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Writing40k · #5077

create-architectural-decision-record

Helps your agent create a record of important decisions about a project's architecture. This ensures decisions are documented and easy to understand.

What it does

This tool creates a document called an Architectural Decision Record (ADR). It's used to record important decisions about how a software project should be built, explaining the problem, the chosen solution, and why other options were rejected.

When to use it

  • ✓When deciding which database to use for a new project.
  • ✓When choosing a new technology to implement a feature.
  • ✓When documenting a significant change to the structure of an existing system.

Example of what to ask your AI

“Create an architectural decision record for the choice of the main database, considering scalability and cost context.”

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/create-architectural-decision-record/SKILL.md

Ready-to-paste message

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

You provide information about the problem (context), the decision made, the alternatives considered, and who is involved. The tool organizes all of this into a standard format, including pros and cons, so the decision is clear and easy to refer back to.

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 create-architectural-decision-record

Or download just the file:

curl -L https://raw.githubusercontent.com/github/awesome-copilot/main/skills/create-architectural-decision-record/SKILL.md -o SKILL.md
Technical content (original SKILL.md)

Original text by the author, straight from GitHub.

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]
FAQ

What is an ADR?

ADR stands for 'Architectural Decision Record', a document that records important decisions about a software project's architecture.

Why use codes like POS-001 or NEG-001?

These codes help organize information clearly and allow computer tools to understand and process the document more easily, in addition to facilitating reference to specific points.

Where is the document saved?

The document is saved in a folder named `/docs/adr/` with a filename that includes a sequential number and a summary of the decision title.

Details

Original description by the author

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

repo: github/awesome-copilot

Popularity

GitHub stars
40k
Ranking position
#5077
License
MIT
Updated
10/15/2026

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