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.