nodejs-backend-patterns

SKILL.md

Node.js Backend Patterns

Comprehensive guidance for building scalable, maintainable, and production-ready Node.js backend applications with modern frameworks, architectural patterns, and best practices.

When to Use This Skill

Building REST APIs or GraphQL servers

Creating microservices with Node.js

Implementing authentication and authorization

Designing scalable backend architectures

Setting up middleware and error handling

Integrating databases (SQL and NoSQL)

Building real-time applications with WebSockets

Implementing background job processing

Detailed patterns and worked examples

Detailed pattern documentation lives in references/details.md. Read that file when the navigation tier above is insufficient.
Best Practices

Use TypeScript: Type safety prevents runtime errors

Implement proper error handling: Use custom error classes

Validate input: Use libraries like Zod or Joi

Use environment variables: Never hardcode secrets

Implement logging: Use structured logging (Pino, Winston)

Add rate limiting: Prevent abuse

Use HTTPS: Always in production

Implement CORS properly: Don't use * in production

Use dependency injection: Easier testing and maintenance

Write tests: Unit, integration, and E2E tests

Handle graceful shutdown: Clean up resources

Use connection pooling: For databases

Implement health checks: For monitoring

Use compression: Reduce response size

Monitor performance: Use APM tools

Testing Patterns

See javascript-testing-patterns skill for comprehensive testing guidance.