# Pagination Cursor Builder

> Build cursor-based and keyset pagination handlers for database queries and API endpoints.

- Skill: `rmazrim/pagination-cursor-builder` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add rmazrim/pagination-cursor-builder`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/rmazrim/pagination-cursor-builder/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Integrations & APIs
- Author: RMAzrim (https://skillmd.com/u/rmazrim)
- Updated: 2026-09-22
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/rmazrim/pagination-cursor-builder

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# Pagination Cursor Builder

## Prerequisites & Dependencies
- SQL database (PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite) or NoSQL (MongoDB) with indexed columns
- Language runtime: Node.js 18+, Python 3.10+, or Go 1.21+
- Indexed monotonically increasing column (usually `id` or `created_at`)

## Execution Steps
1. Identify a stable, unique, indexed column for the cursor (prefer auto-increment `id` or `created_at` with UTC timestamp)
2. Design the API endpoint: `GET /items?cursor=last_seen_id&limit=20`
3. In the query, filter with `WHERE id > last_cursor ORDER BY id ASC LIMIT limit` (keyset pagination)
4. Return the first item's cursor to the client for the next page, and a `hasMore` flag when fewer items than `limit` are returned
5. Avoid `OFFSET` for large tables; keyset pagination maintains O(1) performance regardless of page depth
6. Support backward pagination optionally: `WHERE id < last_cursor ORDER BY id DESC LIMIT limit`
7. Validate cursor format, sanitize input, and document the pagination contract for API consumers

```sql
-- Keyset pagination (forward)
SELECT id, title, created_at
FROM articles
WHERE id > 12345   -- cursor = last seen id
ORDER BY id ASC
LIMIT 20;

-- Response: include new cursor = (SELECT MAX(id) FROM returned rows)
```