---
name: neon-postgres
description: "Neon Postgres workflow skill. Use this skill when the user needs Expert patterns for Neon serverless Postgres, branching, connection and the operator should preserve the upstream workflow, copied support files, and provenance before merging or handing off."
version: "0.0.1"
category: backend
tags: ["neon-postgres", "expert", "patterns", "for", "neon", "serverless", "postgres", "branching"]
complexity: advanced
risk: caution
tools: ["codex-cli", "claude-code", "cursor", "gemini-cli", "opencode"]
source: community
author: "sickn33"
date_added: "2026-04-15"
date_updated: "2026-04-25"
---

# Neon Postgres

## Overview

This public intake copy packages `plugins/antigravity-awesome-skills-claude/skills/neon-postgres` from `https://github.com/sickn33/antigravity-awesome-skills` into the native Omni Skills editorial shape without hiding its origin.

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 the `external_source` block in `metadata.json` plus `ORIGIN.md` as the provenance anchor for review.

# Neon Postgres Expert patterns for Neon serverless Postgres, branching, connection pooling, and Prisma/Drizzle integration

Imported source sections that did not map cleanly to the public headings are still preserved below or in the support files. Notable imported sections: Patterns, Sharp Edges, Validation Checks, Collaboration, 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.

- User mentions or implies: neon database
- User mentions or implies: serverless postgres
- User mentions or implies: database branching
- User mentions or implies: neon postgres
- User mentions or implies: postgres serverless
- User mentions or implies: connection pooling

## Operating Table

| Situation | Start here | Why it matters |
| --- | --- | --- |
| First-time use | `metadata.json` | Confirms repository, branch, commit, and imported path through the `external_source` block before touching the copied workflow |
| Provenance review | `ORIGIN.md` | Gives reviewers a plain-language audit trail for the imported source |
| Workflow execution | `SKILL.md` | Starts with the smallest copied file that materially changes execution |
| Supporting context | `SKILL.md` | Adds the next most relevant copied source file without loading the entire package |
| Handoff decision | `## Related Skills` | Helps the operator switch to a stronger native skill when the task drifts |

## 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: Patterns

### Prisma with Neon Connection

Configure Prisma for Neon with connection pooling.

Use two connection strings:
- DATABASE_URL: Pooled connection for Prisma Client
- DIRECT_URL: Direct connection for Prisma Migrate

The pooled connection uses PgBouncer for up to 10K connections.
Direct connection required for migrations (DDL operations).

### Code_example

# .env
# Pooled connection for application queries
DATABASE_URL="postgres://user:password@ep-xxx-pooler.us-east-2.aws.neon.tech/neondb?sslmode=require"
# Direct connection for migrations
DIRECT_URL="postgres://user:password@ep-xxx.us-east-2.aws.neon.tech/neondb?sslmode=require"

// prisma/schema.prisma
generator client {
  provider = "prisma-client-js"
}

datasource db {
  provider  = "postgresql"
  url       = env("DATABASE_URL")
  directUrl = env("DIRECT_URL")
}

model User {
  id        String   @id @default(cuid())
  email     String   @unique
  name      String?
  createdAt DateTime @default(now())
  updatedAt DateTime @updatedAt
}

// lib/prisma.ts
import { PrismaClient } from '@prisma/client';

const globalForPrisma = globalThis as unknown as {
  prisma: PrismaClient | undefined;
};

export const prisma = globalForPrisma.prisma ?? new PrismaClient({
  log: process.env.NODE_ENV === 'development'
    ? ['query', 'error', 'warn']
    : ['error'],
});

if (process.env.NODE_ENV !== 'production') {
  globalForPrisma.prisma = prisma;
}

// Run migrations
// Uses DIRECT_URL automatically
npx prisma migrate dev
npx prisma migrate deploy

### Anti_patterns

- Pattern: Using pooled connection for migrations | Why: DDL operations fail through PgBouncer | Fix: Set directUrl in schema.prisma
- Pattern: Not using connection pooling | Why: Serverless functions exhaust connection limits | Fix: Use -pooler endpoint in DATABASE_URL

### References

- https://neon.com/docs/guides/prisma
- https://www.prisma.io/docs/orm/overview/databases/neon

### Drizzle with Neon Serverless Driver

Use Drizzle ORM with Neon's serverless HTTP driver for
edge/serverless environments.

