Architectural Decision Records

Overview

An Architectural Decision Record captures one architecturally significant decision, its rationale, tradeoffs, and consequences. Optimize for future readers reconstructing decision history.

When to Use

Use when creating, updating, reviewing, or explaining an ADR, architecture decision, decision log, tradeoff analysis, rationale, consequences, alternatives, or status.

Do not use ADRs for transient implementation details, meeting notes, or insignificant decisions. If significance is unclear, ask what future maintainers will need to know.

Workflow