Dialogue: ADR Creator

Creates Architecture Decision Records for significant architectural decisions that require formal alternatives analysis.

When to Use

Use this skill when:

• Formally evaluating 2+ alternatives with pros/cons
• The decision has system-wide or long-term architectural impact
• Consequences and trade-offs need documentation
• Future developers will need to understand why this choice was made

Do NOT use for:

• Routine operational choices → use dialogue-log-decision with OPERATIONAL type
• Tactical approach changes → use dialogue-log-decision with TACTICAL type
• Component decisions without formal alternatives → use dialogue-log-decision with DESIGN type

Dependencies

This skill requires:

• dialogue-log-decision skill — Used to automatically cross-reference ADRs in the decision log

How to Create an ADR

Execute the following bash command:

${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/dialogue-create-adr/scripts/create-adr.sh <title> <actor> <context> <decision> <alternatives> <consequences> <rationale> [tags]

Required Parameters

Optional Parameters

Example

${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/dialogue-create-adr/scripts/create-adr.sh \
  "Use filesystem for initial Context Graph storage" \
  "human:pidster" \
  "Need to store Context Graph data for TMS operations. Must support location-agnostic access and future migration to graph database." \
  "Start with filesystem + YAML storage; design abstractions for future Kuzu migration" \
  "1. Kuzu (embedded graph): Pros - native graph queries, good performance. Cons - additional dependency, learning curve. 2. Neo4j: Pros - mature, well-documented. Cons - server dependency, overkill for current scale. 3. Filesystem + YAML: Pros - simple, no dependencies, human-readable. Cons - no native graph queries, manual relationship traversal." \
  "Positive: Simple implementation, no new dependencies. Positive: Human-readable storage. Trade-off: Manual graph traversal required. Trade-off: Will need migration when scale requires it." \
  "Start simple, evolve when needed. Filesystem provides immediate value without premature optimisation. Resolver abstraction enables future migration." \
  "architecture,storage,context-graph"

Output

The script:

1. Creates ADR file at decisions/ADR-NNN-<slugified-title>.md
2. Automatically logs to decision log with type=ADR and ref to the ADR file
3. Returns both the ADR ID and decision log ID

Example output:

ADR-001: /path/to/project/decisions/ADR-001-use-filesystem-for-initial-context-graph-storage.md
DEC-20260114-153000: Cross-reference logged

ADR File Structure

The created ADR follows the template from guidance_implementation.md:

# ADR-NNN: [Title]

Date: YYYY-MM-DD
Status: Proposed
Actor: human:pidster

## Context
[What issue motivated this decision?]

## Decision
[What change are we making?]

## Alternatives Considered
[Each alternative with pros/cons]

## Consequences
[What becomes easier or harder?]

## Rationale
[Why is this the right choice?]

A template file is available at templates/adr-template.md in this skill directory.

ADR Lifecycle

To change status, edit the ADR file directly. The decision log entry is immutable (captures the moment of decision).

Error Handling

The script validates:

• Actor format (must be human:<id> or ai:<id>)
• Required parameters (all 7 must be provided)

If the decision log cross-reference fails, a warning is shown but the ADR file is still created.

Framework Grounding

ADRs are:

• Content Domain: STR (Strategy) — rationale, decisions, business justification
• Temporal Class: Standing — quarterly or less updates, years lifespan
• Knowledge Type: Attempting to capture embedded knowledge through formal alternatives analysis

The decision log cross-reference ensures the decision log remains a complete audit trail while ADRs provide the detailed Standing document.