---

name: supabase description: > Implement Supabase database patterns for PhotoVault including RLS policies, TypeScript queries, and storage operations. Use when working with database schemas, Row Level Security, migrations, storage buckets, auth.uid() policies, or debugging empty query results. Includes PhotoVault table structure and client setup patterns.

⚠️ MANDATORY WORKFLOW - DO NOT SKIP

When this skill activates, you MUST follow the expert workflow before writing any code:

1. Spawn Domain Expert using the Task tool with this prompt:

   CopyRead the expert prompt at: C:\Users\natha\Stone-Fence-Brain\VENTURES\PhotoVault\claude\experts\supabase-expert.md
   
   Then research the codebase and write an implementation plan to: docs/claude/plans/supabase-[task-name]-plan.md
   
   Task: [describe the user's request]
   

2. Spawn QA Critic after expert returns, using Task tool:

   CopyRead the QA critic prompt at: C:\Users\natha\Stone-Fence-Brain\VENTURES\PhotoVault\claude\experts\qa-critic-expert.md
   
   Review the plan at: docs/claude/plans/supabase-[task-name]-plan.md
   Write critique to: docs/claude/plans/supabase-[task-name]-critique.md
   

3. Present BOTH plan and critique to user - wait for approval before implementing

DO NOT read files and start coding. DO NOT rationalize that "this is simple." Follow the workflow.

---

Supabase Integration

Core Principles

RLS First, Always

Row Level Security is not optional. Every table in the public schema MUST have RLS enabled.

CopyALTER TABLE your_table ENABLE ROW LEVEL SECURITY;

Key insight: Once RLS is enabled with no policies, the table is completely locked down. You then selectively grant access.

Type Safety is Non-Negotiable

Copynpx supabase gen types typescript --project-id <project-id> > src/types/supabase.ts

Copyimport { createClient } from '@supabase/supabase-js'
import { Database } from '@/types/supabase'

const supabase = createClient<Database>(url, key)

Understand Your Three Clients

Never use the admin client for user-facing operations.

Anti-Patterns

RLS Mistakes

Not wrapping auth.uid() for performance

Copy-- WRONG: Calls auth.uid() for every row
CREATE POLICY "slow_policy" ON posts
FOR SELECT USING (auth.uid() = user_id);

-- RIGHT: Caches auth.uid() per statement
CREATE POLICY "fast_policy" ON posts
FOR SELECT USING ((SELECT auth.uid()) = user_id);

Permissive policies without thinking

Copy-- WRONG: ALL authenticated users see ALL rows
CREATE POLICY "bad_policy" ON posts
FOR SELECT TO authenticated
USING (true);

Query Mistakes

Not handling join result types correctly

Copy// WRONG: Assuming joins always return arrays
const client = gallery.clients[0]

// RIGHT: Check the type
const clientData = gallery.clients
const client = Array.isArray(clientData) ? clientData[0] : clientData

Not using .single() or .maybeSingle() appropriately

Copy// WRONG: Returns array when you expect one item
const { data } = await supabase.from('users').select().eq('id', id)

// RIGHT: Use .single() for guaranteed single row
const { data } = await supabase.from('users').select().eq('id', id).single()

// RIGHT: Use .maybeSingle() when row might not exist
const { data } = await supabase.from('users').select().eq('email', email).maybeSingle()

RLS Policy Patterns

Users own their data

CopyCREATE POLICY "users_own_data" ON user_data
FOR ALL TO authenticated
USING ((SELECT auth.uid()) = user_id)
WITH CHECK ((SELECT auth.uid()) = user_id);

Photographer → Client relationship (PhotoVault pattern)

CopyCREATE POLICY "photographer_sees_clients" ON clients
FOR SELECT TO authenticated
USING (
  photographer_id IN (
    SELECT id FROM photographers
    WHERE user_id = (SELECT auth.uid())
  )
);

CREATE POLICY "client_own_data" ON clients
FOR SELECT TO authenticated
USING (user_id = (SELECT auth.uid()));

Role-based access

CopyCREATE POLICY "admin_only" ON admin_settings
FOR ALL TO authenticated
USING (
  EXISTS (
    SELECT 1 FROM user_profiles
    WHERE user_id = (SELECT auth.uid())
    AND role = 'admin'
  )
);

TypeScript Query Patterns

Fetch with joins

Copyasync function getGalleryWithDetails(galleryId: string) {
  const { data, error } = await supabase
    .from('photo_galleries')
    .select(`
      *,
      clients (id, name, email),
      gallery_photos (id, filename, thumbnail_url, original_url)
    `)
    .eq('id', galleryId)
    .single()

  if (error) throw error
  if (!data) return null

  const client = Array.isArray(data.clients)
    ? data.clients[0]
    : data.clients

  return { ...data, client, photos: data.gallery_photos ?? [] }
}

PhotoVault Configuration

Key Tables

Client Setup

Copy// Browser client (client components)
import { createBrowserClient } from '@supabase/ssr'
import { Database } from '@/types/supabase'

export function createClient() {
  return createBrowserClient<Database>(
    process.env.NEXT_PUBLIC_SUPABASE_URL!,
    process.env.NEXT_PUBLIC_SUPABASE_ANON_KEY!
  )
}

// Server client (server components, API routes)
import { createServerClient } from '@supabase/ssr'
import { cookies } from 'next/headers'

export async function createServerSupabaseClient() {
  const cookieStore = await cookies()
  return createServerClient<Database>(
    process.env.NEXT_PUBLIC_SUPABASE_URL!,
    process.env.NEXT_PUBLIC_SUPABASE_ANON_KEY!,
    {
      cookies: {
        getAll() { return cookieStore.getAll() },
        setAll(cookiesToSet) {
          cookiesToSet.forEach(({ name, value, options }) =>
            cookieStore.set(name, value, options)
          )
        },
      },
    }
  )
}

// Admin client (webhooks, cron - BYPASSES RLS)
import { createClient } from '@supabase/supabase-js'

export function createAdminClient() {
  return createClient<Database>(
    process.env.NEXT_PUBLIC_SUPABASE_URL!,
    process.env.SUPABASE_SERVICE_ROLE_KEY!
  )
}

Known PhotoVault Gotchas

1. Primary gallery table is photo_galleries (not galleries)
2. Join results: Single relations return objects, not arrays - always check Array.isArray()
3. Photo URLs: Some photos may be missing original_url - fall back to thumbnail_url
4. User types: Stored in user_profiles.user_type as 'photographer', 'client', or 'admin'

Debugging Checklist

1. Is RLS enabled? Check in Supabase Dashboard → Table → RLS toggle
2. Are there policies? Check Authentication → Policies
3. Is the user authenticated? Check auth.uid() is not null
4. Does the policy match? Test in SQL Editor with SET ROLE authenticated
5. Are you using the right client? Browser vs Server vs Admin
6. Check the Supabase logs for policy violations

Test RLS in SQL Editor:

CopySELECT set_config('request.jwt.claims', '{"sub": "user-uuid-here"}', true);
SET ROLE authenticated;
SELECT * FROM your_table;
RESET ROLE;