java-springboot (github/awesome-copilot): a skill for writing and reviewing Spring Boot 3 and 4 code

The java-springboot skill makes Claude write and review code in an existing Spring Boot 3 or 4 project, following fixed rules and five deeper reference guides.

Installs: 21.5K; on skills.sh
Stars: 40.7K; on GitHub
Updated: Oct 2026; last repo commit

Before it writes code, the skill has Claude read your build file for the Spring Boot and Java versions, the starters in use, the persistence layer and your naming conventions, and then match them. It never upgrades Spring Boot, Java or dependencies on its own, and it asks before adding infrastructure such as Kafka, RabbitMQ, a cache provider or a new database.

A router in SKILL.md sends Claude to one of five reference guides: data access, REST APIs, messaging and caching, configuration, and AOT and startup. Core rules cover package by feature, constructor injection, DTOs instead of entities, one ProblemDetail error handler, Jackson 2 versus 3 and a slice-test gotcha. It finishes by running your own build with ./mvnw verify or ./gradlew build.

It is for existing projects. To scaffold a new project, SKILL.md points to a different skill, create-spring-boot-java-project.

Good for

Java developers adding features to an existing Spring Boot project
Teams reviewing controllers, validation, error handling and data access
Developers tuning startup time with AOT, CDS or lazy initialization

Install java-springboot

Claude Code

Copy this prompt.

Install the java-springboot skill in Claude Code. Run this command:

npx skills add https://github.com/github/awesome-copilot --skill java-springboot

Then check that it loaded and tell me how to use it.

2
Paste it into Claude Code. It shows the change and asks before running it.

Requires Node.js.

From its listing on skills.sh. Source.

What's in the skill

When it loads

Get best practices for developing applications with Spring Boot.

Sections in SKILL.md

Project Setup & Structure
Dependency Injection & Components
Configuration
Web Layer (Controllers)
Service Layer
Data Layer (Repositories)
Logging
Testing
Security

Key facts

Author: github/awesome-copilot contributors
License: MIT
Repository: github/awesome-copilot
Installs on skills.sh: 21,506 as of 2026-11-02
GitHub stars: 40,666 as of 2026-11-02
Last repo commit: 2026-10-30
Files in the skill folder: 6 files including SKILL.md (5 reference guides)
skills.sh audits: Gen Agent Trust Hub pass, Socket pass, Snyk pass
Tested versions: Code samples were compiled and run on Spring Boot 4.1.1 and, where they differ, on Boot 3.5.16
Source note: The README says the collection's customizations come from third-party developers and should be inspected before installing

What it includes

Detect versions and conventions, then verify
Reads pom.xml or build.gradle for the Boot and Java versions, starters, persistence and migration tool. Never upgrades implicitly. Asks before adding a broker, cache, database or scheduler.
Read · Before writing code
Spring Data JPA and JDBC
Repositories, projections, pagination, N+1 problems, @Transactional, auditing, Flyway or Liquibase and Spring Data JDBC.
Read · references/data.md
Spring MVC REST APIs
Controllers, validation, ProblemDetail, RestClient, @HttpExchange, API versioning, OpenAPI and JSpecify.
Read · references/rest-api.md
Messaging, caching, scheduling, async
Kafka, AMQP, @Cacheable with Caffeine, @Scheduled, @Async, virtual threads and the outbox pattern. The AMQP section is marked as not verified.
Read · references/messaging-caching.md
Configuration and dev-time services
@ConfigurationProperties records, profiles, config import and secrets, Docker Compose and Testcontainers at dev time.
Read · references/configuration.md
AOT, CDS and startup
Spring AOT processing, native image, Class Data Sharing and Application CDS, and lazy initialization.
Read · references/aot-and-startup.md
Layers, validation, Jackson, slice tests, proxies
Ends with a checklist: versions detected, no new infrastructure without agreement, and the project's build passes with no secrets in code, properties or logs.
Runs code · Core rules and checklist

From the official docs

Permissions

Low risk

Claude edits your Spring Boot code and runs your build, and some guides start Docker containers. Review the diff and the commands before you approve them.

What it can do

Read your data
Create and change things
Delete things
Read-only mode

Watch out for

Runs your project's build and tests
The checklist has Claude run ./mvnw verify or ./gradlew build. Integration tests that use Testcontainers need Docker. These run your project code, as any build does.
Dev-time guides start containers
The configuration guide describes Docker Compose and Testcontainers at dev time, including ./mvnw spring-boot:test-run. Claude should only do this if you ask.
The collection is third-party content
The awesome-copilot README says its customizations are sourced from third-party developers. Read the SKILL.md and references before you install.

Questions

What does the java-springboot skill do?

It makes Claude write and review application code in an existing Spring Boot 3 or 4 project. It matches your versions and conventions, follows fixed rules for layers, validation and errors, and reads deeper guides for data, REST, messaging, configuration and startup.

How do I install it in Claude Code, the Claude app or Codex?

Use the install box above. The awesome-copilot README documents plugin installs for GitHub Copilot CLI and VS Code, and does not document installs for other clients. Check this skill's folder before you copy it.

Does it work for Spring Boot 4 as well as 3?

Yes. SKILL.md covers both, and each reference marks Boot 3 and Boot 4 differences. For a move from Boot 3 to 4 it names a separate skill, spring-boot-4-migration.

Can it scaffold a new project?

No. SKILL.md says to use create-spring-boot-java-project for new projects. This skill is for adding or changing features in an existing one.

Do I need other skills?

No. SKILL.md says that if standalone skills such as java-hibernate-jpa, spring-boot-testing, spring-security, spring-observability, create-spring-boot-java-project and java-add-graalvm-native-image-support are installed, Claude should also use them for their topics. Otherwise it relies on the official docs.

Is it safe to install?

It is Markdown only. Claude does run your build with ./mvnw verify or ./gradlew build, and some guides use Docker for Testcontainers and Docker Compose. The awesome-copilot README warns that its customizations come from third-party developers, so read the files before you install.

Does it change my dependencies?

SKILL.md says it never upgrades Spring Boot, Java or dependencies implicitly and adds only what you request, using the Boot-managed version with no explicit version for BOM-managed artifacts.

Information

updated Nov 2, 2026

Repository: github/awesome-copilot
Folder: skills/java-springboot

github/awesome-copilot skills.sh

Sources

Docs, issue trackers and discussions this page is built from.

Show all 7

SKILL.md · github.com
awesome-copilot README · github.com
configuration.md · github.com
aot-and-startup.md · github.com
data.md · github.com
rest-api.md · github.com
messaging-caching.md · github.com