Architecture Decision Record

Architecture decision record (ADR)

An architecture decision record (ADR) is a document that captures an important architecture decision made along with its context and consequences — for software planning, CTO/CIO leadership teamwork, and project management documentation.

Read the guide Browse templates AI skills

New: AI skills for ADRs

Two Claude Code skills ship in the source repository so an AI coding agent can write and maintain ADRs the way this project recommends — see the skills page for what each one does and how to install it.

  • architecture-decision-record-skill

    For anyone writing an ADR in any project: picks a template, names the file, and writes good context/consequences.

  • architecture-decision-record-maintainer-skill

    For maintainers of this repository: how to add a template, example, or tool link, and keep README.md and locales/ in sync.

Explore

  • Guide

    15 sections — what an ADR is, how to start, naming, teamwork, fitness functions, and tools.

  • Templates

    11 ADR templates collected from across the industry, from Nygard to arc42.

  • Examples

    40 worked ADR examples, from choosing a database to a 4-day work week.