Best skills for Backend developer
As a backend developer, you build the core logic, APIs, and data layers that power applications. Two AI skills stand out for this role: Domain-Driven Design (DDD) and Definition of Done (DoD). DDD helps you model complex business domains through bounded contexts, aggregates, and ubiquitous language – AI can expedite this by suggesting patterns based on your domain descriptions. The Definition of Done ensures every feature meets a clear quality bar, including tests, documentation, and code review. Together, they help you ship maintainable, business-aligned backend systems. A common pitfall is treating AI-generated code as finished work: always apply your DoD checklist. DDD keeps your architecture focused on business value, not technical clutter. These skills aren't shortcuts; they're force multipliers for designing robust, scalable backend solutions.
24 skills selected
Safe Database Migration
Development
Run database migrations with safety checks: dry-run previews before staging/production, automatic rollback guidance, and explicit confirmation for production. Use it to apply schema changes without risking data loss or downtime.
Code Deslopper: Semantic Code Cleanup
Development
Semantic code cleanup and refactoring assistant that removes AI-generated code smells, unnecessary abstractions, and duplication while preserving behavior.
Django Expert Backend
Development
Provides expert guidance for Django backend development. Use it when building Django models, views, APIs with DRF, optimizing ORM queries, or implementing authentication and testing. Follows Django best practices to improve code quality and performance.
Rate Limiting Design Guide
Development
Executes a rate limiting design guide covering algorithms like Token Bucket, Leaky Bucket, and Sliding Window with implementation examples in Redis and Node.js.
Python dependency management with uv
Development
Manages Python dependencies, lock files, and project environments using uv. Add, remove, sync, and run commands in the uv-managed environment.
Python dependency management with uv
Development
Manages the Python dependency lifecycle with uv: add/remove packages, sync environments, lock files, and run commands in the project environment.
Algorithms and Data Structures
Development
Requires complexity analysis, proper data structure selection, and rigorous algorithm implementation for Python and ML pipelines at principal-engineer level.
Manage Python Dependencies with uv
Development
I handle the full uv dependency-management lifecycle: adding/removing packages, syncing environments, regenerating lock files, running commands in project environment, and initializing new projects.
Temporal Python Workflows
Development
Manage Temporal workflows using local dev server and Python SDK. Includes starting, stopping, debugging, and troubleshooting.
Python Patterns and Decision-Making
Development
This skill provides principles for making decisions in Python development: framework selection (FastAPI, Django, Flask), async vs sync patterns, type hints strategy, and project structure. It helps developers choose the right approach based on context rather than memorizing fixed patterns.
No Johns Setup Troubleshooter
Development
Diagnoses and fixes common setup issues for No Johns, an AI training framework for Melee. Runs systematic checks on Python 3.12, required packages (libmelee, pyenet), configuration files (Dolphin path, ISO, connect code), Dolphin installation, and arena connectivity. Useful when users encounter errors during initial setup or after updates.
Manage Python dependencies with uv
Development
Manage Python dependencies, lock files, and project environments using the uv package manager. Add, remove, and sync packages efficiently.
Add Game Subsystem
Development
Scaffolds a complete new game subsystem end-to-end: models, service, router, schemas, migrations, OpenAPI spec, and tests. Use this skill when adding a major new game feature that spans multiple layers (database, service, API, tests), such as a crafting system, an auction house, a reputation system, or a quest system.
Python Dependency Management with uv
Development
Manage Python dependencies, lock files, and project environments using the uv package manager.
uv Dependency Manager
Development
Manage Python dependencies, lock files, and project environments using the uv package manager.
Python dependency management with uv
Development
Manage Python dependencies, lock files, and project environments using the uv package manager. Add, remove, sync, and run commands in the project environment.
Python dependency management with uv
Development
Handles the full Python dependency lifecycle with uv: add/remove packages, sync environments, regenerate lock files, and run commands in the project environment.
Python Dependency Manager with uv
Development
Manage Python dependencies, lock files, and project environments using the uv package manager.
Domain-Driven Architecture Patterns
Development
Provides tactical Domain-Driven Design patterns for Python applications, including Domain Model, Repository, Service Layer, Unit of Work, and Aggregates. Helps architect clean backend systems with clear separation between business logic and infrastructure, and supports decisions on service boundaries and data access layers.
Code Quality Checker
Development
Runs ruff for linting and mypy for type checking on the codebase. It can auto-fix ruff violations and target specific directories. Useful for catching style issues, security warnings, and type errors before commit.
uv: Python dependency management
Development
Manage Python dependencies, lock files, and project environments with uv: add/remove packages, sync, and run commands.
TinyDB Database Management for JSON Storage
Development
Configure and operate TinyDB for JSON-based document storage. The skill covers setup, CRUD operations, ID generation, and query patterns. It helps when building applications that need lightweight JSON persistence with search capabilities.
Python Functional Code Reviewer
Development
This skill reviews Python codebases with a focus on functional programming, avoiding for-loops, and promoting clean, composable code. It enforces code quality via ruff and validates environment hygiene with uv. Useful for ensuring modern, maintainable Python code.
Manage Python dependencies with uv
Development
Manages the full Python dependency lifecycle with uv: add, remove, sync, lock, and run commands in the project environment.
How to choose
- How are these skills selected?
- Each skill is curated and verified by the Skills Guides editorial team. We run a security and quality review on every entry, so only verified skills appear in this selection.
- What do the security ratings mean?
- We label skills Safe, Caution or Risky based on our security analysis — checking for prompt-injection risks, requested permissions and other red flags. The rating gives you an at-a-glance sense of how much trust a skill warrants.
- How do I install a skill?
- Open any skill page and follow its install instructions for your tool — Claude Code, Cursor or Copilot. Each skill lists the exact steps so you can get it running in a couple of minutes.