Write and maintain Architecture Decision Records (ADRs) following best practices for technical decision documentation. Use when documenting significant technical decisions, reviewing past architectural choices, or establishing decision processes.
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---
version: 4.1.0-fractal
name: architecture-decision-records
description: Write and maintain Architecture Decision Records (ADRs) following best practices for technical decision documentation. Use when documenting significant technical decisions, reviewing past architectural choices, or establishing decision processes.
---
# Architecture Decision Records
Comprehensive patterns for creating, maintaining, and managing Architecture Decision Records (ADRs) that capture the context and rationale behind significant technical decisions.
## Use this skill when
- Making significant architectural decisions
- Documenting technology choices
- Recording design trade-offs
- Onboarding new team members
- Reviewing historical decisions
- Establishing decision-making processes
## Do not use this skill when
- You only need to document small implementation details
- The change is a minor patch or routine maintenance
- There is no architectural decision to capture
## Instructions
1. Capture the decision context, constraints, and drivers.
2. Document considered options with tradeoffs.
3. Record the decision, rationale, and consequences.
4. Link related ADRs and update status over time.
## Core Concepts
## 🧠 Knowledge Modules (Fractal Skills)
### 1. [1. What is an ADR?](./sub-skills/1-what-is-an-adr.md)
### 2. [2. When to Write an ADR](./sub-skills/2-when-to-write-an-adr.md)
### 3. [3. ADR Lifecycle](./sub-skills/3-adr-lifecycle.md)
### 4. [Template 1: Standard ADR (MADR Format)](./sub-skills/template-1-standard-adr-madr-format.md)
### 5. [Option 1: PostgreSQL](./sub-skills/option-1-postgresql.md)
### 6. [Option 2: MySQL](./sub-skills/option-2-mysql.md)
### 7. [Option 3: MongoDB](./sub-skills/option-3-mongodb.md)
### 8. [Positive](./sub-skills/positive.md)
### 9. [Negative](./sub-skills/negative.md)
### 10. [Risks](./sub-skills/risks.md)
### 11. [Template 2: Lightweight ADR](./sub-skills/template-2-lightweight-adr.md)
### 12. [Template 3: Y-Statement Format](./sub-skills/template-3-y-statement-format.md)
### 13. [Template 4: ADR for Deprecation](./sub-skills/template-4-adr-for-deprecation.md)
### 14. [Positive](./sub-skills/positive.md)
### 15. [Negative](./sub-skills/negative.md)
### 16. [Template 5: Request for Comments (RFC) Style](./sub-skills/template-5-request-for-comments-rfc-style.md)
### 17. [Event Store](./sub-skills/event-store.md)
### 18. [Projections](./sub-skills/projections.md)
### 19. [Technology](./sub-skills/technology.md)
### 20. [Directory Structure](./sub-skills/directory-structure.md)
### 21. [ADR Index (README.md)](./sub-skills/adr-index-readmemd.md)
### 22. [Automation (adr-tools)](./sub-skills/automation-adr-tools.md)
### 23. [Before Submission](./sub-skills/before-submission.md)
### 24. [During Review](./sub-skills/during-review.md)
### 25. [After Acceptance](./sub-skills/after-acceptance.md)
### 26. [Do's](./sub-skills/dos.md)
### 27. [Don'ts](./sub-skills/donts.md)