Two driver options:
- neon-http: Single queries over HTTP (fastest for one-off queries)
- neon-serverless: WebSocket for transactions and sessions

### Code_example

# Install dependencies
npm install drizzle-orm @neondatabase/serverless
npm install -D drizzle-kit

// lib/db/schema.ts
import { pgTable, serial, text, timestamp } from 'drizzle-orm/pg-core';

export const users = pgTable('users', {
  id: serial('id').primaryKey(),
  email: text('email').notNull().unique(),
  name: text('name'),
  createdAt: timestamp('created_at').defaultNow().notNull(),
  updatedAt: timestamp('updated_at').defaultNow().notNull(),
});

// lib/db/index.ts (for serverless - HTTP driver)
import { neon } from '@neondatabase/serverless';
import { drizzle } from 'drizzle-orm/neon-http';
import * as schema from './schema';

const sql = neon(process.env.DATABASE_URL!);
export const db = drizzle(sql, { schema });

// Usage in API route
import { db } from '@/lib/db';
import { users } from '@/lib/db/schema';

export async function GET() {
  const allUsers = await db.select().from(users);
  return Response.json(allUsers);
}

// lib/db/index.ts (for WebSocket - transactions)
import { Pool } from '@neondatabase/serverless';
import { drizzle } from 'drizzle-orm/neon-serverless';
import * as schema from './schema';

const pool = new Pool({ connectionString: process.env.DATABASE_URL });
export const db = drizzle(pool, { schema });

// With transactions
await db.transaction(async (tx) => {
  await tx.insert(users).values({ email: 'test@example.com' });
  await tx.update(users).set({ name: 'Updated' });
});

// drizzle.config.ts
import { defineConfig } from 'drizzle-kit';

export default defineConfig({
  schema: './lib/db/schema.ts',
  out: './drizzle',
  dialect: 'postgresql',
  dbCredentials: {
    url: process.env.DATABASE_URL!,
  },
});

// Run migrations
npx drizzle-kit generate
npx drizzle-kit migrate

### Anti_patterns

- Pattern: Using pg driver in serverless | Why: TCP connections don't work in all edge environments | Fix: Use @neondatabase/serverless driver
- Pattern: HTTP driver for transactions | Why: HTTP driver doesn't support transactions | Fix: Use WebSocket driver (Pool) for transactions

### References

- https://neon.com/docs/guides/drizzle
- https://orm.drizzle.team/docs/connect-neon

### Connection Pooling with PgBouncer

Neon provides built-in connection pooling via PgBouncer.

Key limits:
- Up to 10,000 concurrent connections to pooler
- Connections still consume underlying Postgres connections
- 7 connections reserved for Neon superuser

Use pooled endpoint for application, direct for migrations.

### Code_example

# Connection string formats

# Pooled connection (for application)
# Note: -pooler in hostname
postgres://user:pass@ep-cool-name-pooler.us-east-2.aws.neon.tech/neondb

# Direct connection (for migrations)
# Note: No -pooler
postgres://user:pass@ep-cool-name.us-east-2.aws.neon.tech/neondb

// Prisma with pooling
// prisma/schema.prisma
datasource db {
  provider  = "postgresql"
  url       = env("DATABASE_URL")      // Pooled
  directUrl = env("DIRECT_URL")        // Direct
}

// Connection pool settings for high-traffic
// lib/prisma.ts
import { PrismaClient } from '@prisma/client';

export const prisma = new PrismaClient({
  datasources: {
    db: {
      url: process.env.DATABASE_URL,
    },
  },
  // Connection pool settings
  // Adjust based on compute size
});

// For Drizzle with connection pool
import { Pool } from '@neondatabase/serverless';

const pool = new Pool({
  connectionString: process.env.DATABASE_URL,
  max: 10,  // Max connections in local pool
  idleTimeoutMillis: 30000,
  connectionTimeoutMillis: 10000,
});

// Compute size connection limits
// 0.25 CU: 112 connections (105 available after reserved)
// 0.5 CU: 225 connections
// 1 CU: 450 connections
// 2 CU: 901 connections
// 4 CU: 1802 connections
// 8 CU: 3604 connections

### Anti_patterns

- Pattern: Opening new connection per request | Why: Exhausts connection limits quickly | Fix: Use connection pooling, reuse connections
- Pattern: High max pool size in serverless | Why: Many function instances = many pools = many connections | Fix: Keep local pool size low (5-10), rely on PgBouncer

### References

- https://neon.com/docs/connect/connection-pooling

### Database Branching for Development

Create instant copies of your database for development,
testing, and preview environments.

