How do I install the Backend skill?

Run npx skillmds@latest add atrislabs/backend in your terminal (requires Node.js), paste this page's agent-chat prompt into Claude, Cursor, or any MCP-connected agent, or download the SKILL.md file and copy it into your agent's skills directory.

What does the Backend skill do?

Backend architecture policy. Use when building APIs, services, data access, or any backend work. Prevents over-engineering. It is listed under Coding & Dev Tools on SkillMD.

Is Backend safe to use?

This skill has not completed SkillMD's automated safety review yet. SkillMD never runs a skill's scripts for you; review the SKILL.md before installing.

Which AI agents work with Backend?

This skill is tagged as working with Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex. SKILL.md is an open format, so most agents that read a skills directory can load it too.

Is Backend free to use?

Yes. Installing skills from SkillMD is free, and the skill stays under its author's original license.

Who published Backend?

atrislabs (@atrislabs) published this skill. Their other Agent Skills are listed on their SkillMD profile.

Backend by atrislabs — Agent Skill

Name: Backend
Author: atrislabs

File contents

atris-backend

Part of the Atris policy system. Prevents ai-generated backend from being over-engineered.

Atris Integration

This skill uses the Atris workflow:

Check atris/MAP.md for existing patterns before building
Reference atris/policies/atris-backend.md for full guidance
After building, run atris review to validate against this policy

Quick Reference

Naming: avoid data, result, handler, manager, service, utils. names reveal intent.

Abstractions: three concrete examples before you abstract. copy-paste until patterns emerge.

Errors: let errors bubble. include context: what were you doing? what input caused this?

Data Access: no n+1 queries. think about patterns upfront. batch when possible.

API Design: boring and consistent. same patterns everywhere.

Before Shipping Checklist

Run through atris/policies/atris-backend.md "before shipping" section:

can you explain this in one sentence?
are abstractions earning their keep?
do error messages help debugging?
anything "just in case" you could delete?

Atris Commands

atris            # load workspace context
atris plan       # break down backend task
atris do         # build with step-by-step validation
atris review     # validate against this policy

Learn More

Full policy: atris/policies/atris-backend.md
Navigation: atris/MAP.md
Workflow: atris/PERSONA.md

Frequently asked questions

Backend