architecture

Q: How do I install architecture?

Run npx skills add https://github.com/anthropics/knowledge-work-plugins --skill architecture in your project. The skills CLI detects the agents you use and copies the skill into the right folder. For Claude Code you can also place the skill folder at ~/.claude/skills/architecture/ (personal) or .claude/skills/architecture/ (project).

by anthropics OfficialCode Quality & Workflow

Create or evaluate an architecture decision record (ADR). Use when choosing between technologies (e.g., Kafka vs SQS), documenting a design decision with trade-offs and consequences, reviewing a system design proposal, or designing a new component from requirements and constraints.

Installs: 6.7K
Last 24h: +21
Trending rank: #5660
Security: Pass

Install

Works with every agent the skills CLI supports.

npx skills add https://github.com/anthropics/knowledge-work-plugins --skill architecture

01
Install
Run the command in your project. The CLI asks which agents to install for.
02
Describe the task
Ask your agent for something this skill covers. It loads architecture automatically when relevant.
03
Review the result
The agent follows the SKILL.md steps, scripts and references bundled with the skill.

Security audits

Independent scans of the skill's instructions and bundled files.

Gen Agent Trust Hub PassSAFE ·This skill provides a structured framework for creating and evaluating architectural designs through template-based instructions. No security considerations were identified during the analysis.

Socket PassNo alerts

Snyk PassLOW ·Risk: LOW · No issues

Runlayer PassNONE ·1 file scanned · No issues

ZeroLeaks PassNONE ·Score: 93/100 · 2 sections analyzed

SKILL.md

The instructions your agent reads when the skill is triggered.

/architecture

If you see unfamiliar placeholders or need to check which tools are connected, see CONNECTORS.md.

Create an Architecture Decision Record (ADR) or evaluate a system design.

Usage

/architecture $ARGUMENTS

Modes

Create an ADR: "Should we use Kafka or SQS for our event bus?" Evaluate a design: "Review this microservices proposal" System design: "Design the notification system for our app"

See the system-design skill for detailed frameworks on requirements gathering, scalability analysis, and trade-off evaluation.

Output — ADR Format

# ADR-[number]: [Title]

**Status:** Proposed | Accepted | Deprecated | Superseded
**Date:** [Date]
**Deciders:** [Who needs to sign off]

## Context
[What is the situation? What forces are at play?]

## Decision
[What is the change we're proposing?]

## Options Considered

### Option A: [Name]
| Dimension | Assessment |
|-----------|------------|
| Complexity | [Low/Med/High] |
| Cost | [Assessment] |
| Scalability | [Assessment] |
| Team familiarity | [Assessment] |

**Pros:** [List]
**Cons:** [List]

### Option B: [Name]
[Same format]

## Trade-off Analysis
[Key trade-offs between options with clear reasoning]

## Consequences
- [What becomes easier]
- [What becomes harder]
- [What we'll need to revisit]

## Action Items
1. [ ] [Implementation step]
2. [ ] [Follow-up]

If Connectors Available

If ~~knowledge base is connected:

Search for prior ADRs and design docs
Find relevant technical context

If ~~project tracker is connected:

Link to related epics and tickets
Create implementation tasks

Tips

State constraints upfront — "We need to ship in 2 weeks" or "Must handle 10K rps" shapes the answer.
Name your options — Even if you're leaning one way, I'll give a more balanced analysis with explicit alternatives.
Include non-functional requirements — Latency, cost, team expertise, and maintenance burden matter as much as features.

FAQ

What does the architecture skill do?

How do I install architecture?

Run npx skills add https://github.com/anthropics/knowledge-work-plugins --skill architecture in your project. The skills CLI detects the agents you use and copies the skill into the right folder. For Claude Code you can also place the skill folder at ~/.claude/skills/architecture/ (personal) or .claude/skills/architecture/ (project).

Which AI agents can use architecture?

Any agent that supports the open Agent Skills format (a folder with a SKILL.md file), including Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, Windsurf, Cline, OpenCode and more.

Is architecture safe to install?

Security partners have reviewed it: Gen Agent Trust Hub passed; Socket passed; Snyk passed; Runlayer passed; ZeroLeaks passed. As with any skill, read the SKILL.md and bundled scripts before installing.

Who maintains architecture?

It is published by anthropics in anthropics/knowledge-work-plugins, and it is an official skill from the maker of the technology it covers. It has 6,731 recorded installs.