arc42-context

name	arc42-context
description	arc42 template — constraints and context documentation covering sections 1-4 (stakeholders, quality goals, constraints, solution strategy) and supplemental sections (architecture, risks, deployment, glossary). Maps arc42 sections to Artifact Pyramid layers (Canvas→L1, sections 1-4→L2, sections 5-12→L3). Use when the technical-architect profile needs to document system context and constraints.

arc42 Context

arc42 template for documenting system constraints, context, and quality attributes. arc42 supplies the contextual dimension — constraints and quality attributes — that structure views (C4) and decision records (ADRs) alone don't capture.

arc42-to-Pyramid Mapping

arc42 Section	Pyramid Layer	Path
Canvas / Quality tree	L1 (Summary)	01-summary/quality-tree.md
Sections 1-2: Goals, Constraints	L2 (Analysis)	02-analysis/constraints-and-context.md
Section 4: Solution Strategy	L2 (Analysis)	02-analysis/solution-strategy.md
Sections 5-8: Architecture	L3 (Dossiers)	03-dossiers/arc42-supplemental.md
Sections 9-12: Risks, Deployment, Glossary	L3 (Dossiers)	03-dossiers/arc42-supplemental.md

Without arc42, an agent sees the solution but not the boundaries that define what constitutes a valid solution. Sections 1-4 in L2 provide the constraint envelope. Sections 5-12 in L3 provide the detailed implementation context.

Contents

• references/arc42-sections-1-4.md — detailed guidance per section with example tables
• references/arc42-to-pyramid-mapping.md — constraints→L2, Canvas→L1, lean/essential/thorough modes

Canonical Reference

• arc42 — https://arc42.org/
• Magnus Hedemark, "Clanker Technical Architect: First on the Scene with Progressive Disclosure" — https://magnus919.com/2026/05/clanker-technical-architect-first-on-the-scene-with-progressive-disclosure/