gaia-default-tech-stack

name	gaia-default-tech-stack
description	Provides Gaia's default full-stack baseline with React, TypeScript, Redux Toolkit, Tailwind CSS, and shadcn/ui on the frontend plus .NET, EF Core, PostgreSQL, and MCP exposure on the backend. Use it by adopting the documented baseline (versions, scaffolds, references) for any new app or unspecified-stack request, and by declaring the stack explicitly before planning when the request leaves it implicit. Use it when the request or repo leaves stack choice open, when bootstrapping a new application, or when standardizing an existing codebase onto Gaia's preferred platform.
metadata	{"author":"frostaura"}

Gaia Default Tech Stack

Scope and when to use

Use this skill when Gaia needs a concrete default application stack instead of leaving frontend, backend, UI-system, and API-surface choices implicit.

Use this skill when:

• the user did not specify a tech stack for a new application
• an existing repo needs to be standardized onto Gaia's preferred stack
• frontend UI work needs a consistent design-system baseline before feature work
• backend API work needs a default persistence and MCP exposure model

Do not use this skill when:

• the user or repo already mandates a different stack
• the task only needs local implementation details within an existing standard
• architecture still needs to decide whether Gaia's default stack is appropriate

Required inputs

• the user request and any explicit platform constraints
• current repo signals about frontend, backend, database, and API topology
• any migration constraints for existing codebases
• confirmation of whether Gaia defaults are allowed or overridden

Owned outputs

• an explicit default-stack decision when the request leaves it open
• a frontend baseline centered on React, TypeScript, Redux Toolkit, Tailwind, and shadcn/ui
• a backend baseline centered on .NET, EF Core, PostgreSQL, and MCP exposure
• a phase-based modernization path for UI-system standardization

Decision tree

• If the user specified a stack, respect it unless they explicitly ask to standardize on Gaia defaults.
• If the repo already has an approved stack, use this skill only to judge migration or gap-filling work.
• If the request lacks a stack choice, declare Gaia's default stack explicitly before planning or implementation.
• If the frontend lacks a coherent design system, start with the foundation phase before component migration.
• If the backend exposes APIs without MCP coverage, add or plan an MCP server surface instead of treating it as optional.

Core workflow

1. Confirm that Gaia's default stack is actually needed and not overridden.
2. Declare the default frontend and backend baselines explicitly in the plan or architecture artifact.
3. Apply the frontend baseline in phases: foundation first, component migration second, anti-pattern cleanup third.
4. Use standardized shadcn/ui primitives and semantic Tailwind tokens instead of bespoke UI patterns.
5. Keep backend delivery on the latest stable .NET, EF Core, and PostgreSQL baseline unless the repo already says otherwise.
6. Ensure API capabilities are reachable through an MCP server surface, typically an /mcp endpoint.
7. Hand off implementation or validation with the baseline and any approved deviations stated plainly.

Default baseline

• Frontend: latest stable React + TypeScript, Redux Toolkit, Tailwind CSS, shadcn/ui, and a centralized semantic design system
• Backend: latest stable .NET API, EF Core, PostgreSQL, and MCP server exposure for API capabilities
• Delivery rule: standardize incrementally, page by page or component by component, instead of rewriting the full app in one pass

Failure recovery

Failure mode	Recovery	Owner	Escalation
stack already fixed elsewhere	treat Gaia defaults as non-applicable	architect or engineer	document the override
design-system sprawl	return to the foundation phase and token model	engineer	re-plan migration order
backend lacks MCP exposure	add the MCP branch or block completeness claims	engineer or planner	escalate if platform constraints forbid it
migration scope explodes	phase the work more narrowly instead of broad rewrite	planner	route back to process if ownership changed

Anti-patterns

• do not treat Gaia's default stack as a reason to ignore explicit user or repo constraints
• do not migrate the entire UI surface in one unscoped rewrite
• do not keep arbitrary design tokens, spacing, and component patterns after standardization begins
• do not ship HTTP APIs without an MCP exposure plan when Gaia defaults are in effect

Examples

• Good fit: a user asks for a new full-stack app without naming frameworks, so Gaia needs a concrete default baseline.
• Good fit: an existing React app needs a structured migration to shadcn/ui and semantic Tailwind tokens.
• Not a fit: a repo already standardizes on another approved stack and only needs feature work.

References

• Default stack baseline
• Gaia ownership and conventions

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Source: frostaura/ai.toolkit.gaia — distributed by TomeVault.