nosql-database-design

SKILL.md

NoSQL Database Design

Table of Contents

Overview

When to Use

Quick Start

Reference Guides

Best Practices

Overview

Design scalable NoSQL schemas for MongoDB (document) and DynamoDB (key-value). Covers data modeling patterns, denormalization strategies, and query optimization for NoSQL systems.

When to Use

MongoDB collection design

DynamoDB table and index design

Document structure modeling

Embedding vs. referencing decisions

Query pattern optimization

NoSQL indexing strategies

Data denormalization planning

Quick Start

Minimal working example:

// Single document with embedded arrays
db.createCollection("users");

db.users.insertOne({
  _id: ObjectId("..."),
  email: "john@example.com",
  name: "John Doe",
  createdAt: new Date(),

  // Embedded address
  address: {
    street: "123 Main St",
    city: "New York",
    state: "NY",
    zipCode: "10001",
  },

  // Embedded array of items
  orders: [
    {
      orderId: ObjectId("..."),
      date: new Date(),
      total: 149.99,
    },
    {
// ... (see reference guides for full implementation)

Reference Guides

Detailed implementations in the references/ directory:

Guide
Contents

Document Structure Design
Document Structure Design

Indexing in MongoDB
Indexing in MongoDB

Schema Validation
Schema Validation

Table Structure
Table Structure

Global Secondary Indexes (GSI)
Global Secondary Indexes (GSI)

DynamoDB Item Operations
DynamoDB Item Operations

Best Practices

✅ DO

Follow established patterns and conventions

Write clean, maintainable code

Add appropriate documentation

Test thoroughly before deploying

❌ DON'T

Skip testing or validation

Ignore error handling

Hard-code configuration values

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