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DBOS TypeScript Best Practices

dbos-typescript

Guide for building reliable, fault-tolerant TypeScript applications with DBOS durable workflows. Use when adding DBOS to existing TypeScript code, creating workflows and steps, or using queues for concurrency control.

SKILL.md

Full skill instructions

DBOS TypeScript Best Practices

Guide for building reliable, fault-tolerant TypeScript applications with DBOS durable workflows.

When to Use

Reference these guidelines when:

  • Adding DBOS to existing TypeScript code
  • Creating workflows and steps
  • Using queues for concurrency control
  • Implementing workflow communication (events, messages, streams)
  • Configuring and launching DBOS applications
  • Using DBOSClient from external applications
  • Testing DBOS applications

Rule Categories by Priority

PriorityCategoryImpactPrefix
1LifecycleCRITICALlifecycle-
2WorkflowCRITICALworkflow-
3StepHIGHstep-
4QueueHIGHqueue-
5CommunicationMEDIUMcomm-
6PatternMEDIUMpattern-
7TestingLOW-MEDIUMtest-
8ClientMEDIUMclient-
9AdvancedLOWadvanced-

Critical Rules

Installation

Always install the latest version of DBOS:

npm install @dbos-inc/​dbos-sdk@latest

DBOS Configuration and Launch

A DBOS application MUST configure and launch DBOS before running any workflows:

import { DBOS } from "@dbos-inc/​dbos-sdk";

async function main() {
  DBOS.setConfig({
    name: "my-app",
    systemDatabaseUrl: process.env.DBOS_SYSTEM_DATABASE_URL,
  });
  await DBOS.launch();
  await myWorkflow();
}

main().catch(console.log);

Workflow and Step Structure

Workflows are comprised of steps. Any function performing complex operations or accessing external services must be run as a step using DBOS.runStep:

import { DBOS } from "@dbos-inc/​dbos-sdk";

async function fetchData() {
  return await fetch("https://api.example.com").then(r => r.json());
}

async function myWorkflowFn() {
  const result = await DBOS.runStep(fetchData, { name: "fetchData" });
  return result;
}
const myWorkflow = DBOS.registerWorkflow(myWorkflowFn);

Key Constraints

  • Do NOT call, start, or enqueue workflows from within steps
  • Do NOT use threads or uncontrolled concurrency to start workflows - use DBOS.startWorkflow or queues
  • Workflows MUST be deterministic - non-deterministic operations go in steps
  • Do NOT modify global variables from workflows or steps

How to Use

Read individual rule files for detailed explanations and examples:

references/​lifecycle-config.md
references/​workflow-determinism.md
references/​queue-concurrency.md

References

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.

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