backend-core
Backend Core
Use this skill before dropping into a language-specific backend skill when the main question is architectural or operational rather than syntax-level.
For large features (multiple files, new concepts, migrations), run jimmy-skills@engineering-design-thinking first — it provides the full five-gate process before any implementation begins. The principles below are the backend-specific application of that process.
Design Thinking
Programming is thinking, not typing. Every principle below exists to protect that idea.
1. Structure serves clarity, not paradigm
Do not pick OOP, procedural, or functional because of ideology. Pick what makes the code readable after the project stops being small.
- Plain code first. Add methods, interfaces, and abstractions only when they solve an actual problem: testing, replacement, or repeated behavior.
- A handler that moves data from request to database does not need
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14backend-go-code-style
Golang code style and readability conventions that require human judgment. Use when reviewing clarity, naming noise, file organization, package boundaries, comments, or maintainability tradeoffs in Go code. Do not use this for golangci-lint setup or lint output interpretation; use `jimmy-skills@backend-go-linter` for tooling.
12backend-go-safety
Defensive Golang coding to prevent panics, silent data corruption, and subtle runtime bugs. Use whenever writing or reviewing Go code that involves nil-prone types (pointers, interfaces, maps, slices, channels), numeric conversions, resource lifecycle (defer in loops), or defensive copying. Also triggers on questions about nil panics, append aliasing, map concurrent access, float comparison, or zero-value design.
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REST API design conventions covering URL structure, HTTP methods, pagination, async patterns, idempotency, error envelopes, and API documentation standards. Use when designing new endpoints, reviewing API contracts, or establishing API guidelines before implementation in any language.
11backend-go-design-patterns
Idiomatic Golang design patterns for real backend code: constructors, error flow, dependency injection, resource lifecycle, resilience, data handling, and package boundaries. Apply when designing Go APIs, structuring packages, choosing between patterns, making architecture decisions, or hardening production behavior. Default to simple, feature-first designs unless complexity has clearly appeared.
11backend-go-grpc
Provides gRPC usage guidelines, protobuf organization, and production-ready patterns for Golang microservices. Use when implementing, reviewing, or debugging gRPC servers/clients, writing proto files, setting up interceptors, handling gRPC errors with status codes, configuring TLS/mTLS, testing with bufconn, or working with streaming RPCs.
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