Node.js Best Practices

Overview

This public intake copy packages

plugins/antigravity-awesome-skills-claude/skills/nodejs-best-practices

https://github.com/sickn33/antigravity-awesome-skills

Use it when the operator needs the upstream workflow, support files, and repository context to stay intact while the public validator and private enhancer continue their normal downstream flow.

This intake keeps the copied upstream files intact and uses

metadata.json

ORIGIN.md

Node.js Best Practices > Principles and decision-making for Node.js development in 2025. > Learn to THINK, not memorize code patterns.

Imported source sections that did not map cleanly to the public headings are still preserved below or in the support files. Notable imported sections: ⚠️ How to Use This Skill, 1. Framework Selection (2025), 2. Runtime Considerations (2025), 10. Anti-Patterns to Avoid, 11. Decision Checklist, Limitations.

When to Use This Skill

Use this section as the trigger filter. It should make the activation boundary explicit before the operator loads files, runs commands, or opens a pull request.

• Use this skill when making Node.js architecture decisions, choosing frameworks, designing async patterns, or applying security and deployment best practices.
• Use when the request clearly matches the imported source intent: Node.js development principles and decision-making. Framework selection, async patterns, security, and architecture. Teaches thinking, not copying.
• Use when the operator should preserve upstream workflow detail instead of rewriting the process from scratch.
• Use when provenance needs to stay visible in the answer, PR, or review packet.
• Use when copied upstream references, examples, or scripts materially improve the answer.
• Use when the workflow should remain reviewable in the public intake repo before the private enhancer takes over.

Operating Table

metadata.json

ORIGIN.md

SKILL.md

SKILL.md

## Related Skills

Workflow

This workflow is intentionally editorial and operational at the same time. It keeps the imported source useful to the operator while still satisfying the public intake standards that feed the downstream enhancer flow.

1. Confirm the user goal, the scope of the imported workflow, and whether this skill is still the right router for the task.
2. Read the overview and provenance files before loading any copied upstream support files.
3. Load only the references, examples, prompts, or scripts that materially change the outcome for the current request.
4. Execute the upstream workflow while keeping provenance and source boundaries explicit in the working notes.
5. Validate the result against the upstream expectations and the evidence you can point to in the copied files.
6. Escalate or hand off to a related skill when the work moves out of this imported workflow's center of gravity.
7. Before merge or closure, record what was used, what changed, and what the reviewer still needs to verify.

Imported Workflow Notes

Imported: ⚠️ How to Use This Skill

This skill teaches decision-making principles, not fixed code to copy.

• ASK user for preferences when unclear
• Choose framework/pattern based on CONTEXT
• Don't default to same solution every time

Examples

Example 1: Ask for the upstream workflow directly

Use @nodejs-best-practices to handle <task>. Start from the copied upstream workflow, load only the files that change the outcome, and keep provenance visible in the answer.

Explanation: This is the safest starting point when the operator needs the imported workflow, but not the entire repository.

Example 2: Ask for a provenance-grounded review

Review @nodejs-best-practices against metadata.json and ORIGIN.md, then explain which copied upstream files you would load first and why.

Explanation: Use this before review or troubleshooting when you need a precise, auditable explanation of origin and file selection.

Example 3: Narrow the copied support files before execution

Use @nodejs-best-practices for <task>. Load only the copied references, examples, or scripts that change the outcome, and name the files explicitly before proceeding.

Explanation: This keeps the skill aligned with progressive disclosure instead of loading the whole copied package by default.

Example 4: Build a reviewer packet

Review @nodejs-best-practices using the copied upstream files plus provenance, then summarize any gaps before merge.

Explanation: This is useful when the PR is waiting for human review and you want a repeatable audit packet.

Best Practices

Treat the generated public skill as a reviewable packaging layer around the upstream repository. The goal is to keep provenance explicit and load only the copied source material that materially improves execution.

• Testability: Mock layers independently
• Flexibility: Swap database without touching business logic
• Clarity: Each layer has single responsibility
• Small scripts → Single file OK
• Prototypes → Less structure acceptable
• Always ask: "Will this grow?"
• Situation - Status - When

Imported Operating Notes

Imported: 3. Architecture Principles

Layered Structure Concept

Request Flow:
│
├── Controller/Route Layer
│   ├── Handles HTTP specifics
│   ├── Input validation at boundary
│   └── Calls service layer
│
├── Service Layer
│   ├── Business logic
│   ├── Framework-agnostic
│   └── Calls repository layer
│
└── Repository Layer
    ├── Data access only
    ├── Database queries
    └── ORM interactions

Why This Matters:

• Testability: Mock layers independently
• Flexibility: Swap database without touching business logic
• Clarity: Each layer has single responsibility

When to Simplify:

• Small scripts → Single file OK
• Prototypes → Less structure acceptable
• Always ask: "Will this grow?"

Imported: 4. Error Handling Principles

Centralized Error Handling

Pattern:
├── Create custom error classes
├── Throw from any layer
├── Catch at top level (middleware)
└── Format consistent response

Error Response Philosophy

Client gets:
├── Appropriate HTTP status
├── Error code for programmatic handling
├── User-friendly message
└── NO internal details (security!)

