| name | arckit-customize |
| description | Copy plugin templates to project for customization |
You are helping a user customize ArcKit document templates for their project or organization.
User Input
$ARGUMENTS
Overview
ArcKit uses document templates to generate consistent architecture artifacts. Users can customize these templates by copying them to .arckit/templates-custom/. When a template exists in the custom directory, it takes precedence over the default template.
Template locations:
- Defaults:
.arckit/templates/ (shipped with ArcKit, refreshed by arckit init)
- User overrides:
.arckit/templates-custom/ (your customizations, preserved across updates)
Instructions
1. Parse User Request
The user may request:
- List templates: Show all available templates (no arguments or "list")
- Copy specific template: Copy one template (e.g., "requirements", "risk", "adr")
- Copy all templates: Copy all templates ("all")
- Show template info: Explain what a template contains ("info requirements")
2. List Available Templates
If user wants to see available templates, use Glob to find .arckit/templates/*-template.md and .arckit/templates/*-template.html, then extract the template name from each filename (strip the -template.md/.html suffix).
Display as a table:
| Template | Command | Description |
|---|
adr | /skill:arckit-adr | Architecture Decision Records (MADR v4.0) |
analysis-report | /skill:arckit-analyze | Governance quality analysis report |
architecture-diagram | /skill:arckit-diagram | Mermaid architecture diagrams |
architecture-principles | /skill:arckit-principles | Enterprise architecture principles |
architecture-strategy | /skill:arckit-strategy | Executive-level strategy document |
aws-research | /skill:arckit-aws-research | AWS service research findings |
azure-research | /skill:arckit-azure-research | Azure service research findings |
backlog | /skill:arckit-backlog | Product backlog with user stories |
data-mesh-contract | /skill:arckit-data-mesh-contract | Data product contracts |
data-model | /skill:arckit-data-model | Data model with GDPR compliance |
datascout | /skill:arckit-datascout | External data source discovery |
devops | /skill:arckit-devops | DevOps strategy and CI/CD |
dld-review | /skill:arckit-dld-review | Detailed design review |
dos-requirements | /skill:arckit-dos | Digital Outcomes & Specialists |
dpia | /skill:arckit-dpia | Data Protection Impact Assessment |
3. Copy Template(s)
Copy specific template:
- Map the user's short name to the full filename (e.g., "requirements" →
requirements-template.md, "pages" → pages-template.html)
- Use the Read tool to read the source template from
.arckit/templates/{name}-template.{ext}
- Update the origin banner: Before writing, change the
Template Origin line from Official to Custom and add a Based On reference:
- Find:
> **Template Origin**: Official | **ArcKit Version**: [VERSION] | **Command**: `/skill:arckit-{command}`
- Replace with:
> **Template Origin**: Custom | **Based On**: `/skill:arckit-{command}` | **ArcKit Version**: [VERSION]
- Use the Write tool to save it to
.arckit/templates-custom/{name}-template.{ext} (the directory will be created automatically)
- If the source template does not exist, inform the user and suggest running
/skill:arckit-customize list
Copy all templates:
- Use Glob to find all
.arckit/templates/*-template.md and .arckit/templates/*-template.html files
- For each template found, use Read to load it, update the origin banner (change
Template Origin: Official to Template Origin: Custom | Based On: /skill:arckit-{command}), and Write to save it to .arckit/templates-custom/
4. Show Template Info
If user asks about a specific template (e.g., "info requirements"), read and summarize:
- What document it generates
- Key sections included
- UK Government frameworks referenced
- Common customization points
5. Provide Customization Guidance
After copying, explain:
## Template Customization Guide
Your template has been copied to `.arckit/templates-custom/`. You can now customize it.
### How It Works
When you run an ArcKit command (e.g., `/skill:arckit-requirements`):
1. Command checks: Does `.arckit/templates-custom/requirements-template.md` exist?
2. **If YES** → Uses YOUR customized template
3. **If NO** → Uses default from `.arckit/templates/`
### Common Customizations
**Remove UK Government sections** (for non-UK Gov projects):
- Delete "UK Government Alignment" sections
- Remove TCoP, GDS Service Standard references
- Change classification from "OFFICIAL-SENSITIVE" to your scheme
**Change Document Control fields**:
- Add organization-specific fields (Cost Centre, Programme, etc.)
- Remove fields not relevant to your organization
- Change review cycle defaults
**Modify requirement prefixes**:
- Change BR/FR/NFR to your organization's taxonomy
- Update priority levels (MUST/SHOULD/MAY → P1/P2/P3)
**Add organization branding**:
- Add logo placeholder
- Include standard headers/footers
- Add disclaimer text
**Customize the Pages template** (`pages-template.html`):
- Replace GOV.UK Design System CSS with neutral or organization-specific styling
- Change the color palette (header, sidebar, accent colors)
- Remove or rename UK-specific guide categories (e.g., "UK Government" section)
- Adjust the governance dashboard checklist items to match your framework
- Add organization logo or branding to the header
- Modify the footer text and links
When ArcKit CLI updates with new template features:
Default templates in are refreshed by
Your customizations in are
Compare your templates with defaults periodically to adopt new features
To see the current default template, use the Read tool on .
To compare your customization with the default, read both files and compare the content.
To stop using a custom template and revert to default, delete .
Output Summary
After completing the request, show:
## Template Customization Complete ✅
**Action**: [Listed templates / Copied X template(s)]
**Location**: `.arckit/templates-custom/`
**Files**:
- [List of files copied or available]
**Next Steps**:
1. Edit the template(s) in `.arckit/templates-custom/`
2. Run the corresponding `/skill:arckit-*` command
3. Your customized template will be used automatically
**Tip**: Read both the default and your custom template to compare differences.
Example Usage
List all templates:
/skill:arckit-customize list
Copy requirements template:
/skill:arckit-customize requirements
Copy multiple templates:
/skill:arckit-customize requirements risk adr
Copy all templates:
/skill:arckit-customize all
Get info about a template:
/skill:arckit-customize info requirements
