoute, authorizeRoles('admin'), validateProduct, productController.createProduct); // Admin only

router.route('/products/:id')
  .get(productController.getProductById)
  .put(protectRoute, authorizeRoles('admin'), validateProduct, productController.updateProduct)
  .delete(protectRoute, authorizeRoles('admin'), productController.deleteProduct);

router.get('/products/search', productController.searchProducts); // Example search endpoint

export default router;

// services/productService.ts (example: handles business logic and DB interaction)
// ... (contains functions like createProduct, getProduct, etc. using a repository pattern)

// utils/cache.ts (example: Redis client setup)
// ... (functions for `setCache`, `getCache`, potentially with TTL)

// Database Optimization:
// - Ensure indexes are present on frequently queried fields (e.g., productId, productName).
// - Implement connection pooling for your database client.
// - Consider N+1 query optimization using `populate` in Mongoose or `with` in Knex.js.

// Caching Strategy:
// - Cache product lists or individual product details that are frequently accessed but change infrequently (e.g., using Redis for `getAllProducts` or `getProductById`).
// - Invalidate cache upon product updates/deletions.

// Error Handling:
// - Centralized error handling middleware to catch async errors and format responses (e.g., Joi for validation errors).
// - Custom error classes for specific scenarios (e.g., `NotFoundError`, `UnauthorizedError`).
```

When to use this skill

  • When the AI agent needs to design new API endpoints (REST or GraphQL), optimize database queries (e.g., addressing N+1 issues, suggesting indexing), implement caching mechanisms (Redis, in-memory, HTTP), structure error handling and validation for APIs, build custom middleware (for auth, logging, rate limiting), or set up background jobs or asynchronous processing within a Node.js, Express, or Next.js API context.

When not to use this skill

  • This skill is not suitable for frontend-only tasks, projects involving unrelated programming languages or frameworks (e.g., Python/Django, Ruby/Rails, Java Spring Boot), purely infrastructure-as-code deployments that don't involve application backend logic, or advanced machine learning model training without direct backend system integration.

Installation

Claude Code / Cursor / Codex

$curl -o ~/.claude/skills/backend-patterns/SKILL.md --create-dirs "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/affaan-m/everything-claude-code/main/.agents/skills/backend-patterns/SKILL.md"

Manual Installation

  1. Download SKILL.md from GitHub
  2. Place it in .claude/skills/backend-patterns/SKILL.md inside your project
  3. Restart your AI agent — it will auto-discover the skill

How backend-patterns Compares

Feature / Agentbackend-patternsStandard Approach
Platform SupportClaudeLimited / Varies
Context Awareness High Baseline
Installation ComplexitylowN/A

Frequently Asked Questions

What does this skill do?

Backend architecture patterns, API design, database optimization, and server-side best practices for Node.js, Express, and Next.js API routes.

Which AI agents support this skill?

This skill is designed for Claude.

How difficult is it to install?

The installation complexity is rated as low. You can find the installation instructions above.

Where can I find the source code?

You can find the source code on GitHub using the link provided at the top of the page.

Related Guides

SKILL.md Source

# Backend Development Patterns

Backend architecture patterns and best practices for scalable server-side applications.

## When to Activate

- Designing REST or GraphQL API endpoints
- Implementing repository, service, or controller layers
- Optimizing database queries (N+1, indexing, connection pooling)
- Adding caching (Redis, in-memory, HTTP cache headers)
- Setting up background jobs or async processing
- Structuring error handling and validation for APIs
- Building middleware (auth, logging, rate limiting)

## API Design Patterns

### RESTful API Structure

```typescript
// PASS: Resource-based URLs
GET    /api/markets                 # List resources
GET    /api/markets/:id             # Get single resource
POST   /api/markets                 # Create resource
PUT    /api/markets/:id             # Replace resource
PATCH  /api/markets/:id             # Update resource
DELETE /api/markets/:id             # Delete resource

// PASS: Query parameters for filtering, sorting, pagination
GET /api/markets?status=active&sort=volume&limit=20&offset=0
```

### Repository Pattern

```typescript
// Abstract data access logic
interface MarketRepository {
  findAll(filters?: MarketFilters): Promise<Market[]>
  findById(id: string): Promise<Market | null>
  create(data: CreateMarketDto): Promise<Market>
  update(id: string, data: UpdateMarketDto): Promise<Market>
  delete(id: string): Promise<void>
}

class SupabaseMarketRepository implements MarketRepository {
  async findAll(filters?: MarketFilters): Promise<Market[]> {
    let query = supabase.from('markets').select('*')

    if (filters?.status) {
      query = query.eq('status', filters.status)
    }

    if (filters?.limit) {
      query = query.limit(filters.limit)
    }

    const { data, error } = await query

    if (error) throw new Error(error.message)
    return data
  }

  // Other methods...
}
```

### Service Layer Pattern

```typescript
// Business logic separated from data access
class MarketService {
  constructor(private marketRepo: MarketRepository) {}

  async searchMarkets(query: string, limit: number = 10): Promise<Market[]> {
    // Business logic
    const embedding = await generateEmbedding(query)
    const results = await this.vectorSearch(embedding, limit)

