nestjs-api-standards
Create standardized API response envelopes, paginated endpoints, and error interceptors in NestJS. Use when implementing response wrappers, pagination DTOs, or global error formats. (triggers: **/*.controller.ts, **/*.dto.ts, ApiResponse, Pagination, TransformInterceptor)
Best use case
nestjs-api-standards is best used when you need a repeatable AI agent workflow instead of a one-off prompt.
Create standardized API response envelopes, paginated endpoints, and error interceptors in NestJS. Use when implementing response wrappers, pagination DTOs, or global error formats. (triggers: **/*.controller.ts, **/*.dto.ts, ApiResponse, Pagination, TransformInterceptor)
Teams using nestjs-api-standards should expect a more consistent output, faster repeated execution, less prompt rewriting.
When to use this skill
- You want a reusable workflow that can be run more than once with consistent structure.
When not to use this skill
- You only need a quick one-off answer and do not need a reusable workflow.
- You cannot install or maintain the underlying files, dependencies, or repository context.
Installation
Claude Code / Cursor / Codex
Manual Installation
- Download SKILL.md from GitHub
- Place it in
.claude/skills/nestjs-api-standards/SKILL.mdinside your project - Restart your AI agent — it will auto-discover the skill
How nestjs-api-standards Compares
| Feature / Agent | nestjs-api-standards | Standard Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Platform Support | Not specified | Limited / Varies |
| Context Awareness | High | Baseline |
| Installation Complexity | Unknown | N/A |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does this skill do?
Create standardized API response envelopes, paginated endpoints, and error interceptors in NestJS. Use when implementing response wrappers, pagination DTOs, or global error formats. (triggers: **/*.controller.ts, **/*.dto.ts, ApiResponse, Pagination, TransformInterceptor)
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.
SKILL.md Source
# NestJS API Standards & Common Patterns
## **Priority: P1 (OPERATIONAL)**
Standardized API response patterns and common NestJS conventions.
## Workflow: Standardize an API Endpoint
1. **Create Response DTO** — Define a dedicated DTO for every endpoint return type.
2. **Map entity to DTO** — Use `plainToInstance(UserResponseDto, user)` in the service or controller.
3. **Apply TransformInterceptor** — Bind globally to wrap all responses in `{ statusCode, data, meta }`.
4. **Add nested validation** — Decorate nested DTO properties with `@ValidateNested()` + `@Type()`.
5. **Document with Swagger** — Apply `@ApiResponse({ status, type })` with exact types per endpoint.
## Response Wrapper Example
See [implementation examples](references/implementation.md)
## Entity-to-DTO Mapping Example
See [implementation examples](references/implementation.md)
## Deep Validation (Critical)
- **[Rule] Nested Validation**: When a DTO property is an object or array of objects, you MUST use `@ValidateNested()` along with `@Type(() => TargetDto)` from `class-transformer` to ensure deep validation.
## Pagination Standards
- **DTOs**: Use strict `PageOptionsDto` (page/take/order) and `PageDto<T>` (data/meta).
- **Swagger Logic**: Generics require `ApiExtraModels` and schema path resolution.
- **Reference**: See [Pagination Wrapper Implementation](references/pagination-wrapper.md) for the complete `ApiPaginatedResponse` decorator code.
## Custom Error Response
- **Standard Error Object**: Define `ApiErrorResponse` with `statusCode`, `message`, `error`, `timestamp`, `path`. See [Error Response Class](references/error-response.md).
- **Docs**: Apply `@ApiBadRequestResponse({ type: ApiErrorResponse })` globally or per controller.
## Anti-Patterns
- **No raw entity returns**: Always map to a Response DTO; raw entities leak internal fields.
- **No unvalidated nested DTOs**: Use `@ValidateNested()` + `@Type()` for all nested object properties.
- **No generic 200 docs**: Apply `@ApiResponse({ status, type })` with exact types per endpoint.
## References
- [Pagination Wrapper](references/pagination-wrapper.md)
- [Error Response Class](references/error-response.md)Related Skills
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