implementing-database-caching
Process use when you need to implement multi-tier caching to improve database performance. This skill sets up Redis, in-memory caching, and CDN layers to reduce database load. Trigger with phrases like "implement database caching", "add Redis cache layer", "improve query performance with caching", or "reduce database load".
62
75%
Does it follow best practices?
Impact
—
No eval scenarios have been run
Passed
No known issues
Optimize this skill with Tessl
npx tessl skill review --optimize ./plugins/database/database-cache-layer/skills/implementing-database-caching/SKILL.mdQuality
Discovery
100%Based on the skill's description, can an agent find and select it at the right time? Clear, specific descriptions lead to better discovery.
This is a strong skill description that clearly defines its scope (multi-tier caching for database performance), lists specific technologies and actions, and provides explicit trigger phrases. The only minor issue is the awkward phrasing 'Process use when' at the start, which appears to be a grammatical error but doesn't significantly harm discoverability. The description uses appropriate third-person voice and is concise yet comprehensive.
| Dimension | Reasoning | Score |
|---|---|---|
Specificity | Lists multiple specific concrete actions: 'implement multi-tier caching', 'sets up Redis, in-memory caching, and CDN layers', 'reduce database load'. These are concrete, actionable capabilities. | 3 / 3 |
Completeness | Clearly answers both 'what' (sets up Redis, in-memory caching, and CDN layers to reduce database load) and 'when' (explicit trigger phrases and a 'Use when' equivalent at the start). Both are well-defined. | 3 / 3 |
Trigger Term Quality | Includes natural trigger phrases users would actually say: 'implement database caching', 'add Redis cache layer', 'improve query performance with caching', 'reduce database load'. These cover common variations well. | 3 / 3 |
Distinctiveness Conflict Risk | The skill is clearly scoped to multi-tier database caching with specific technologies (Redis, CDN, in-memory caching). This is a distinct niche unlikely to conflict with general database or performance skills. | 3 / 3 |
Total | 12 / 12 Passed |
Implementation
50%Reviews the quality of instructions and guidance provided to agents. Good implementation is clear, handles edge cases, and produces reliable results.
This skill provides solid, substantive guidance on multi-tier caching with good coverage of patterns, TTL strategies, stampede prevention, and error handling. Its main weaknesses are the lack of complete executable code examples in any language (only Redis CLI snippets and pseudocode-level descriptions) and the absence of explicit validation checkpoints in the workflow. The content is reasonably well-organized but could benefit from splitting into a concise overview with supporting reference files.
Suggestions
Add at least one complete, executable cache wrapper implementation (e.g., a Python function using redis-py with cache-aside pattern, stampede prevention, and invalidation) rather than describing what to implement.
Insert explicit validation checkpoints in the workflow, e.g., after step 3 verify cache hit/miss with redis-cli, after step 7 confirm Redis config with INFO command, after step 8 test invalidation before proceeding to metrics.
Extract the error handling table and detailed examples into separate bundle files (e.g., ERRORS.md, EXAMPLES.md) and reference them from the main skill to improve progressive disclosure and reduce the monolithic feel.
Tighten the prerequisites section—remove items Claude can infer (like 'understanding of data freshness requirements') and consolidate to essential tooling only.
| Dimension | Reasoning | Score |
|---|---|---|
Conciseness | The content is mostly efficient but includes some unnecessary verbosity. The overview paragraph restates what the description already covers, the prerequisites section over-explains, and some instructions could be tightened. However, most content is substantive and adds value beyond what Claude would already know. | 2 / 3 |
Actionability | Provides specific Redis commands, configuration values, TTL ranges, and naming conventions, which is good. However, there are no complete, executable code examples—no actual cache wrapper implementation in any language, just descriptions of what to implement and individual Redis CLI commands. The guidance is concrete but not copy-paste ready. | 2 / 3 |
Workflow Clarity | The 10 steps are logically sequenced from profiling through testing, which is good. However, there are no explicit validation checkpoints or feedback loops between steps. For a complex multi-step process involving cache configuration and invalidation logic, the absence of 'verify this works before proceeding' gates is a notable gap. | 2 / 3 |
Progressive Disclosure | The content is well-structured with clear sections (Overview, Instructions, Output, Error Handling, Examples, Resources), but it's a monolithic document with no bundle files. The error handling table and examples sections are substantial and could be split into separate reference files. External links are provided but no internal file references exist. | 2 / 3 |
Total | 8 / 12 Passed |
Validation
81%Checks the skill against the spec for correct structure and formatting. All validation checks must pass before discovery and implementation can be scored.
Validation — 9 / 11 Passed
Validation for skill structure
| Criteria | Description | Result |
|---|---|---|
allowed_tools_field | 'allowed-tools' contains unusual tool name(s) | Warning |
frontmatter_unknown_keys | Unknown frontmatter key(s) found; consider removing or moving to metadata | Warning |
Total | 9 / 11 Passed | |
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