Branches share underlying storage (copy-on-write),
making them instant and cost-effective.

### Code_example

# Create branch via Neon CLI
neon branches create --name feature/new-feature --parent main

# Create branch from specific point in time
neon branches create --name debug/yesterday \
  --parent main \
  --timestamp "2024-01-15T10:00:00Z"

# List branches
neon branches list

# Get connection string for branch
neon connection-string feature/new-feature

# Delete branch when done
neon branches delete feature/new-feature

// In CI/CD (GitHub Actions)
// .github/workflows/preview.yml
name: Preview Environment
on:
  pull_request:
    types: [opened, synchronize]

jobs:
  create-branch:
    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
    steps:
      - uses: neondatabase/create-branch-action@v5
        id: create-branch
        with:
          project_id: ${{ secrets.NEON_PROJECT_ID }}
          branch_name: preview/pr-${{ github.event.pull_request.number }}
          api_key: ${{ secrets.NEON_API_KEY }}
          username: ${{ secrets.NEON_ROLE_NAME }}

      - name: Run migrations
        env:
          DATABASE_URL: ${{ steps.create-branch.outputs.db_url_with_pooler }}
        run: npx prisma migrate deploy

      - name: Deploy to Vercel
        env:
          DATABASE_URL: ${{ steps.create-branch.outputs.db_url_with_pooler }}
        run: vercel deploy --prebuilt

// Cleanup on PR close
on:
  pull_request:
    types: [closed]

jobs:
  delete-branch:
    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
    steps:
      - uses: neondatabase/delete-branch-action@v3
        with:
          project_id: ${{ secrets.NEON_PROJECT_ID }}
          branch: preview/pr-${{ github.event.pull_request.number }}
          api_key: ${{ secrets.NEON_API_KEY }}

### Anti_patterns

- Pattern: Sharing production database for development | Why: Risk of data corruption, no isolation | Fix: Create development branches from production
- Pattern: Not cleaning up old branches | Why: Accumulates storage and clutter | Fix: Auto-delete branches on PR close

### References

- https://neon.com/blog/branching-with-preview-environments
- https://github.com/neondatabase/create-branch-action

### Vercel Preview Environment Integration

Automatically create database branches for Vercel preview
deployments. Each PR gets its own isolated database.

Two integration options:
- Vercel-Managed: Billing in Vercel, auto-setup
- Neon-Managed: Billing in Neon, more control

### Code_example

# Vercel-Managed Integration
# 1. Go to Vercel Dashboard > Storage > Create Database
# 2. Select Neon Postgres
# 3. Enable "Create a branch for each preview deployment"
# 4. Environment variables automatically injected

# Neon-Managed Integration
# 1. Install from Neon Dashboard > Integrations > Vercel
# 2. Select Vercel project to connect
# 3. Enable "Create a branch for each preview deployment"
# 4. Optionally enable auto-delete on branch delete

// vercel.json - Add migration to build
{
  "buildCommand": "prisma migrate deploy && next build",
  "framework": "nextjs"
}

// Or in package.json
{
  "scripts": {
    "vercel-build": "prisma generate && prisma migrate deploy && next build"
  }
}

// Environment variables injected by integration
// DATABASE_URL - Pooled connection for preview branch
// DATABASE_URL_UNPOOLED - Direct connection for migrations
// PGHOST, PGUSER, PGDATABASE, PGPASSWORD - Individual vars

// Prisma schema for Vercel integration
datasource db {
  provider  = "postgresql"
  url       = env("DATABASE_URL")
  directUrl = env("DATABASE_URL_UNPOOLED")  // Vercel variable
}

