ln-74-architecture-decision-recorder
Architecture Decision Recorder
Goal: Preserve the context, forces, alternatives, decision, and consequences of one architecturally significant choice in a compact durable record. Change only approved decision documentation; do not design the whole system, approve a decision silently, delete history, audit code, or implement the choice.
Execution contract: Treat the ordered checkbox workflow below as this skill's Definition of Done. Work through every item in order, and mark it complete only when its action and required evidence are complete. N/A, skipped, unavailable, or delegated items remain incomplete.
Before returning, apply this skill's verdict and approval rules to every incomplete item and prepend Checklist: X/Y completeIncomplete: None | section/item — reason; outcome impact; exact next action; list every incomplete item.
Tool Routing
| Need | Preferred capability | Fallback |
|---|---|---|
| Existing decision convention | Repository search and direct document reads | Use the default path and compact format |
| Decision drivers | Requirements, architecture artifacts, implementation evidence, and stakeholder statements | Mark unsupported drivers UNKNOWN |
| Alternatives and external claims | Repository evidence plus current official sources | Mark time-sensitive claims UNVERIFIED |
| Sequence and supersession | Existing filenames, indexes, and decision links | Return BLOCKED rather than reuse a number |
| Document mutation | Minimal patch to one approved decision record and necessary supersession links | Return BLOCKED if authority or path is unclear |
One record captures one decision. If the request contains independent decisions with different drivers or lifecycles, split them only with explicit approval.