Guide · Agent skill
How to use the FastAPI Project Templates agent skill
Updated · written with AI from the project's own documentation and checked against our catalogue data
The fastapi-templates skill is a set of instructions and examples that teaches an AI agent a recommended folder layout and coding patterns for building FastAPI web APIs in Python. It covers async database access, dependency injection, authentication setup and pytest-based tests. This guide explains what the skill does, how to install it, how to trigger it, and what to check before you rely on its output.
FastAPI Project Templateswshobson/agents · MIT Download the skill Quick start
- 1Download the skill. Download the fastapi-templates ZIP from this page. It contains SKILL.md and references/details.md.
- 2Unzip into a skills folder. Unzip it into ~/.claude/skills/ for all projects, or into a project's .claude/skills/ folder for one project.
- 3Or upload it in the Claude apps. In the Claude apps, go to Settings → Capabilities → Skills and upload the skill.
- 4Install the Python packages. Install the packages listed in the skill, including FastAPI, SQLAlchemy 2.x, asyncpg if you use PostgreSQL, and pytest with httpx and aiosqlite for tests.
- 5Ask for a new FastAPI backend. Describe the project in plain language, naming FastAPI and your database, so the agent picks up the skill.
- 6Review and run the tests. Check the generated structure and code, especially authentication, then run pytest to confirm the project works.
What the skill makes the agent do
Agent skills are folders of instructions that an AI agent can load when a request matches the skill's description. Once this skill is installed, the agent knows a recommended project structure for FastAPI, separating API routes, core configuration, models, schemas, services and repositories. When you ask it to start a new backend, it can generate a project structure and example code that follows these conventions instead of improvising one.
The skill itself is a set of instructions and examples. It does not create files by running code on its own, so the agent writes the files as part of its normal work in your session.
- Recommended layout with app/api, app/core, app/models, app/schemas, app/services and app/repositories
- Dependency injection with FastAPI's Depends for database sessions, authentication and configuration
- Async route handlers and async database operations
- A test setup using pytest, pytest-asyncio and httpx with an in-memory SQLite test database
Install the fastapi-templates skill
Download the ZIP of the skill from this page. The skill is MIT licensed and contains two files: SKILL.md and references/details.md.
For a personal install that works in every project, unzip the folder into ~/.claude/skills/. To limit it to one project, unzip it into that project's .claude/skills/ folder instead.
You can also upload the skill in the Claude apps by going to Settings → Capabilities → Skills.
- Personal: ~/.claude/skills/ (available across projects)
- Project: .claude/skills/ inside your project folder (available only there)
- Claude apps: Settings → Capabilities → Skills, then upload the skill
Trigger the skill with natural requests
You do not need a special command. The skill's description says it applies when you are building new FastAPI applications or setting up backend API projects, so the agent will usually pick it up when your request is about that kind of work.
Name FastAPI and the kind of project you want. Mention PostgreSQL or SQLite if you have a preference, since the examples cover both.
- "Set up a new FastAPI backend with async PostgreSQL and JWT login."
- "Create a FastAPI project layout with services and repositories separated from routes."
- "Scaffold a FastAPI REST API with pytest tests using an in-memory SQLite database."
What you need before you start
The skill assumes you already have Python and the FastAPI-related packages. The source lists these packages: uvicorn, pydantic-settings, SQLAlchemy 2.x, asyncpg, PyJWT, pwdlib, pytest, pytest-asyncio, httpx and aiosqlite. If you follow the PostgreSQL examples, you also need a PostgreSQL database.
The output is Python backend code. Someone who can run and maintain a Python project needs to run it, install the packages and fix any issues.
- Python
- FastAPI and the packages listed in the skill
- A PostgreSQL database, only if you follow the PostgreSQL examples
# requirements.txt
fastapi
uvicorn[standard]
pydantic-settings
sqlalchemy[asyncio]>=2.0
asyncpg
PyJWT
pwdlib[argon2]
python-multipart
# requirements-dev.txt
pytest
pytest-asyncio
httpx
aiosqliteSafety notes: scripts and network
The skill does not run scripts and does not use the network. It is made of instructions and example code only.
The examples are templates, not finished production systems. Security-sensitive parts such as authentication need careful human review before any deployment. The examples also warn against combining allow_origins=["*"] with allow_credentials=True in CORS settings, because that lets any site make credentialed requests.
- No scripts are run by the skill
- No network use by the skill
- Review authentication, CORS and database settings yourself before deploying
Tips for getting good results
Describe the project's size and needs up front, such as whether it needs login, which database it uses and whether it needs background tasks. The skill's patterns cover these areas, so a clear brief gives the agent a clearer target.
Read the generated structure against the recommended layout and run the tests before you build on top of it. The test example uses a sqlite+aiosqlite in-memory database and an ASGI transport for httpx.
- Name your database (PostgreSQL or SQLite) in the request
- Ask for pytest tests alongside the code
- Check the generated code against the detailed examples in references/details.md when you need more depth
What people use it for
- Starting a new FastAPI REST API with users, items and a consistent folder layout
- Setting up an async PostgreSQL backend using asyncpg and SQLAlchemy 2.x
- Adding pytest tests with pytest-asyncio and httpx to a FastAPI project
- Creating a login route with PyJWT and pwdlib password hashing, reviewed by a developer
- Splitting an existing FastAPI codebase into services, repositories and schemas
Frequently asked questions
How do I install the fastapi-templates skill?
Download the ZIP from this page and unzip it into ~/.claude/skills/ for all projects, or into a project's .claude/skills/ folder for one project. You can also upload it in the Claude apps under Settings → Capabilities → Skills.
What do I need to use the FastAPI templates skill?
You need Python, FastAPI, and the packages the skill lists, including uvicorn, pydantic-settings, SQLAlchemy 2.x, asyncpg, PyJWT, pwdlib, pytest, pytest-asyncio, httpx and aiosqlite. A PostgreSQL database is only needed if you follow the PostgreSQL examples.
Is the fastapi-templates skill free and what is its licence?
The skill is listed under the MIT licence. The source does not state any price, so check the directory page for current terms.
Does the skill run code or access the network?
No. According to the listing, the skill does not run scripts and does not use the network. It consists of instructions and example code that the agent uses to write files.
Can I use this skill for a production app?
The templates are examples, and security-sensitive parts such as authentication need careful human review before deployment. Treat the generated code as a starting point, not a finished production system.
Why isn't my agent using the FastAPI skill?
Check that the skill folder, containing SKILL.md, is in ~/.claude/skills/ or the project's .claude/skills/ folder, or that you uploaded it under Settings → Capabilities → Skills. Then ask a request that clearly mentions building a FastAPI application or backend API project.
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Our verdict
Use this skill if you are a Python developer starting a FastAPI backend and want a consistent layout with services, repositories and schemas, plus async and test patterns. Pick something else if you are not comfortable running Python code, you are not using FastAPI, or you need a security-reviewed production system out of the box.
Download the skill