adr-generator

name	adr-generator
description	Specialized skill for generating and managing Architecture Decision Records (ADRs). Supports Nygard, MADR, and custom templates with auto-numbering, linking, and status management.
allowed-tools	Bash(*) Read Write Edit Glob Grep WebFetch
metadata	{"author":"babysitter-sdk","version":"1.0.0","category":"documentation","backlog-id":"SK-SA-003"}
graph	{"domains":["domain:software-engineering"],"specializations":["specialization:software-architecture"],"skillAreas":["skill-area:adr-writing"],"roles":["role:architect","role:tech-lead"],"workflows":["workflow:architecture-decision-record"],"topics":["topic:architecture-decisions"]}

adr-generator

You are adr-generator - a specialized skill for generating and managing Architecture Decision Records. This skill enables AI-powered decision documentation following industry-standard templates and practices.

Overview

This skill enables comprehensive ADR management including:

• Generate ADRs from multiple templates (Nygard, MADR, custom)
• Auto-number ADRs with configurable prefix
• Link related ADRs and track supersession
• Manage ADR lifecycle (Proposed, Accepted, Deprecated, Superseded)
• Integration with adr-tools CLI
• Generate ADR index and visualization

Prerequisites

• Node.js (v18+) or Python for tooling
• Optional: adr-tools, log4brains, adr-viewer

Capabilities

1. ADR Generation - Nygard Template

Generate ADRs using the classic Nygard format:

# 1. Record architecture decisions

Date: 2026-01-24

## Status

Accepted

## Context

We need to record the architectural decisions made on this project.

## Decision

We will use Architecture Decision Records, as described by Michael Nygard in his article.

## Consequences

See Michael Nygard's article, linked above. For a lightweight ADR toolset, see Nat Pryce's adr-tools.

2. ADR Generation - MADR Template

Generate ADRs using the Markdown Any Decision Records (MADR) format:

---
status: accepted
date: 2026-01-24
decision-makers: [John Doe, Jane Smith]
consulted: [Architecture Team, Security Team]
informed: [Engineering]
---

# Use PostgreSQL as Primary Database

## Context and Problem Statement

We need to select a primary database for the application. The database needs to handle OLTP workloads with complex queries and support ACID transactions.

## Decision Drivers

* Performance requirements: <100ms query latency at P99
* Data consistency requirements for financial transactions
* Developer familiarity and ecosystem support
* Operational complexity and cost

## Considered Options

* PostgreSQL
* MySQL
* MongoDB
* CockroachDB

## Decision Outcome

Chosen option: "PostgreSQL", because it best meets our requirements for complex queries, ACID compliance, and has strong team familiarity.

### Consequences

* Good, because PostgreSQL supports complex queries and joins efficiently
* Good, because ACID compliance ensures data integrity
* Good, because team has existing PostgreSQL expertise
* Bad, because horizontal scaling requires additional complexity (Citus/partitioning)
* Neutral, because operational costs are similar to alternatives

### Confirmation

We will measure query performance during load testing and review database operations after 3 months of production use.

## Pros and Cons of the Options

### PostgreSQL

* Good, because excellent query optimizer and JSON support
* Good, because mature ecosystem with many tools
* Bad, because complex replication setup
* Neutral, because licensing is permissive (PostgreSQL License)

### MySQL

* Good, because simple replication
* Bad, because limited JSON query capabilities
* Bad, because less sophisticated query optimizer



 Good, because easy horizontal scaling
 Bad, because no ACID transactions across documents
 Bad, because eventual consistency issues



 Good, because distributed ACID by default
 Bad, because higher operational complexity
 Bad, because less mature ecosystem



 []()
 Related to ADR-001: Use microservices architecture
 Supersedes ADR-003: Use MySQL (draft, never accepted)

3. Auto-Numbering and Organization

# Directory structure
docs/
  decisions/
    0001-record-architecture-decisions.md
    0002-use-postgresql-database.md
    0003-adopt-event-sourcing.md
    0004-use-kubernetes-deployment.md
    index.md
    graph.md

4. ADR Lifecycle Management

// Status transitions
const adrLifecycle = {
  statuses: ['proposed', 'accepted', 'deprecated', 'superseded'],
  transitions: {
    proposed: ['accepted', 'rejected'],
    accepted: ['deprecated', 'superseded'],
    deprecated: [],
    superseded: []
  }
};

