Architectural decision-making framework. Requirements analysis, trade-off evaluation, ADR documentation. Use when making architecture decisions or analyzing system design.
Install with the open skills CLI (global, non-interactive — available in every Claude Code session):
npx skills add davila7/claude-code-templates --skill "architecture" -g -a claude-code -yOr manually — clone and copy the skill directory (SKILL.md + companion files):
git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/davila7/claude-code-templates /tmp/claude-code-templates && cp -r /tmp/claude-code-templates/cli-tool/components/skills/development/architecture ~/.claude/skills/architecture-davila7This skill is a directory: SKILL.md is the entry point; the files below ship with it.
---
name: architecture
description: Architectural decision-making framework. Requirements analysis, trade-off evaluation, ADR documentation. Use when making architecture decisions or analyzing system design.
allowed-tools: Read, Glob, Grep
---
# 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
You MUST use this before any creative work - creating features, building components, adding functionality, or modifying behavior. Explores user intent, requirements and design before implementation.
Use when you have a written implementation plan to execute in a separate session with review checkpoints
Use when executing implementation plans with independent tasks in the current session