Database Expert
SkillDatabases & dataAdvanced database design and administration for PostgreSQL, MongoDB, and Redis. Use when designing schemas, optimizing queries, managing database performance, or implementing data patterns.
Available today. Use it from your connected AI after setup.
No other account needed.
Connect ahel once, and every AI you use reads what you have installed.
Then ask your AI: use the Database Expert skill
What this skill tells your AI
The instructions your AI receives, as published by travisjneuman/.claude in skills/database-expert/SKILL.md and read by ahel’s review.
database algorithm rules
When reviewing or writing code, apply these guidelines:
- You are an expert in database algorithms.
- Optimize algorithms for performance and scalability.
- Use appropriate data structures and indexing strategies.
database interaction best practices
When reviewing or writing code, apply these guidelines:
When interacting with databases:
- Use prepared statements to prevent SQL injection.
- Handle database errors gracefully.
- Consider using an ORM for complex queries and data modeling.
- Close database connections when they are no longer needed.
- Use connection pooling to improve performance.
database interaction rules
When reviewing or writing code, apply these guidelines:
- Async database libraries like asyncpg or aiomysql
- SQLAlchemy 2.0 (if using ORM features)
- Use dedicated async functions for database and external API operations.
database querying rules
When reviewing or writing code, apply these guidelines:
- Use Supabase SDK for data fetching and querying.
- For data model creation, use Supabase's schema builder.
prisma orm rules
When reviewing or writing code, apply these guidelines:
- Prisma is being used as an ORM.
supabase backend rule
When reviewing or writing code, apply these guidelines:
- Use Supabase for backend services (authentication, database interactions).
- Handle authentication flows (login, signup, logout) using Supabase.
- Manage user sessions and data securely with Supabase SDK.
supabase integration in next js
When reviewing or writing code, apply these guidelines:
You are familiar with latest features of supabase and how to integrate with Next.js application.
supabase integration rules
When reviewing or writing code, apply these guidelines:
- Follow best practices for Supabase integration, including data fetching and authentication.
- Use TypeScript for type safety when interacting with Supabase.
supabase specific rules
When reviewing or writing code,
Consolidated Skills
This expert skill consolidates 1 individual skills:
- database-expert
Iron Laws
- ALWAYS use parameterized queries or ORM query builders — never concatenate user input into SQL strings under any circumstances.
- NEVER expose database connection strings or credentials to frontend code — all DB access must go through server-side API functions or edge functions.
- ALWAYS enable Row-Level Security (RLS) on Supabase/PostgreSQL tables that contain multi-tenant or user-scoped data.
- NEVER run queries without pagination on tables that can grow unbounded — always add LIMIT or cursor-based pagination to prevent timeout and memory spikes.
- ALWAYS use database transactions for multi-step operations that must be atomic — never rely on independent sequential queries when data consistency is required.
Anti-Patterns
| Anti-Pattern | Why It Fails | Correct Approach |
|---|---|---|
| String-concatenated SQL queries | SQL injection vector; one unsanitized input compromises the database | Use ORM query builders or parameterized prepared statements |
| No RLS on multi-tenant tables | Any authenticated user can read/write other users' data | Enable RLS policies scoped to auth.uid() on all user-scoped tables |
Unbounded .findAll() / SELECT * without LIMIT | Returns entire table; causes timeouts and memory spikes on large datasets | Always paginate with LIMIT/OFFSET or cursor-based pagination |
| No connection pooling | Serverless functions exhaust database connections under load | Use PgBouncer / Supavisor in transaction mode |
| Logging full query strings with values | Leaks PII and credentials into log aggregators | Log query templates only; redact all bound parameter values |
MCP Database Servers
Use official MCP servers to give agents direct database access without writing custom integration code.
PostgreSQL MCP Server
# Quick start — no install required
npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/server-postgres postgresql://user:pass@localhost/mydb
# Claude Desktop / agent-studio settings.json
{
"mcpServers": {
"postgres": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-postgres", "${DATABASE_URL}"]
}
}
}
Available tools: query (read-only SELECT), list_tables, describe_table
Key design: read-only enforcement
The PostgreSQL MCP server wraps queries in BEGIN READ ONLY transactions, preventing accidental mutations. For write operations, build a custom MCP server with explicit write tools annotated destructiveHint: true.
Agent workflow pattern:
1. list_tables → discover available tables
2. describe_table → understand schema before querying
3. query → run SELECT with explicit column list + LIMIT
SQLite MCP Server
npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/server-sqlite /path/to/database.db
# settings.json
{
"mcpServers": {
"sqlite": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-sqlite", "/path/to/database.db"]
}
}
}
Available tools: read_query, write_query, create_table, list_tables, describe_table, insert_row, delete_rows
SQLite MCP usage patterns:
-- Discover schema
list_tables()
describe_table({ table_name: "users" })
-- Safe read pattern
read_query({ query: "SELECT id, name, email FROM users WHERE active = 1 LIMIT 100" })
-- Write with explicit columns (never INSERT SELECT *)
insert_row({ table_name: "users", data: { name: "Alice", email: "alice@example.com" } })
-- Conditional delete (always use WHERE)
delete_rows({ table_name: "sessions", where: "expires_at < datetime('now')" })
Security rules for SQLite MCP:
- Point the server at a dedicated app database, never system databases
- Use read-only file permissions when write access is not required
- Log all
write_queryanddelete_rowscalls in audit trail
When to Use MCP vs Custom Implementation
| Scenario | Use MCP Server | Build Custom |
|---|---|---|
| Agent needs to query a DB for context | MCP (postgres/sqlite) | No |
| Read-only exploration / analysis | MCP | No |
| Complex business logic + DB writes | No | Custom MCP with validated tools |
| Multiple DB operations in one transaction | No | Custom (MCP is single-op) |
| DB + external API in one workflow | No | Custom orchestration |
Memory Protocol (MANDATORY)
Before starting:
cat .claude/context/memory/learnings.md
After completing: Record any new patterns or exceptions discovered.
ASSUME INTERRUPTION: Your context may reset. If it's not in memory, it didn't happen.
Signals
- GitHub stars
- 97
- Forks
- 22
- Last commit
- Sep 2026
Advanced
- Catalog kind
- skill
- Gateway key
database-expert- Source
- github.com/travisjneuman/.claude