// For Drizzle in Next.js on Vercel
import { neon } from '@neondatabase/serverless';
import { drizzle } from 'drizzle-orm/neon-http';

// Use pooled URL for queries
const sql = neon(process.env.DATABASE_URL!);
export const db = drizzle(sql);

### Anti_patterns

- Pattern: Same database for all previews | Why: Previews interfere with each other | Fix: Enable branch-per-preview in integration
- Pattern: Not running migrations on preview | Why: Schema mismatch between code and database | Fix: Add migrate command to build step

### References

- https://neon.com/docs/guides/vercel-managed-integration
- https://neon.com/docs/guides/neon-managed-vercel-integration

### Autoscaling and Cold Start Management

Neon autoscales compute resources and scales to zero.

Cold start latency: 500ms - few seconds when waking from idle.
Production recommendation: Disable scale-to-zero, set minimum compute.

### Code_example

# Neon Console settings for production
# Project Settings > Compute > Default compute size
# - Set minimum to 0.5 CU or higher
# - Disable "Suspend compute after inactivity"

// Handle cold starts in application
// lib/db-with-retry.ts
import { prisma } from './prisma';

const MAX_RETRIES = 3;
const RETRY_DELAY = 1000;

export async function queryWithRetry<T>(
  query: () => Promise<T>
): Promise<T> {
  let lastError: Error | undefined;

  for (let attempt = 1; attempt <= MAX_RETRIES; attempt++) {
    try {
      return await query();
    } catch (error) {
      lastError = error as Error;

      // Retry on connection errors (cold start)
      if (error.code === 'P1001' || error.code === 'P1002') {
        console.log(`Retry attempt ${attempt}/${MAX_RETRIES}`);
        await new Promise(r => setTimeout(r, RETRY_DELAY * attempt));
        continue;
      }

      throw error;
    }
  }

  throw lastError;
}

// Usage
const users = await queryWithRetry(() =>
  prisma.user.findMany()
);

// Reduce cold start latency with SSL direct negotiation
# PostgreSQL 17+ connection string
postgres://user:pass@ep-xxx-pooler.aws.neon.tech/db?sslmode=require&sslnegotiation=direct

// Keep-alive for long-running apps
// lib/db-keepalive.ts
import { prisma } from './prisma';

// Ping database every 4 minutes to prevent suspend
const KEEPALIVE_INTERVAL = 4 * 60 * 1000;

if (process.env.NEON_KEEPALIVE === 'true') {
  setInterval(async () => {
    try {
      await prisma.$queryRaw`SELECT 1`;
    } catch (error) {
      console.error('Keepalive failed:', error);
    }
  }, KEEPALIVE_INTERVAL);
}

// Compute sizing recommendations
// Development: 0.25 CU, scale-to-zero enabled
// Staging: 0.5 CU, scale-to-zero enabled
// Production: 1+ CU, scale-to-zero DISABLED
// High-traffic: 2-4 CU minimum, autoscaling enabled

### Anti_patterns

- Pattern: Scale-to-zero in production | Why: Cold starts add 500ms+ latency to first request | Fix: Disable scale-to-zero for production branch
- Pattern: No retry logic for cold starts | Why: First connection after idle may timeout | Fix: Add retry with exponential backoff

### References

- https://neon.com/blog/scaling-serverless-postgres
- https://neon.com/docs/connect/connection-latency

## Examples

### Example 1: Ask for the upstream workflow directly

```text
Use @neon-postgres 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

```text
Review @neon-postgres 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

```text
Use @neon-postgres 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

```text
Review @neon-postgres 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.

- Keep the imported skill grounded in the upstream repository; do not invent steps that the source material cannot support.
- Prefer the smallest useful set of support files so the workflow stays auditable and fast to review.
- Keep provenance, source commit, and imported file paths visible in notes and PR descriptions.
- Point directly at the copied upstream files that justify the workflow instead of relying on generic review boilerplate.
- Treat generated examples as scaffolding; adapt them to the concrete task before execution.
- Route to a stronger native skill when architecture, debugging, design, or security concerns become dominant.



