copy paste

skills/software/api-backend.md

@@ -0,0 +1,45 @@
+# API and Backend Work
+
+## Purpose
+
+Guide server-side, service, API, data, and integration changes with attention to contracts, compatibility, failure handling, and operational impact.
+
+## When to use
+
+- Modifying endpoints, handlers, services, jobs, or data flows
+- Adding or changing schemas, persistence, or integration behavior
+- Working on backend business logic or infrastructure-facing code
+- Investigating performance, reliability, or contract issues on the server side
+
+## Inputs to gather
+
+- API contracts, schema, storage models, and service boundaries
+- Existing validation, auth, error handling, and observability patterns
+- Compatibility constraints for clients, data, and deployments
+- Current tests and representative request or event flows
+
+## How to work
+
+- Trace the full request or job lifecycle before changing a boundary.
+- Preserve compatibility intentionally or document the break clearly.
+- Handle validation, authorization, error responses, and retries in line with existing system behavior.
+- Consider migration, rollout, and operational visibility when data or contracts change.
+- Add or update tests at the right layer for the change.
+
+## Output expectations
+
+- Working backend change with contract implications made explicit
+- Notes on schema, config, data, or rollout impact
+- Verification results covering the critical paths
+
+## Quality checklist
+
+- Inputs and outputs are validated appropriately.
+- Failure handling is explicit and consistent.
+- Compatibility and migration impact are understood.
+- Logging, metrics, or observability concerns are addressed when relevant.
+
+## Handoff notes
+
+- Call out any required coordination with frontend, data migration, configuration, or deployment steps.
+- Note backwards-incompatible changes clearly and early.