project-architect

name	project-architect
description	> Use when this capability is needed.

Project Architect

A documentation-first project planning system that produces implementation-ready blueprints and Claude Code-ready prompts. The philosophy: think deeply, document thoroughly, then execute with zero ambiguity.

Output Pipeline

[Discovery]  →  SPECIFICATION.md  →  IMPLEMENTATION.md  →  TASKS.md  →  BRANDING.md
                  (The What)           (The How)           (The Work)    (Identity)
                       ↓                    ↓                   ↓
                       └────────────────────┴───────────────────┘
                                          ↓
                                     PROMPT.md
                              (Claude Code Single-Shot)

Each document feeds the next. The final PROMPT.md synthesizes all documents into a single prompt optimized for Claude Code execution.

Reference Files

Read the appropriate reference file before generating each document:

Phase	Reference File	When to Read
Discovery	${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/references/elicitation-guide.md	Before asking any questions
Tech Stack	${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/references/tech-stacks.md	When user needs stack selection help
Patterns	${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/references/design-patterns.md	When making architecture decisions
Specification	${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/references/specification-guide.md	Before generating SPECIFICATION.md
Implementation	${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/references/implementation-guide.md	Before generating IMPLEMENTATION.md
Tasks	${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/references/tasks-guide.md	Before generating TASKS.md
Branding	${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/references/branding-guide.md	Before generating BRANDING.md
Prompt	${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/references/claude-code-prompt.md	Before generating PROMPT.md

Workflow

Phase 0: Discovery & Elicitation

Read ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/references/elicitation-guide.md for the full question framework.

Before writing anything, understand the project through structured conversation. Use AskUserQuestion tool aggressively for choices — the user should tap, not type, whenever possible.

Minimum understanding before any document generation:

1. What does this project do? (elevator pitch)
2. Who is it for? (target audience)
3. What's the project type? (web app, CLI, library, API, mobile, desktop, infra tool)
4. What's the scope? (MVP vs full product)
5. Tech stack direction (or "help me choose")

If the user says "help me choose a stack": Read ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/references/tech-stacks.md and run the interactive stack selection flow. Present options with trade-offs using AskUserQuestion.

Phase 1: SPECIFICATION.md

Read ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/references/specification-guide.md before generating.

Defines what the project is. Technology-aware but not implementation-detailed. After generating, pause for user review.

Phase 2: IMPLEMENTATION.md

Read ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/references/implementation-guide.md AND ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/references/design-patterns.md before generating.

Translates specification into how to build it. This is where you:

• Recommend design patterns based on the project's needs (consult patterns reference)
• Define concrete directory structures with file-by-file purpose
• Choose dependencies with rationale
• Define module interfaces and data flows
• Include code snippets for critical patterns (signatures, types, structural examples)

Pattern Recommendations: Consult ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/references/design-patterns.md and recommend specific patterns with rationale. Don't just name-drop — show how each pattern applies to THIS project with a short code sketch.

Phase 3: TASKS.md

Read ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/references/tasks-guide.md before generating.

Converts implementation into ordered work items. Each task must be:

• Completable by Claude Code in a single session
• Self-contained with full context
• Ordered by strict dependency chain
• Include the exact files to create/modify

Phase 4: BRANDING.md (Optional)

Read ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/references/branding-guide.md before generating.

Only generate if user wants it or the project is user-facing.

Phase 5: PROMPT.md (Always Generate)

Read ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/references/claude-code-prompt.md before generating.

This is the most critical output. Synthesize all documents into a single-shot prompt that Claude Code can execute to build the entire project from scratch. The prompt must be completely self-contained, with inline code for complex patterns and an ordered checklist of every file to create.

Operating Rules

1. Document order is sequential. SPEC → IMPL → TASKS → BRANDING → PROMPT. Never skip ahead.

2. Pause between documents. Present each doc, ask for approval before the next.

3. Use AskUserQuestion for decisions. Tech stack, database, auth, deployment — any decision with 2-4 clear options should use interactive selection, not freeform questions.

4. Recommend, don't dictate. Present 2-3 options with trade-offs. Let user choose. If user says "you pick", choose and explain why.

5. Scale to project size. Weekend project = concise docs, 15-30 tasks. Enterprise platform = thorough docs, 100+ tasks. Match depth to ambition.

6. Always save as files. Every document goes to ./[project-name]/docs/ in the current working directory as Markdown files. Use the Write tool to save them.

7. Cross-reference between documents. IMPL references SPEC sections. TASKS reference IMPL modules. PROMPT inlines everything needed.

8. No filler. Every line must be specific to THIS project. Remove sections that would be generic boilerplate.

9. Design patterns are recommendations. When choosing patterns for IMPLEMENTATION.md, consult ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/references/design-patterns.md and match patterns to the project's specific needs. Include a brief "why this pattern" rationale for each recommendation.

Plugin-Aware Integration

Check if the user has other Claude Code plugins or skills installed. If they do:

• Frontend framework planner (react-app-planner, nextjs-app-planner, etc.) → Suggest using it for deeper framework decisions after architect docs are done
• Frontend design → Reference it for UI component guidance in IMPLEMENTATION.md
• Brand/design skills → Integrate into BRANDING.md generation
• MCP builder → If project includes an MCP server, note the skill for implementation phase
• Language-specific skills (typescript-mastery, etc.) → Incorporate coding standards from that skill into IMPLEMENTATION.md

Mention relevant skills naturally: "You have a react-app-planner skill — want me to use it for deeper React architecture decisions after we finish the high-level plan?"

Handling Partial Input

Scenario	Action
Vague 1-liner	Full elicitation flow with AskUserQuestion
Detailed brief	Extract answers, ask only gaps
Existing spec uploaded	Validate, suggest improvements, continue from Phase 2
"Just the spec"	Generate SPECIFICATION.md only, offer to continue later
"Skip to tasks"	Gather context, generate lightweight spec+impl, then tasks
"Just give me a prompt"	Condensed discovery → direct PROMPT.md generation
"Help me choose a stack"	Run tech stack advisor from ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/references/tech-stacks.md
"What patterns should I use?"	Consult ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/references/design-patterns.md, ask about project

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Source: ersinkoc/project-architect — distributed by TomeVault.