Architecture Decision Framework

"Requirements drive architecture. Trade-offs inform decisions. ADRs capture rationale."

🎯 Selective Reading Rule

Read ONLY files relevant to the request! Check the content map, find what you need.

| File | Description | When to Read | |------|-------------|--------------| | context-discovery.md | Questions to ask, project classification | Starting architecture design | | trade-off-analysis.md | ADR templates, trade-off framework | Documenting decisions | | pattern-selection.md | Decision trees, anti-patterns | Choosing patterns | | examples.md | MVP, SaaS, Enterprise examples | Reference implementations | | patterns-reference.md | Quick lookup for patterns | Pattern comparison |

🔗 Related Skills

| Skill | Use For | |-------|---------| | @[skills/database-design] | Database schema design | | @[skills/api-patterns] | API design patterns | | @[skills/deployment-procedures] | Deployment architecture |

Core Principle

"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication."

• Start simple
• Add complexity ONLY when proven necessary
• You can always add patterns later
• Removing complexity is MUCH harder than adding it

Validation Checklist

Before finalizing architecture:

• [ ] Requirements clearly understood
• [ ] Constraints identified
• [ ] Each decision has trade-off analysis
• [ ] Simpler alternatives considered
• [ ] ADRs written for significant decisions
• [ ] Team expertise matches chosen patterns

When to Use

This skill is applicable to execute the workflow or actions described in the overview.

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.