arch-brief

Draft Slack-sized architecture briefs with implementation options and tradeoffs.

Updated Apr 7, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/Alfie728/my-skills --skill arch-brief
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: arch-brief
Source: https://github.com/Alfie728/my-skills/tree/main/arch-brief
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/Alfie728/my-skills --skill arch-brief

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

Produces a concise, Slack-sized architecture brief to align stakeholders on an implementation approach after a user flow is approved, preventing long async debates and premature spec work.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Scannable Briefs — Summarizes the chosen approach in one short, Slack-friendly message.
  • Design Options & Tradeoffs — Generates 2–3 materially different approaches with concrete pros, cons, and open questions for each.
  • Team Alignment Workflow — Grounds recommendations in codebase context, recommends whether a huddle is needed, and prepares the brief for posting only after explicit confirmation.
  • Use Case: After a user flow is approved, present the team with clear implementation options and a recommended direction before authoring the full engineering PRD.

Quick Start

Draft an architecture brief for the approved feature's user flow that lists two to three approaches, their pros and cons, any open questions, a huddle recommendation, and a Slack-ready summary awaiting explicit post confirmation.

Frequently Asked Questions about arch-brief

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I draft a Slack architecture brief to align stakeholders on an implementation approach?

A Slack architecture brief summarizes codebase context and presents two to three implementation approaches with concrete pros, cons, and open questions in a scannable message. It is prepared for posting only after explicit confirmation to ensure team alignment.

When do I need an architecture brief before writing an engineering PRD?

You need an architecture brief after a user flow is approved but before authoring an engineering PRD. It aligns stakeholders on a proposed implementation direction by presenting design options and tradeoffs, which prevents long async debates and premature spec work.

What is the best way to present design tradeoffs for a proposed implementation in Slack?

The best way to present design tradeoffs in Slack is generating a concise brief that lists two to three materially different approaches. Each approach includes concrete pros, cons, and open questions, alongside a recommendation on whether a huddle is needed to resolve remaining issues.

Does this architecture brief workflow require a huddle before posting to Slack?

A huddle is not strictly required before posting, but the architecture brief workflow does recommend whether a team huddle is necessary based on the generated open questions. The Slack-sized message itself is only posted after explicit confirmation from the user.

Can I summarize codebase context directly into a Slack-ready architecture brief?

Yes, you can summarize codebase context directly into a Slack-ready architecture brief. The process grounds the design options and tradeoffs in the existing codebase, producing a short, scannable message tailored for Slack to quickly align stakeholders on the implementation approach.