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ZICQ

Skills ZICQ category:Documents create-architectural-decision-record

Create Architectural Decision Record

Create an Architectural Decision Record (ADR) document for AI-optimized decision documentation.

10169 installs

Official URL:skills.sh

What this skill does

Intro in this page language first. The official description stays in its original wording; we do not rewrite SKILL.md.

What it does

Create an Architectural Decision Record (ADR) document for AI-optimized decision documentation.

When to use it

The official description does not include a separate “Use when”. Per the spec, agents activate this skill when the task matches keywords in that description.

How agents load it

Per Agent Skills progressive disclosure: name and description load at startup (~100 tokens); the full SKILL.md body loads when the skill activates; scripts/, references/, and assets/ load only as needed. This file's sections: Create Architectural Decision Record; Inputs; Input Validation; Requirements; Required Documentation Structure; ADR-NNNN: [Decision Title].

File analysis

File analysis: instruction-only skill (SKILL.md). The agent loads the full body when activated.

Create Architectural Decision RecordInputsInput ValidationRequirementsRequired Documentation StructureADR-NNNN: [Decision Title]StatusContextDecisionConsequencesPositiveNegative

Source category:skills.sh agent-skill

SKILL.md & Agent activation

Official spec ↗
name
create-architectural-decision-record
description
Create an Architectural Decision Record (ADR) document for AI-optimized decision documentation.
  1. DiscoverThe client exposes names and descriptions to the agent.
  2. ActivateYour request or the task context selects the skill and loads its instructions.
  3. Load resourcesReferenced scripts, documentation and assets are used when needed.

Invocation syntax and available tools depend on your Agent client. Client integration guide ↗

Install this skill

Skills CLI ↗

Choose the target agent and installation scope, keep referenced package files, then verify the skill appears in the client's catalog.

Ask your Agent to install

Copy these instructions to a compatible agent and confirm the target directory matches your client.

Install the agent skill "create-architectural-decision-record" into my project. The full SKILL.md and official description are at https://zicq.com/en/skills/skl-fa8a138ca37d3b7f-Create-Architectural-Decision-Record.html
Save it as .cursor/skills/create-architectural-decision-record/SKILL.md or .claude/skills/create-architectural-decision-record/SKILL.md and keep the frontmatter name and description exactly as-is.

Full package on GitHub ↗

Install from the terminal · Skills CLI

Requires Node.js and npx. First inspect the repository's skill list to confirm the name.

npx skills add 'https://github.com/github/awesome-copilot' --list

npx skills add 'https://github.com/github/awesome-copilot' --skill 'create-architectural-decision-record'

The CLI lets you choose the agent interactively. The default scope is the project; use -g for user scope. Confirm package availability with the discovery command, then use npx skills list to inspect installed skills.

Readable layout

name: create-architectural-decision-record description: 'Create an Architectural Decision Record (ADR) document for AI-optimized decision documentation.'

Create Architectural Decision Record

Create an ADR document for ${input:DecisionTitle} using structured formatting optimized for AI consumption and human readability.

Inputs

  • Context: ${input:Context}
  • Decision: ${input:Decision}
  • Alternatives: ${input:Alternatives}
  • Stakeholders: ${input:Stakeholders}

Input Validation

If any of the required inputs are not provided or cannot be determined from the conversation history, ask the user to provide the missing information before proceeding with ADR generation.

Requirements

  • Use precise, unambiguous language
  • Follow standardized ADR format with front matter
  • Include both positive and negative consequences
  • Document alternatives with rejection rationale
  • Structure for machine parsing and human reference
  • Use coded bullet points (3-4 letter codes + 3-digit numbers) for multi-item sections

The ADR must be saved in the /docs/adr/ directory using the naming convention: adr-NNNN-[title-slug].md, where NNNN is the next sequential 4-digit number (e.g., adr-0001-database-selection.md).

Required Documentation Structure

The documentation file must follow the template below, ensuring that all sections are filled out appropriately. The front matter for the markdown should be structured correctly as per the example following:

---
title: "ADR-NNNN: [Decision Title]"
status: "Proposed"
date: "YYYY-MM-DD"
authors: "[Stakeholder Names/Roles]"
tags: ["architecture", "decision"]
supersedes: ""
superseded_by: ""
---

# ADR-NNNN: [Decision Title]

## Status

**Proposed** | Accepted | Rejected | Superseded | Deprecated

## Context

[Problem statement, technical constraints, business requirements, and environmental factors requiring this decision.]

## Decision

[Chosen solution with clear rationale for selection.]

## Consequences

### Positive

- **POS-001**: [Beneficial outcomes and advantages]
- **POS-002**: [Performance, maintainability, scalability improvements]
- **POS-003**: [Alignment with architectural principles]

### Negative

- **NEG-001**: [Trade-offs, limitations, drawbacks]
- **NEG-002**: [Technical debt or complexity introduced]
- **NEG-003**: [Risks and future challenges]

## Alternatives Considered

### [Alternative 1 Name]

- **ALT-001**: **Description**: [Brief technical description]
- **ALT-002**: **Rejection Reason**: [Why this option was not selected]

### [Alternative 2 Name]

- **ALT-003**: **Description**: [Brief technical description]
- **ALT-004**: **Rejection Reason**: [Why this option was not selected]

## Implementation Notes

- **IMP-001**: [Key implementation considerations]
- **IMP-002**: [Migration or rollout strategy if applicable]
- **IMP-003**: [Monitoring and success criteria]

## References

- **REF-001**: [Related ADRs]
- **REF-002**: [External documentation]
- **REF-003**: [Standards or frameworks referenced]

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