rust-api-design

Design Rust APIs with builder patterns, newtypes, traits, and sealed traits.

Updated Apr 20, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/vincent119/ai-rules-kit --skill rust-api-design
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: rust-api-design
Source: https://github.com/vincent119/ai-rules-kit/tree/main/skills/rust-api-design
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/vincent119/ai-rules-kit --skill rust-api-design

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

Rust APIs often suffer from unsafe ergonomics and inconsistent design decisions that hinder safety, readability, and maintainability.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Builder Pattern: enable complex configurations with fluent, type-safe builders.
  • Newtype Pattern: enforce semantic meaning and prevent mixing values across domains.
  • Trait Design & Generics: craft flexible, reusable APIs with trait-based abstractions and generic bounds.
  • Sealed Traits: restrict external implementations to preserve invariants.
  • Type-safety Focus: encode invariants at compile time for safer APIs.

Quick Start

Apply these patterns in your Rust crate by refactoring constructors to builders, replacing primitive params with newtypes, and using traits to define stable, extensible interfaces.

Frequently Asked Questions about rust-api-design

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

FAQPage Schema
How do I design type-safe generic interfaces in Rust?

Rust builder patterns enable complex configurations through fluent, type-safe builders. You refactor constructors into builders, allowing step-by-step object assembly with compile-time validation of required fields and state transitions.

What is the newtype pattern in Rust and when should I use it?

Sealed traits in Rust restrict external implementations to preserve API invariants. By sealing traits, you prevent downstream crates from implementing your traits, ensuring internal consistency and allowing you to evolve interfaces without breaking changes.

How to use sealed traits to restrict external implementations in Rust?

Sealed traits in Rust restrict external implementations to preserve API invariants. By sealing traits, you prevent downstream crates from implementing your traits, ensuring internal consistency and allowing you to evolve interfaces without breaking changes.

Best way to improve Rust library ergonomics for module designers?

Improving Rust library ergonomics involves applying consistent design patterns like builder-patterns, newtypes, and trait-based abstractions. This approach resolves unsafe ergonomics and inconsistent decisions, delivering safe, readable, and maintainable interfaces.

Do I need trait design and generics to build safe Rust libraries?

Trait design and generics are essential for building safe Rust libraries because they craft flexible, reusable APIs with trait-based abstractions. Combined with newtypes and sealed traits, they encode invariants at compile time to deliver safe interfaces.