## 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/neon-postgres`, fails to mention provenance, or does not use any copied source files at all.
**Solution:** Re-open `metadata.json`, `ORIGIN.md`, and the most relevant copied upstream files. Check the `external_source` block first, then restate the provenance before continuing.

### Problem: The imported workflow feels incomplete during review

**Symptoms:** Reviewers can see the generated `SKILL.md`, but they cannot quickly tell which references, examples, or scripts matter for the current task.
**Solution:** Point at the exact copied references, examples, scripts, or assets that justify the path you took. If the gap is still real, record it in the PR instead of hiding it.

### 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

- `@00-andruia-consultant` - Use when the work is better handled by that native specialization after this imported skill establishes context.
- `@00-andruia-consultant-v2` - Use when the work is better handled by that native specialization after this imported skill establishes context.
- `@10-andruia-skill-smith` - Use when the work is better handled by that native specialization after this imported skill establishes context.
- `@10-andruia-skill-smith-v2` - 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.

| Resource family | What it gives the reviewer | Example path |
| --- | --- | --- |
| `references` | copied reference notes, guides, or background material from upstream | `references/n/a` |
| `examples` | worked examples or reusable prompts copied from upstream | `examples/n/a` |
| `scripts` | upstream helper scripts that change execution or validation | `scripts/n/a` |
| `agents` | routing or delegation notes that are genuinely part of the imported package | `agents/n/a` |
| `assets` | supporting assets or schemas copied from the source package | `assets/n/a` |



### Imported Reference Notes

#### Imported: Sharp Edges

### Cold Start Latency After Scale-to-Zero

Severity: HIGH

### Using Pooled Connection for Migrations

Severity: HIGH

### Connection Pool Exhaustion in Serverless

Severity: HIGH

### PgBouncer Feature Limitations

Severity: MEDIUM

### Branch Storage Accumulation

Severity: MEDIUM

### Reserved Connections Reduce Available Pool

Severity: LOW

### HTTP Driver Doesn't Support Transactions

Severity: MEDIUM

### Deleting Parent Branch Affects Children

Severity: HIGH

### Schema Drift Between Branches

Severity: MEDIUM

#### Imported: Validation Checks

### Direct Database URL in Client Code

Severity: ERROR

Direct database URLs should never be exposed to client

Message: Direct URL exposed to client. Only pooled URLs for server-side use.

### Hardcoded Database Connection String

Severity: ERROR

Connection strings should use environment variables

Message: Hardcoded connection string. Use environment variables.

### Missing SSL Mode in Connection String

Severity: WARNING

Neon requires SSL connections

Message: Missing sslmode=require. Add to connection string.

### Prisma Missing directUrl for Migrations

Severity: ERROR

Prisma needs directUrl for migrations through PgBouncer

Message: Using pooled URL without directUrl. Migrations will fail.

### Prisma directUrl Points to Pooler

Severity: ERROR

directUrl should be non-pooled connection

Message: directUrl points to pooler. Use non-pooled endpoint for migrations.

### High Pool Size in Serverless Function

Severity: WARNING

High pool sizes exhaust connections with many function instances

Message: Pool size too high for serverless. Use max: 5-10.

### Creating New Client Per Request

Severity: WARNING

Creating new clients per request wastes connections

Message: Creating client per request. Use connection pool or neon() driver.

### Branch Creation Without Cleanup Strategy

Severity: WARNING

Branches should have cleanup automation

Message: Creating branch without cleanup. Add delete-branch-action to PR close.

### Scale-to-Zero Enabled on Production

Severity: WARNING

Scale-to-zero adds latency in production

Message: Scale-to-zero on production. Disable for low-latency.

### HTTP Driver Used for Transactions

Severity: ERROR

neon() HTTP driver doesn't support transactions

Message: HTTP driver with transaction. Use Pool from @neondatabase/serverless.

#### Imported: Collaboration

### Delegation Triggers

- user needs authentication -> clerk-auth (User table with clerkId column)
- user needs caching -> redis-specialist (Query caching, session storage)
- user needs search -> algolia-search (Full-text search beyond Postgres capabilities)
- user needs analytics -> segment-cdp (Track database events, user actions)
- user needs deployment -> vercel-deployment (Environment variables, preview databases)

#### 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.