    // Fetch full data
    const markets = await this.marketRepo.findByIds(results.map(r => r.id))

    // Sort by similarity
    return markets.sort((a, b) => {
      const scoreA = results.find(r => r.id === a.id)?.score || 0
      const scoreB = results.find(r => r.id === b.id)?.score || 0
      return scoreA - scoreB
    })
  }

  private async vectorSearch(embedding: number[], limit: number) {
    // Vector search implementation
  }
}
```

### Middleware Pattern

```typescript
// Request/response processing pipeline
export function withAuth(handler: NextApiHandler): NextApiHandler {
  return async (req, res) => {
    const token = req.headers.authorization?.replace('Bearer ', '')

    if (!token) {
      return res.status(401).json({ error: 'Unauthorized' })
    }

    try {
      const user = await verifyToken(token)
      req.user = user
      return handler(req, res)
    } catch (error) {
      return res.status(401).json({ error: 'Invalid token' })
    }
  }
}

// Usage
export default withAuth(async (req, res) => {
  // Handler has access to req.user
})
```

## Database Patterns

### Query Optimization

```typescript
// PASS: GOOD: Select only needed columns
const { data } = await supabase
  .from('markets')
  .select('id, name, status, volume')
  .eq('status', 'active')
  .order('volume', { ascending: false })
  .limit(10)

// FAIL: BAD: Select everything
const { data } = await supabase
  .from('markets')
  .select('*')
```

### N+1 Query Prevention

```typescript
// FAIL: BAD: N+1 query problem
const markets = await getMarkets()
for (const market of markets) {
  market.creator = await getUser(market.creator_id)  // N queries
}

// PASS: GOOD: Batch fetch
const markets = await getMarkets()
const creatorIds = markets.map(m => m.creator_id)
const creators = await getUsers(creatorIds)  // 1 query
const creatorMap = new Map(creators.map(c => [c.id, c]))

markets.forEach(market => {
  market.creator = creatorMap.get(market.creator_id)
})
```

### Transaction Pattern

```typescript
async function createMarketWithPosition(
  marketData: CreateMarketDto,
  positionData: CreatePositionDto
) {
  // Use Supabase transaction
  const { data, error } = await supabase.rpc('create_market_with_position', {
    market_data: marketData,
    position_data: positionData
  })

  if (error) throw new Error('Transaction failed')
  return data
}

// SQL function in Supabase
CREATE OR REPLACE FUNCTION create_market_with_position(
  market_data jsonb,
  position_data jsonb
)
RETURNS jsonb
LANGUAGE plpgsql
AS $$
BEGIN
  -- Start transaction automatically
  INSERT INTO markets VALUES (market_data);
  INSERT INTO positions VALUES (position_data);
  RETURN jsonb_build_object('success', true);
EXCEPTION
  WHEN OTHERS THEN
    -- Rollback happens automatically
    RETURN jsonb_build_object('success', false, 'error', SQLERRM);
END;
$$;
```

## Caching Strategies

### Redis Caching Layer

```typescript
class CachedMarketRepository implements MarketRepository {
  constructor(
    private baseRepo: MarketRepository,
    private redis: RedisClient
  ) {}

  async findById(id: string): Promise<Market | null> {
    // Check cache first
    const cached = await this.redis.get(`market:${id}`)

    if (cached) {
      return JSON.parse(cached)
    }

    // Cache miss - fetch from database
    const market = await this.baseRepo.findById(id)

    if (market) {
      // Cache for 5 minutes
      await this.redis.setex(`market:${id}`, 300, JSON.stringify(market))
    }

    return market
  }

  async invalidateCache(id: string): Promise<void> {
    await this.redis.del(`market:${id}`)
  }
}
```

### Cache-Aside Pattern

```typescript
async function getMarketWithCache(id: string): Promise<Market> {
  const cacheKey = `market:${id}`

  // Try cache
  const cached = await redis.get(cacheKey)
  if (cached) return JSON.parse(cached)

  // Cache miss - fetch from DB
  const market = await db.markets.findUnique({ where: { id } })

  if (!market) throw new Error('Market not found')

