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