Backend Development Guidelines
Production-tested patterns for building maintainable Node.js/Express/TypeScript microservices with proper layered architecture, input validation, error tracking, and testing strategies.
Essential for backend developers building scalable TypeScript APIs with Express, Prisma, and Sentry.
Core Purpose
This skill provides comprehensive backend development patterns for:
- Layered Architecture: Clear separation between controllers, services, and repositories
- Express.js Patterns: Proper routing, middleware, and request handling
- Prisma ORM: Database operations with type safety
- Input Validation: Zod schemas for request validation
- Error Tracking: Sentry integration for production monitoring
- Testing Strategies: Unit and integration testing approaches
Key Features
Backend Architecture Patterns
Controller Layer:
- Request/response handling
- Input validation
- Error handling and status codes
- API endpoint organization
Service Layer:
- Business logic implementation
- Transaction management
- Cross-cutting concerns
- Reusable service patterns
Repository Layer:
- Prisma database operations
- Query optimization
- Type-safe data access
- Database abstraction
Quality & Monitoring:
- Zod validation schemas
- Sentry error tracking
- Comprehensive testing
- Performance monitoring
Use Cases
Perfect for:
- API Development: Building RESTful APIs with Express
- Microservices: TypeScript-based service architecture
- Database Operations: Type-safe Prisma patterns
- Production Apps: Error tracking and monitoring
- Team Standards: Consistent backend patterns
Getting Started
- Review Architecture: Understand controller/service/repository layers
- Set Up Validation: Implement Zod schemas for inputs
- Configure Sentry: Integrate error tracking
- Add Testing: Follow testing patterns
- Apply Patterns: Use in your Express/Prisma project
Technology Stack
- Node.js with TypeScript
- Express.js for routing
- Prisma ORM for database
- Zod for validation
- Sentry for error tracking
Credits
Created by diet103 as part of the Claude Code Infrastructure Showcase, distilled from 6 months of managing complex TypeScript microservices in production.
Battle-tested patterns from real-world experience, shared after the viral Reddit post "Claude Code is a Beast – Tips from 6 Months of Hardcore Use."