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Agents40k · #5039

breakdown-epic-arch

Lets your agent create an initial technical plan for a large project. It's useful for having an overview of the architecture before starting development.

What it does

This tool helps create a detailed technical plan for a large software project (called an 'Epic'). It describes how different parts of the system will work together and which technologies will be used.

When to use it

  • ✓When you have an idea for a new large feature in an application.
  • ✓When planning how to build a new system from scratch.
  • ✓To understand the technical details before starting to code.

Example of what to ask your AI

“Create the technical architecture for the 'Secure User Login' Epic based on this requirements document: [paste document here]”

Want more? Open the sections below.

How to use

The easiest way: copy the message below and paste it into Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor or any AI. It reads the skill and follows the instructions.

Skill link

https://github.com/github/awesome-copilot/blob/main/skills/breakdown-epic-arch/SKILL.md

Ready-to-paste message

Use this skill to help me: https://github.com/github/awesome-copilot/blob/main/skills/breakdown-epic-arch/SKILL.md Read the SKILL.md file at that link and follow its instructions for my task.
How it works

The AI acts as an experienced software architect. It reads your project requirements and uses knowledge of design patterns (like 'domain-driven architecture') and specific technologies (like Docker, TypeScript, Next.js) to generate a technical plan.

Installation

Easiest way: copy the skill link and paste it into Claude, ChatGPT or Cursor asking it to follow the instructions.

In the terminal (Claude Code, Codex, Cursor), in your project folder:

npx skills add github/awesome-copilot --skill breakdown-epic-arch

Or download just the file:

curl -L https://raw.githubusercontent.com/github/awesome-copilot/main/skills/breakdown-epic-arch/SKILL.md -o SKILL.md
Technical content (original SKILL.md)

Original text by the author, straight from GitHub.

Epic Architecture Specification Prompt

Goal

Act as a Senior Software Architect. Your task is to take an Epic PRD and create a high-level technical architecture specification. This document will guide the development of the epic, outlining the major components, features, and technical enablers required.

Context Considerations

  • The Epic PRD from the Product Manager.
  • Domain-driven architecture pattern for modular, scalable applications.
  • Self-hosted and SaaS deployment requirements.
  • Docker containerization for all services.
  • TypeScript/Next.js stack with App Router.
  • Turborepo monorepo patterns.
  • tRPC for type-safe APIs.
  • Stack Auth for authentication.

Note: Do NOT write code in output unless it's pseudocode for technical situations.

Output Format

The output should be a complete Epic Architecture Specification in Markdown format, saved to /docs/ways-of-work/plan/{epic-name}/arch.md.

Specification Structure

1. Epic Architecture Overview

  • A brief summary of the technical approach for the epic.

2. System Architecture Diagram

Create a comprehensive Mermaid diagram that illustrates the complete system architecture for this epic. The diagram should include:

  • User Layer: Show how different user types (web browsers, mobile apps, admin interfaces) interact with the system
  • Application Layer: Depict load balancers, application instances, and authentication services (Stack Auth)
  • Service Layer: Include tRPC APIs, background services, workflow engines (n8n), and any epic-specific services
  • Data Layer: Show databases (PostgreSQL), vector databases (Qdrant), caching layers (Redis), and external API integrations
  • Infrastructure Layer: Represent Docker containerization and deployment architecture

Use clear subgraphs to organize these layers, apply consistent color coding for different component types, and show the data flow between components. Include both synchronous request paths and asynchronous processing flows where relevant to the epic.

3. High-Level Features & Technical Enablers

  • A list of the high-level features to be built.
  • A list of technical enablers (e.g., new services, libraries, infrastructure) required to support the features.

4. Technology Stack

  • A list of the key technologies, frameworks, and libraries to be used.

5. Technical Value

  • Estimate the technical value (e.g., High, Medium, Low) with a brief justification.

6. T-Shirt Size Estimate

  • Provide a high-level t-shirt size estimate for the epic (e.g., S, M, L, XL).

Context Template

  • Epic PRD: [The content of the Epic PRD markdown file]
FAQ

What is an 'Epic'?

An 'Epic' is a term used in software development to describe a large feature or project that needs to be broken down into smaller parts to be built.

What is 'Domain-driven architecture'?

It's a way of organizing a program's code by thinking about business 'domains' or areas, making the system easier to understand and grow.

What are 'Docker containers'?

They are like isolated packages containing everything a program needs to run (code, libraries, etc.), ensuring it works the same way everywhere.

Details

Original description by the author

Prompt for creating the high-level technical architecture for an Epic, based on a Product Requirements Document.

repo: github/awesome-copilot

Popularity

GitHub stars
40k
Ranking position
#5039
License
MIT
Updated
10/15/2026

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