  // Update cache
  await redis.setex(cacheKey, 300, JSON.stringify(market))

  return market
}
```

## Error Handling Patterns

### Centralized Error Handler

```typescript
class ApiError extends Error {
  constructor(
    public statusCode: number,
    public message: string,
    public isOperational = true
  ) {
    super(message)
    Object.setPrototypeOf(this, ApiError.prototype)
  }
}

export function errorHandler(error: unknown, req: Request): Response {
  if (error instanceof ApiError) {
    return NextResponse.json({
      success: false,
      error: error.message
    }, { status: error.statusCode })
  }

  if (error instanceof z.ZodError) {
    return NextResponse.json({
      success: false,
      error: 'Validation failed',
      details: error.errors
    }, { status: 400 })
  }

  // Log unexpected errors
  console.error('Unexpected error:', error)

  return NextResponse.json({
    success: false,
    error: 'Internal server error'
  }, { status: 500 })
}

// Usage
export async function GET(request: Request) {
  try {
    const data = await fetchData()
    return NextResponse.json({ success: true, data })
  } catch (error) {
    return errorHandler(error, request)
  }
}
```

### Retry with Exponential Backoff

```typescript
async function fetchWithRetry<T>(
  fn: () => Promise<T>,
  maxRetries = 3
): Promise<T> {
  let lastError: Error

  for (let i = 0; i < maxRetries; i++) {
    try {
      return await fn()
    } catch (error) {
      lastError = error as Error

      if (i < maxRetries - 1) {
        // Exponential backoff: 1s, 2s, 4s
        const delay = Math.pow(2, i) * 1000
        await new Promise(resolve => setTimeout(resolve, delay))
      }
    }
  }

  throw lastError!
}

// Usage
const data = await fetchWithRetry(() => fetchFromAPI())
```

## Authentication & Authorization

### JWT Token Validation

```typescript
import jwt from 'jsonwebtoken'

interface JWTPayload {
  userId: string
  email: string
  role: 'admin' | 'user'
}

export function verifyToken(token: string): JWTPayload {
  try {
    const payload = jwt.verify(token, process.env.JWT_SECRET!) as JWTPayload
    return payload
  } catch (error) {
    throw new ApiError(401, 'Invalid token')
  }
}

export async function requireAuth(request: Request) {
  const token = request.headers.get('authorization')?.replace('Bearer ', '')

  if (!token) {
    throw new ApiError(401, 'Missing authorization token')
  }

  return verifyToken(token)
}

// Usage in API route
export async function GET(request: Request) {
  const user = await requireAuth(request)

  const data = await getDataForUser(user.userId)

  return NextResponse.json({ success: true, data })
}
```

### Role-Based Access Control

```typescript
type Permission = 'read' | 'write' | 'delete' | 'admin'

interface User {
  id: string
  role: 'admin' | 'moderator' | 'user'
}

const rolePermissions: Record<User['role'], Permission[]> = {
  admin: ['read', 'write', 'delete', 'admin'],
  moderator: ['read', 'write', 'delete'],
  user: ['read', 'write']
}

export function hasPermission(user: User, permission: Permission): boolean {
  return rolePermissions[user.role].includes(permission)
}

export function requirePermission(permission: Permission) {
  return (handler: (request: Request, user: User) => Promise<Response>) => {
    return async (request: Request) => {
      const user = await requireAuth(request)

      if (!hasPermission(user, permission)) {
        throw new ApiError(403, 'Insufficient permissions')
      }

      return handler(request, user)
    }
  }
}

// Usage - HOF wraps the handler
export const DELETE = requirePermission('delete')(
  async (request: Request, user: User) => {
    // Handler receives authenticated user with verified permission
    return new Response('Deleted', { status: 200 })
  }
)
```

## Rate Limiting

### Simple In-Memory Rate Limiter

```typescript
class RateLimiter {
  private requests = new Map<string, number[]>()

  async checkLimit(
    identifier: string,
    maxRequests: number,
    windowMs: number
  ): Promise<boolean> {
    const now = Date.now()
    const requests = this.requests.get(identifier) || []

    // Remove old requests outside window
    const recentRequests = requests.filter(time => now - time < windowMs)

    if (recentRequests.length >= maxRequests) {
      return false  // Rate limit exceeded
    }

    // Add current request
    recentRequests.push(now)
    this.requests.set(identifier, recentRequests)

    return true
  }
}

const limiter = new RateLimiter()

export async function GET(request: Request) {
  const ip = request.headers.get('x-forwarded-for') || 'unknown'

  const allowed = await limiter.checkLimit(ip, 100, 60000)  // 100 req/min

  if (!allowed) {
    return NextResponse.json({
      error: 'Rate limit exceeded'
    }, { status: 429 })
  }

  // Continue with request
}
```

## Background Jobs & Queues

### Simple Queue Pattern

```typescript
class JobQueue<T> {
  private queue: T[] = []
  private processing = false

  async add(job: T): Promise<void> {
    this.queue.push(job)

    if (!this.processing) {
      this.process()
    }
  }

  private async process(): Promise<void> {
    this.processing = true

    while (this.queue.length > 0) {
      const job = this.queue.shift()!

