Database observability
Skill nexus-labs-automation/backend-observability/skills/database-observability
Instrument database queries, connection pools, and detect N+1 queriesFrom its SKILL.md
npx -y skills add nexus-labs-automation/backend-observability --skill database-observabilityAssembled from the repository path, not quoted from the project. Check it against their README if it does not work.
One thing to look at
- 2 stars2 stars. Stars are a popularity signal and not a quality one, but at this level it is likely that nobody has read this closely except its author, and you would be relying on your own review.
SKILL.md
1.9 KB, as published. Nobody here has run it
Database Observability
Database is often the bottleneck. Track queries, pools, and patterns.
Query Span Attributes
| Attribute | Example | Required |
|---|---|---|
db.system | postgresql, mysql | Yes |
db.operation | SELECT, INSERT | Yes |
db.name | orders_db | Yes |
db.sql.table | users | Recommended |
db.statement | SELECT * FROM users WHERE id = ? | Parameterized only! |
Connection Pool Metrics (USE)
| Metric | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
db.connections.active | Gauge | In use |
db.connections.idle | Gauge | Available |
db.connections.max | Gauge | Pool limit |
db.connections.wait_count | Counter | Had to wait |
db.connections.wait_duration | Histogram | Wait time |
Issues to Detect
| Issue | Detection | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| N+1 queries | >10 identical queries per request | Use eager loading |
| Slow queries | Duration > p95 threshold | Add indexes, optimize |
| Pool exhaustion | wait_count increasing | Increase pool, fix leaks |
Query Wrapper Pattern
Before: Start span (db.system, db.operation, db.sql.table), start timer
After: Record duration, set db.rows_affected, record errors, end span
Pool Monitor Pattern
Every 10s: Record active, idle, wait_count, wait_duration from pool stats
Anti-Patterns
- Full SQL with values → PII risk, use parameterized only
- No pool metrics → Can't detect saturation
- Missing slow query alerts → Problems go unnoticed
References
references/methodology/use-methodology.mdreferences/platforms/{platform}/database.md