Database Expert

SkillDatabases & data

Advanced 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.

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

  1. ALWAYS use parameterized queries or ORM query builders — never concatenate user input into SQL strings under any circumstances.
  2. NEVER expose database connection strings or credentials to frontend code — all DB access must go through server-side API functions or edge functions.
  3. ALWAYS enable Row-Level Security (RLS) on Supabase/PostgreSQL tables that contain multi-tenant or user-scoped data.
  4. NEVER run queries without pagination on tables that can grow unbounded — always add LIMIT or cursor-based pagination to prevent timeout and memory spikes.
  5. 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-PatternWhy It FailsCorrect Approach
String-concatenated SQL queriesSQL injection vector; one unsanitized input compromises the databaseUse ORM query builders or parameterized prepared statements
No RLS on multi-tenant tablesAny authenticated user can read/write other users' dataEnable RLS policies scoped to auth.uid() on all user-scoped tables
Unbounded .findAll() / SELECT * without LIMITReturns entire table; causes timeouts and memory spikes on large datasetsAlways paginate with LIMIT/OFFSET or cursor-based pagination
No connection poolingServerless functions exhaust database connections under loadUse PgBouncer / Supavisor in transaction mode
Logging full query strings with valuesLeaks PII and credentials into log aggregatorsLog 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_query and delete_rows calls in audit trail

When to Use MCP vs Custom Implementation

ScenarioUse MCP ServerBuild Custom
Agent needs to query a DB for contextMCP (postgres/sqlite)No
Read-only exploration / analysisMCPNo
Complex business logic + DB writesNoCustom MCP with validated tools
Multiple DB operations in one transactionNoCustom (MCP is single-op)
DB + external API in one workflowNoCustom 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