backend-patterns

Implement REST API backend patterns with JWT auth and Zod validation.

39|6|Updated Jan 12, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/devsforge/orchestrator --skill backend-patterns-devsforge
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: backend-patterns
Source: https://github.com/devsforge/orchestrator/tree/main/skills/backend-patterns
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/devsforge/orchestrator --skill backend-patterns-devsforge

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

It helps prevent common backend mistakes by providing proven patterns for API design, authentication, validation, error handling, caching, and database interactions.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • API design conventions: Consistent RESTful routing, status codes, and response shapes for predictable client integration.
  • Authentication & authorization: JWT login/refresh flows plus middleware and role-based access control patterns.
  • Validation, errors, and resilience: Zod-based schema validation with centralized error handling and structured error payloads.
  • Performance and data integrity: Cache-aside Redis strategies, rate-limiting guidance, repository patterns, and transactional writes for correctness.

Quick Start

Ask: “Using backend-patterns, propose a REST API for a user management service, including JWT auth, Zod validation schemas, a centralized error handler, Redis caching for user reads, and a repository layer with transactional order-creation logic.”

Frequently Asked Questions about backend-patterns

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I implement JWT login and refresh token flows with middleware in a REST API?

JWT authentication requires login and refresh token flows integrated with middleware to intercept requests, verify access tokens, and issue new tokens upon refresh. This pattern ensures secure, role-based authorization across protected API routes.

What is the best way to centralize error handling for Zod validation and database errors?

Centralize error handling by creating a unified error handler that catches HTTP, Zod, and database exceptions. This approach standardizes error payloads into consistent response shapes, ensuring predictable client integration across your REST API.

How does Redis cache-aside pattern work for backend API data reads?

The Redis cache-aside pattern checks the cache before querying the database; on a miss, it fetches data from the database, stores it in Redis, and returns it. Proper invalidation semantics ensure stale data is removed during transactional writes.

How do I design REST API routes with consistent response shapes and status codes?

Design REST API routes by applying conventions for RESTful routing, standard HTTP status codes, and uniform response shapes. This consistency prevents common backend mistakes and enables predictable client integration.

When do I need Zod schema validation in backend development?

You need Zod schema validation in backend development to enforce typed request and response contracts at API boundaries. It prevents invalid data from reaching your business logic and database layers by rejecting malformed payloads early.

Can I use repository patterns with transactional operations for database writes?

Yes, you can use repository patterns with transactional operations to isolate data access logic and ensure database write correctness. This combination maintains data integrity by grouping related writes into atomic transactional blocks.