dotnet-backend-patterns

Master C#/.NET backend development patterns for building robust APIs, MCP servers, and enterprise applications. Covers async/await, dependency injection, Entity Framework Core, Dapper, configuration, caching, and testing with xUnit. Use when developing .NET backends, reviewing C# code, or designing API architectures.

Install with Tessl CLI

npx tessl i github:wshobson/agents --skill dotnet-backend-patterns

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Review — 82%

Does it follow best practices?

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Learn more

Evaluation — 85%

Agent success when using this skill

Validation — 10 / 11 Passed

Validation for skill structure

SKILL.md

Review

Evals

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 effectively communicates specific capabilities (APIs, MCP servers, enterprise apps) with concrete technologies (Entity Framework, Dapper, xUnit). It includes an explicit 'Use when...' clause with clear trigger scenarios and uses appropriate third-person voice throughout. The description is well-differentiated from other potential skills through its C#/.NET focus.

Dimension	Reasoning	Score
Specificity	Lists multiple specific concrete actions and technologies: 'building robust APIs, MCP servers, and enterprise applications' plus specific patterns like 'async/await, dependency injection, Entity Framework Core, Dapper, configuration, caching, and testing with xUnit'.	3 / 3
Completeness	Clearly answers both what ('building robust APIs, MCP servers, enterprise applications' with specific patterns) AND when ('Use when developing .NET backends, reviewing C# code, or designing API architectures') with explicit trigger guidance.	3 / 3
Trigger Term Quality	Excellent coverage of natural terms users would say: 'C#', '.NET', 'backend', 'APIs', 'MCP servers', 'async/await', 'dependency injection', 'Entity Framework', 'Dapper', 'xUnit', 'API architectures'. These are terms developers naturally use.	3 / 3
Distinctiveness Conflict Risk	Clear niche focused on C#/.NET backend specifically, with distinct triggers like 'Entity Framework Core', 'Dapper', 'xUnit' that wouldn't conflict with other language-specific skills or frontend skills.	3 / 3
	Total	12 / 12 Passed

Implementation

64%

Reviews the quality of instructions and guidance provided to agents. Good implementation is clear, handles edge cases, and produces reliable results.

This is a comprehensive .NET backend development reference with excellent, executable code examples covering DI, async patterns, data access, caching, and testing. However, it's overly long for a SKILL.md file, lacks clear workflow sequences with validation steps, and includes some explanatory content that Claude already knows. The content would benefit from being split into a concise overview with references to detailed pattern files.

Suggestions

Split detailed sections (Data Access Patterns, Caching Patterns, Testing Patterns) into separate reference files and keep SKILL.md as a concise overview with links

Add explicit workflow sequences with validation checkpoints, e.g., 'After registering services: 1. Build project 2. Run `dotnet run` 3. Verify no DI exceptions at startup'

Remove explanatory comments like '// Scoped: One instance per HTTP request' that explain concepts Claude already knows

Add a decision tree or quick reference for choosing between EF Core vs Dapper, IOptions vs IOptionsSnapshot, etc.

Dimension	Reasoning	Score
Conciseness	The skill is comprehensive but includes some explanatory content Claude already knows (e.g., explaining what Clean Architecture is, basic DI lifetime descriptions). The DO/DON'T lists and Common Pitfalls sections add value but could be more condensed.	2 / 3
Actionability	Excellent executable code examples throughout - complete C# implementations for DI registration, async patterns, EF Core repositories, Dapper queries, caching, and testing. All code is copy-paste ready with proper using statements and realistic patterns.	3 / 3
Workflow Clarity	While individual patterns are well-documented, there's no clear workflow for when to apply which pattern or validation checkpoints. For example, no guidance on verifying DI registration works, or steps to validate cache invalidation is functioning correctly.	2 / 3
Progressive Disclosure	References to external files (assets/service-template.cs, references/ef-core-best-practices.md) are mentioned at the end, but the main content is a monolithic document with 500+ lines. The 'When to Use This Skill' section is helpful, but detailed sections like Testing Patterns could be split into separate files.	2 / 3
	Total	9 / 12 Passed

Validation

90%

Warnings & errors only

Checks the skill against the spec for correct structure and formatting. All validation checks must pass before discovery and implementation can be scored.

Validation — 10 / 11 Passed

Validation for skill structure

Criteria	Description	Result
skill_md_line_count	SKILL.md is long (818 lines); consider splitting into references/ and linking	Warning

	Total	10 / 11 Passed

Reviewed: 3 days ago

Table of Contents

Discovery Implementation Validation

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