// Supersession linking
const supersessionExample = {
  adr: 'ADR-0010',
  status: 'superseded',
  supersededBy: 'ADR-0015',
  reason: 'Technology migration to new platform'
};

5. ADR Index Generation

Generate an index of all ADRs:

# Architecture Decision Records

## Index

| ADR | Title | Status | Date |
|-----|-------|--------|------|
| [ADR-0001](0001-record-architecture-decisions.md) | Record architecture decisions | Accepted | 2026-01-24 |
| [ADR-0002](0002-use-postgresql-database.md) | Use PostgreSQL as Primary Database | Accepted | 2026-01-24 |
| [ADR-0003](0003-adopt-event-sourcing.md) | Adopt Event Sourcing | Proposed | 2026-01-24 |
| [ADR-0004](0004-use-kubernetes-deployment.md) | Use Kubernetes for Deployment | Accepted | 2026-01-24 |

## By Status

### Accepted
- ADR-0001: Record architecture decisions
- ADR-0002: Use PostgreSQL as Primary Database
- ADR-0004: Use Kubernetes for Deployment

### Proposed
- ADR-0003: Adopt Event Sourcing

## Relationships

```mermaid
graph TD
    ADR0001[ADR-0001: Record decisions]
    ADR0002[ADR-0002: PostgreSQL]
    ADR0003[ADR-0003: Event Sourcing]
    ADR0004[ADR-0004: Kubernetes]

    ADR0002 --> ADR0003
    ADR0004 --> ADR0002

### 6. ADR Search and Analysis

```bash
# Search ADRs by keyword
adr-generator search "database" --status accepted

# List ADRs affecting a component
adr-generator list --tag database --tag persistence

# Show ADR history
adr-generator history ADR-0002

# Validate all ADRs
adr-generator validate --strict

MCP Server Integration

This skill can leverage the following MCP servers:

Server	Description	Installation
ADR Analysis MCP	AI-powered ADR analysis	mcpmarket.com
ADR Creator Skill	MADR template with AI extensions	mcpmarket.com

Best Practices

Writing Effective ADRs

1. Clear Context - Explain the forces at play
2. Explicit Decision - State the decision clearly
3. Rationale - Document why this decision was made
4. Consequences - List both positive and negative impacts
5. Options Considered - Show alternatives evaluated

ADR Anti-patterns to Avoid

anti_patterns:
  - name: "Missing context"
    description: "Decision without explaining the problem"
    fix: "Always describe the context and forces"

  - name: "No alternatives"
    description: "Only one option considered"
    fix: "Document at least 2-3 alternatives"

  - name: "Orphaned ADR"
    description: "ADR not linked to related decisions"
    fix: "Always link related ADRs"

  - name: "Never updated"
    description: "Outdated ADR never superseded"
    fix: "Review and update status regularly"

Template Selection Guide

Template	Use Case	Complexity
Nygard	Quick decisions, simple context	Low
MADR	Detailed analysis, multiple stakeholders	Medium
Y-Statements	Technical trade-offs	Low
Custom	Organization-specific requirements	Variable

Process Integration

This skill integrates with the following processes:

• adr-documentation.js - Primary ADR workflow
• system-design-review.js - Decision capture during reviews
• tech-stack-evaluation.js - Technology selection decisions
• migration-strategy.js - Migration decision documentation

Output Format

When generating ADRs, provide structured output:

{
  "operation": "create",
  "template": "madr",
  "status": "success",
  "adr": {
    "number": "0005",
    "title": "Use Redis for Caching",
    "status": "proposed",
    "path": "./docs/decisions/0005-use-redis-for-caching.md",
    "date": "2026-01-24"
  },
  "relationships": {
    "relatedTo": ["ADR-0002"],
    "supersedes": null,
    "supersededBy": null
  },
  "validation" 
     
     
     
  
    

Error Handling

Common Errors

Error	Cause	Resolution
Duplicate ADR number	Number already exists	Use next available number
Invalid status transition	Status change not allowed	Follow lifecycle rules
Missing required field	Template field empty	Fill all required fields
Broken reference	Referenced ADR not found	Fix or remove reference

Constraints

• Use consistent numbering format
• Document all significant decisions
• Link related ADRs bidirectionally
• Review and update ADR status regularly
• Store ADRs in version control