Logs get:
├── Full stack trace
├── Request context
├── User ID (if applicable)
└── Timestamp

Status Code Selection

Imported: 5. Async Patterns Principles

When to Use Each

async/await

Promise.all

Promise.allSettled

Promise.race

Event Loop Awareness

I/O-bound (async helps):
├── Database queries
├── HTTP requests
├── File system
└── Network operations

CPU-bound (async doesn't help):
├── Crypto operations
├── Image processing
├── Complex calculations
└── → Use worker threads or offload

Avoiding Event Loop Blocking

• Never use sync methods in production (fs.readFileSync, etc.)
• Offload CPU-intensive work
• Use streaming for large data

Imported: 6. Validation Principles

Validate at Boundaries

Where to validate:
├── API entry point (request body/params)
├── Before database operations
├── External data (API responses, file uploads)
└── Environment variables (startup)

Validation Library Selection

Validation Philosophy

• Fail fast: Validate early
• Be specific: Clear error messages
• Don't trust: Even "internal" data

Imported: 7. Security Principles

Security Checklist (Not Code)

• Input validation: All inputs validated
• Parameterized queries: No string concatenation for SQL
• Password hashing: bcrypt or argon2
• JWT verification: Always verify signature and expiry
• Rate limiting: Protect from abuse
• Security headers: Helmet.js or equivalent
• HTTPS: Everywhere in production
• CORS: Properly configured
• Secrets: Environment variables only
• Dependencies: Regularly audited

Security Mindset

Trust nothing:
├── Query params → validate
├── Request body → validate
├── Headers → verify
├── Cookies → validate
├── File uploads → scan
└── External APIs → validate response

Imported: 8. Testing Principles

Test Strategy Selection

What to Test (Priorities)

1. Critical paths: Auth, payments, core business
2. Edge cases: Empty inputs, boundaries
3. Error handling: What happens when things fail?
4. Not worth testing: Framework code, trivial getters

Built-in Test Runner (Node.js 22+)

node --test src/**/*.test.ts
├── No external dependency
├── Good coverage reporting
└── Watch mode available

Troubleshooting

Problem: The operator skipped the imported context and answered too generically

Symptoms: The result ignores the upstream workflow in

plugins/antigravity-awesome-skills-claude/skills/nodejs-best-practices

metadata.json

ORIGIN.md

Problem: The imported workflow feels incomplete during review

Symptoms: Reviewers can see the generated

SKILL.md

Problem: The task drifted into a different specialization

Symptoms: The imported skill starts in the right place, but the work turns into debugging, architecture, design, security, or release orchestration that a native skill handles better. Solution: Use the related skills section to hand off deliberately. Keep the imported provenance visible so the next skill inherits the right context instead of starting blind.

Related Skills

• @monte-carlo-monitor-creation

  - Use when the work is better handled by that native specialization after this imported skill establishes context.

• @monte-carlo-prevent

  - Use when the work is better handled by that native specialization after this imported skill establishes context.

• @monte-carlo-push-ingestion

  - Use when the work is better handled by that native specialization after this imported skill establishes context.

• @monte-carlo-validation-notebook

  - Use when the work is better handled by that native specialization after this imported skill establishes context.

Additional Resources

Use this support matrix and the linked files below as the operator packet for this imported skill. They should reflect real copied source material, not generic scaffolding.

references

references/n/a

examples

examples/n/a

scripts

scripts/n/a

agents

agents/n/a

assets

assets/n/a

Imported Reference Notes

Imported: 1. Framework Selection (2025)

Decision Tree

What are you building?
│
├── Edge/Serverless (Cloudflare, Vercel)
│   └── Hono (zero-dependency, ultra-fast cold starts)
│
├── High Performance API
│   └── Fastify (2-3x faster than Express)
│
├── Enterprise/Team familiarity
│   └── NestJS (structured, DI, decorators)
│
├── Legacy/Stable/Maximum ecosystem
│   └── Express (mature, most middleware)
│
└── Full-stack with frontend
    └── Next.js API Routes or tRPC

Comparison Principles

Selection Questions to Ask:

1. What's the deployment target?
2. Is cold start time critical?
3. Does team have existing experience?
4. Is there legacy code to maintain?

Imported: 2. Runtime Considerations (2025)

Native TypeScript

Node.js 22+: --experimental-strip-types
├── Run .ts files directly
├── No build step needed for simple projects
└── Consider for: scripts, simple APIs

Module System Decision

ESM (import/export)
├── Modern standard
├── Better tree-shaking
├── Async module loading
└── Use for: new projects

CommonJS (require)
├── Legacy compatibility
├── More npm packages support
└── Use for: existing codebases, some edge cases

Runtime Selection

Imported: 10. Anti-Patterns to Avoid

❌ DON'T:

• Use Express for new edge projects (use Hono)
• Use sync methods in production code
• Put business logic in controllers
• Skip input validation
• Hardcode secrets
• Trust external data without validation
• Block event loop with CPU work

✅ DO:

• Choose framework based on context
• Ask user for preferences when unclear
• Use layered architecture for growing projects
• Validate all inputs
• Use environment variables for secrets
• Profile before optimizing

Imported: 11. Decision Checklist

Before implementing:

• Asked user about stack preference?
• Chosen framework for THIS context? (not just default)
• Considered deployment target?
• Planned error handling strategy?
• Identified validation points?
• Considered security requirements?

Remember: Node.js best practices are about decision-making, not memorizing patterns. Every project deserves fresh consideration based on its requirements.

Imported: Limitations

• Use this skill only when the task clearly matches the scope described above.
• Do not treat the output as a substitute for environment-specific validation, testing, or expert review.
• Stop and ask for clarification if required inputs, permissions, safety boundaries, or success criteria are missing.