Koan Data Modeling
Core Principle
Entities are aggregates that encapsulate business logic and define clear boundaries. Use lifecycle hooks for invariants, value objects for cohesive data, and navigation helpers for relationships.
Quick Reference
Define Aggregate Boundary
csharp
public class Order : Entity<Order>
{
public string CustomerId { get; set; } = "";
public Money Total { get; private set; } = new(0m, "USD");
public OrderStatus Status { get; private set; } = OrderStatus.Draft;
// Business methods
public void MarkShipped() => Status = OrderStatus.Shipped;
// Navigation helper
public Task<Customer?> GetCustomer(CancellationToken ct = default) =>
Customer.Get(CustomerId, ct);
// Domain query
public static Task<List<Order>> RecentOrders(int days = 7, CancellationToken ct = default) =>
Query(o => o.Created > DateTimeOffset.UtcNow.AddDays(-days), ct);
}
Value Objects
csharp
public record Money(decimal Amount, string Currency);
public record Address(string Street, string City, string State, string Zip);
public class Invoice : Entity<Invoice>
{
public Money Total { get; set; } = new(0m, "USD");
public Address ShippingAddress { get; set; } = new("", "", "", "");
}
Lifecycle Hooks
csharp
public static class ProductLifecycle
{
public static void Configure(EntityLifecycleBuilder<Product> pipeline)
{
pipeline.ProtectAll()
.Allow(p => p.Price, p => p.Description)
.BeforeUpsert(async (ctx, next) =>
{
if (ctx.Entity.Price < 0)
throw new InvalidOperationException("Price cannot be negative");
await next();
})
.AfterLoad(ctx => ctx.Entity.FormattedPrice = $"${ctx.Entity.Price:F2}");
}
}
Relationships
csharp
public class Todo : Entity<Todo>
{
public string UserId { get; set; } = "";
public string? CategoryId { get; set; }
// Navigation helpers
public Task<User?> GetUser(CancellationToken ct = default) =>
User.Get(UserId, ct);
public Task<Category?> GetCategory(CancellationToken ct = default) =>
string.IsNullOrEmpty(CategoryId) ? Task.FromResult<Category?>(null)
: Category.Get(CategoryId, ct);
public Task<List<TodoItem>> GetItems(CancellationToken ct = default) =>
TodoItem.Query(i => i.TodoId == Id, ct);
}
When This Skill Applies
- •✅ Designing domain models
- •✅ Complex entity relationships
- •✅ Business logic encapsulation
- •✅ Data validation patterns
- •✅ Soft deletes and audit trails
- •✅ Entity lifecycle management
Reference Documentation
- •Full Guide:
docs/guides/data-modeling.md - •Entity Patterns:
docs/examples/entity-pattern-recipes.md - •Sample:
samples/S1.Web/(Relationship patterns)