      try {
        await this.execute(job)
      } catch (error) {
        console.error('Job failed:', error)
      }
    }

    this.processing = false
  }

  private async execute(job: T): Promise<void> {
    // Job execution logic
  }
}

// Usage for indexing markets
interface IndexJob {
  marketId: string
}

const indexQueue = new JobQueue<IndexJob>()

export async function POST(request: Request) {
  const { marketId } = await request.json()

  // Add to queue instead of blocking
  await indexQueue.add({ marketId })

  return NextResponse.json({ success: true, message: 'Job queued' })
}
```

## Logging & Monitoring

### Structured Logging

```typescript
interface LogContext {
  userId?: string
  requestId?: string
  method?: string
  path?: string
  [key: string]: unknown
}

class Logger {
  log(level: 'info' | 'warn' | 'error', message: string, context?: LogContext) {
    const entry = {
      timestamp: new Date().toISOString(),
      level,
      message,
      ...context
    }

    console.log(JSON.stringify(entry))
  }

  info(message: string, context?: LogContext) {
    this.log('info', message, context)
  }

  warn(message: string, context?: LogContext) {
    this.log('warn', message, context)
  }

  error(message: string, error: Error, context?: LogContext) {
    this.log('error', message, {
      ...context,
      error: error.message,
      stack: error.stack
    })
  }
}

const logger = new Logger()

// Usage
export async function GET(request: Request) {
  const requestId = crypto.randomUUID()

  logger.info('Fetching markets', {
    requestId,
    method: 'GET',
    path: '/api/markets'
  })

  try {
    const markets = await fetchMarkets()
    return NextResponse.json({ success: true, data: markets })
  } catch (error) {
    logger.error('Failed to fetch markets', error as Error, { requestId })
    return NextResponse.json({ error: 'Internal error' }, { status: 500 })
  }
}
```

**Remember**: Backend patterns enable scalable, maintainable server-side applications. Choose patterns that fit your complexity level.

Related Skills

swiftui-patterns

144923
from affaan-m/everything-claude-code

SwiftUI 架构模式,使用 @Observable 进行状态管理,视图组合,导航,性能优化,以及现代 iOS/macOS UI 最佳实践。

DevelopmentClaude

perl-patterns

144923
from affaan-m/everything-claude-code

现代 Perl 5.36+ 的惯用法、最佳实践和约定,用于构建稳健、可维护的 Perl 应用程序。

DevelopmentClaude

kotlin-ktor-patterns

144923
from affaan-m/everything-claude-code

Ktor 服务器模式,包括路由 DSL、插件、身份验证、Koin DI、kotlinx.serialization、WebSockets 和 testApplication 测试。

DevelopmentClaude

kotlin-exposed-patterns

144923
from affaan-m/everything-claude-code

JetBrains Exposed ORM 模式,包括 DSL 查询、DAO 模式、事务、HikariCP 连接池、Flyway 迁移和仓库模式。

DevelopmentClaude

rust-patterns

144923
from affaan-m/everything-claude-code

Idiomatic Rust patterns, ownership, error handling, traits, concurrency, and best practices for building safe, performant applications.

DevelopmentClaude

laravel-patterns

144923
from affaan-m/everything-claude-code

Laravel architecture patterns, routing/controllers, Eloquent ORM, service layers, queues, events, caching, and API resources for production apps.

DevelopmentClaude

springboot-patterns

144923
from affaan-m/everything-claude-code

Spring Boot architecture patterns, REST API design, layered services, data access, caching, async processing, and logging. Use for Java Spring Boot backend work.

DevelopmentClaude

jpa-patterns

144923
from affaan-m/everything-claude-code

JPA/Hibernate patterns for entity design, relationships, query optimization, transactions, auditing, indexing, pagination, and pooling in Spring Boot.

DevelopmentClaude

django-patterns

144923
from affaan-m/everything-claude-code

Django architecture patterns, REST API design with DRF, ORM best practices, caching, signals, middleware, and production-grade Django apps.

DevelopmentClaude

python-patterns

144923
from affaan-m/everything-claude-code

Python-specific design patterns and best practices including protocols, dataclasses, context managers, decorators, async/await, type hints, and package organization. Use when working with Python code to apply Pythonic patterns.

DevelopmentClaude

postgres-patterns

144923
from affaan-m/everything-claude-code

PostgreSQL database patterns for query optimization, schema design, indexing, and security. Quick reference for common patterns, index types, data types, and anti-pattern detection. Based on Supabase best practices.

DevelopmentClaude

golang-patterns

144923
from affaan-m/everything-claude-code

Go-specific design patterns and best practices including functional options, small interfaces, dependency injection, concurrency patterns, error handling, and package organization. Use when working with Go code to apply idiomatic Go patterns.

DevelopmentClaude