ADR Creator
Generate a well-structured Architecture Decision Record (ADR) as a Markdown file.
What is an ADR
An ADR captures why a specific architectural or technical decision was made, what alternatives were considered, and what trade-offs were accepted. ADRs are not implementation plans — they record the reasoning behind a choice so future team members understand the context.
Process
- Gather context from the user. Ask about:
- Title — short name for the decision - Status — default to "In Progress" unless told otherwise - Responsible / Accountable — who is driving and who owns the outcome - Consulted — roles whose input was sought (e.g., Security Engineer, Architect, QA) - Informed — stakeholders who should be aware of the outcome - Outcome — one-line summary of what was decided - Due date — when the decision must be finalized - Vertical / Team — business vertical and team owning the decision - Background — the problem, constraints, or forces that require a decision - Options considered — at least two, ideally three, each with pros and cons - Decision Outcome — the chosen option and the justification for choosing it - Consequences — positive and negative effects of the chosen option - Action items — follow-up tasks resulting from the decision (optional)
- If the user gives a vague request, ask one round of clarifying questions. Don't over-interrogate — work with what you have after one follow-up.
- Read the template from
references/template-markdown.mdand fill it with the gathered context. - Output the ADR inside a single Markdown code block.
Filling Rules
- Background: describe the problem that forced the decision. Focus on constraints and forces — not the solution.
- Options Considered: include at least two options, each with pros and cons. Remove Option 3 if only two exist.
- Decision Outcome: state the chosen option and explain *why* it beats the others. Be honest about trade-offs.
- Consequences: list positive and negative effects separately. Include follow-up actions if any.
- RACI fields: if the user doesn't know who to put in Consulted / Informed, leave them as "TBD".
- Action Items: follow-up tasks that result from the decision. Omit this section if none exist.
Output Rules
- Output language: English always, regardless of the language the user writes in
- Never leave placeholder text — replace everything or mark as "TBD" if the user explicitly skipped it
- After presenting the ADR, offer: "Want me to adjust anything?"
Reference
- Template:
references/template-markdown.md