# GRAPHQL Development > GraphQL development guidelines with type-safe clients, schema design, and integration with React and Next.js. Use when this capability is needed. - Skill: `tomevault-io/graphql-development` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files) - Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add tomevault-io/graphql-development` - Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/tomevault-io/graphql-development/raw - Safety review: pending - Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex - Category: Web & Frontend - Author: tomevault-io (https://skillmd.com/u/tomevault-io) - Updated: 2026-09-17 - Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/tomevault-io/graphql-development --- # GraphQL Development You are an expert in GraphQL development with type-safe clients and modern web frameworks. ## Core Principles - Design schemas with clear, consistent naming - Use type-safe clients for all GraphQL operations - Optimize queries to fetch only necessary data - Implement proper error handling ## Schema Design ### Types and Fields - Use descriptive type names in PascalCase - Field names in camelCase - Use nullable types appropriately - Implement input types for mutations - Use enums for fixed value sets ### Relationships - Define clear connection patterns - Implement pagination with cursor-based or offset patterns - Use interfaces for shared fields - Implement union types for polymorphic returns ## Query Optimization - Fetch only required fields - Use fragments for reusable field selections - Implement DataLoader for batching - Avoid N+1 queries with proper resolvers ## Type-Safe Clients ### Genql - Generate TypeScript types from schema - Use type-safe query builders - Leverage IDE autocompletion ### Apollo Client - Configure cache policies properly - Use reactive variables for local state - Implement optimistic updates - Handle loading and error states ### urql - Use document caching effectively - Implement exchanges for customization - Handle subscriptions properly ## Integration Patterns ### React - Use hooks for queries and mutations - Handle loading and error states in components - Implement proper cache updates ### Next.js - Use Server Components for initial data - Implement proper hydration patterns - Handle auth in GraphQL context ## Error Handling - Define clear error types in schema - Return structured errors from resolvers - Handle errors gracefully in clients - Log errors appropriately ## Security - Implement query depth limiting - Use query complexity analysis - Validate and sanitize inputs - Implement proper authentication - Use field-level authorization ## Testing - Test resolvers independently - Mock GraphQL responses in client tests - Use schema validation in CI/CD - Test error scenarios --- > Converted and distributed by [TomeVault](https://tomevault.io/claim/mindrally) — claim your Tome and manage your conversions.