| name | spec-loop-write-adr |
| description | Create, update, or supersede architecture decision records under `architecture-decisions/`. Use when the user asks for ADR work or a Spec Loop workflow routes ADR writing. |
Use this skill for ADR writing only.
Before doing that work, read adr-format.md and
apply it.
Read and apply project instructions such as AGENTS.md when present.
This skill writes ADRs. It does not decide by itself whether an ADR
is required. ADR work starts when the User asks for it or when a Spec
Loop workflow routes to it.
The ADR being drafted or updated is the governing artifact for this
skill.
Use the same ADR format whether or not a task artifact also exists.
Mandatory clarification gate
Before drafting or revising the ADR as current truth, check whether
any important open decision remains about the decision, its criteria,
trade-offs, credible options, or the boundaries of the decision.
If yes, create only enough ADR structure to hold the topic and
current evidence safely, then use
spec-loop-clarify-task/SKILL.md
to engage the User before continuing. Do not wait for the user to ask
for clarification explicitly, and do not replace this handoff with
unstructured criteria discussion or brainstorming.
Re-run this gate whenever later ADR drafting exposes a new important
open decision.
Before writing or revising, classify each input item into its proper
section:
Context = pre-decision facts that would still be true under
another credible alternative, such as requirements, constraints,
current-state findings, scope boundaries, and explicit deferrals;
Alternatives = credible competing options;
Analysis = the clarified reasoning, accepted criteria,
trade-offs, option comparisons, and brief rationale for why the
chosen option won; and
Decision = the chosen outcome as a concise TL;DR, including any
explicit deferrals or major retained boundaries that are part of the
outcome.
Treat Analysis as the ADR's authoritative decision-and-rationale
ledger.
Do not repeat an Analysis point elsewhere in decision-and-rationale
form.
When a task artifact exists, use its Research, Analysis, and
other ADR-relevant sections such as Constraints, Design, and,
when relevant, Scenario as the primary ADR inputs. Otherwise use
confirmed chat clarification and other current evidence.