# Backend Quality

> Core reference skill defining the backend quality dimension taxonomy, finding format, scoring model, and deterministic check catalog. Not user-invokable — referenced by all axiom skills as the shared foundation.

- Skill: `lvlup-sw/backend-quality` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 6 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add lvlup-sw/backend-quality`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/lvlup-sw/backend-quality/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: AI & ML
- Author: lvlup-sw (https://skillmd.com/u/lvlup-sw)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/lvlup-sw/backend-quality

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# Backend Quality — Foundation Reference

This skill defines the shared foundation for all axiom backend quality skills. It is NOT user-invokable — it exists to be referenced by the specialized skills.

## Dimension Taxonomy

Eight canonical quality dimensions: `@skills/backend-quality/references/dimensions.md`

| ID | Name | What it assesses |
|----|------|-----------------|
| DIM-1 | Topology | Dependency graphs, wiring, ambient state |
| DIM-2 | Observability | Error visibility, logging, failure transparency |
| DIM-3 | Contracts | Schema integrity, API consistency, type safety |
| DIM-4 | Test Fidelity | Test-production divergence, mock quality |
| DIM-5 | Hygiene | Dead code, vestigial patterns, evolutionary leftovers |
| DIM-6 | Architecture | SOLID, coupling, cohesion, dependency direction |
| DIM-7 | Resilience | Resource management, timeouts, failure handling |
| DIM-8 | Prose Quality | AI-writing patterns, documentation authenticity |

## Finding Format

Standard schema for all skill output: `@skills/backend-quality/references/findings-format.md`

## Scoring Model

Verdict computation and health thresholds: `@skills/backend-quality/references/scoring-model.md`

## Deterministic Checks

Grep patterns and structural checks per dimension: `@skills/backend-quality/references/deterministic-checks.md`

## Pairing Contract

How `axiom:design` composes with project-specific invariants skills via the `pairs-with` frontmatter slot: `@skills/backend-quality/references/pairing-contract.md`