Architecture Design Skill

When to Invoke

• Says "How should we build this?", "What's the architecture?"
• Asks "Tech stack?", "System design?", "How to architect?"
• Mentions "architecture", "technical decisions", "stack"
• PRD and epics are approved (Phase 3)
• Uses words like: architecture, tech stack, design, system, build, technical

• "How should we build this?"
• "What's the architecture?"
• "Choose tech stack"
• "System design for [project]"
• "Technical architecture"
• "How to architect [feature]"

• PRD exists and approved
• Epics defined

• PRD not ready (use bmad-product-planning first)
• Already have architecture (skip to stories)
• Simple Level 0-1 project (may not need formal architecture)

Mission

Inputs Required

• prd: latest PRD plus epic roadmap from product-requirements skill
• constraints: non-functional requirements, compliance rules, and integrations
• existing_assets: repositories, current architecture diagrams, or technology standards
• project_level: BMAD level sizing to guide depth of design

Outputs

• ARCHITECTURE.md

  written using

  assets/decision-architecture-template.md.template

• Updated risk and decision log entries summarized for stakeholders

Process

1. Validate prerequisites via

   CHECKLIST.md

   and confirm planning artifacts are approved.
2. Identify architecture drivers (quality attributes, constraints, integrations).
3. Design component topology, data flows, and technology selections with traceability to requirements.
4. Record key decisions, alternatives, and mitigation strategies.
5. Generate or update architecture artifact using

   scripts/generate_architecture.py

   if structured data is available.
6. Review the quality checklist and publish summary plus follow-up actions for delivery-planning and development-execution skills.

Quality Gates

CHECKLIST.md

Error Handling

• Cite the specific requirement or assumption causing the conflict.
• Request clarifications from product-requirements, UX, or discovery-analysis skills.
• Recommend holding implementation until resolution is documented.