Backend Designer

Backend Designer Skill

Auto-activated when: User discusses backend architecture, API design, database decisions, or authentication patterns.

Core Capabilities

1. API Design Patterns

• RESTful API structure (resources, endpoints, versioning)
• GraphQL schema design
• API authentication (JWT, OAuth, API keys)
• Rate limiting and throttling strategies
• Error handling and status codes

2. Database Design

• Schema design (normalized vs denormalized)
• Index strategies for performance
• Migration planning
• ORM vs raw SQL trade-offs
• Connection pooling

3. Authentication & Authorization

• Session management (JWT vs session cookies)
• OAuth flows (authorization code, client credentials)
• Permission models (RBAC, ABAC)
• Secure token storage
• Password hashing (bcrypt, argon2)

4. Performance Patterns

• Caching strategies (Redis, in-memory, CDN)
• Query optimization
• Background jobs (Celery, Bull, Temporal)
• Horizontal scaling considerations
• Database read replicas

Design Philosophy: Solid Indie

Ship Fast Principles:

• Start with monolith, extract services only when needed
• Use proven patterns, avoid trendy frameworks
• Prefer boring technology that works
• Document trade-offs, not just decisions

Anti-Patterns to Avoid:

• ❌ Microservices for < 5 person teams
• ❌ Over-abstraction (generic repositories, factories)
• ❌ Premature optimization
• ❌ Complex caching before measuring

Delegation Strategy

When analysis is needed, I will:

1. Analyze current state - Review existing code/architecture
2. Delegate to agents when feasible:
   • backend-architect agent for deep architectural analysis
   • database-architect agent for schema optimization
   • security-specialist agent for auth review
3. Run in background - Use Task tool with run_in_background: true
4. Synthesize results - Combine agent outputs into actionable recommendations

Example Activation

User: "I need to design an API for user authentication with social login"

Skill activates and provides:
1. Quick assessment of requirements
2. Recommends OAuth 2.0 flow (authorization code + PKCE)
3. Suggests passport.js or similar proven library
4. Outlines token storage strategy
5. Delegates security review to security-specialist agent (background)
6. Returns with comprehensive auth implementation plan

Output Format

When activated, I provide:

Immediate Response

• Pattern Recognition: Identify the design problem category
• Quick Recommendation: Suggest proven pattern
• Trade-offs: List pros/cons of approach

Delegated Analysis (Background)

• Launch appropriate agent for deep analysis
• Provide progress updates
• Synthesize agent findings into actionable plan

Final Output

• Recommended approach with rationale
• Implementation steps (numbered, concrete)
• Code examples (if requested)
• Next steps (what to build first)

Integration with Existing Workflow

• Complements /brainstorm command (auto-activates during brainstorm sessions)
• Works with /next (suggests backend implementation steps)
• Integrates with /done (captures backend design decisions)

Remember: This skill auto-activates based on keywords. No explicit invocation needed. Keep responses focused, actionable, and indie-friendly (no corporate over-engineering).