architect

Analyze cross-component changes with alternatives and blast-radius assessments.

20|4|Updated May 14, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/crewrig/crewrig --skill architect-crewrig
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: architect
Source: https://github.com/crewrig/crewrig/tree/main/artifacts/core/skills/architect
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/crewrig/crewrig --skill architect-crewrig

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

The architect skill helps you slow down at the right moment when a change may affect multiple components, shared contracts, migrations, or architectural direction. It prevents rushed decisions by forcing clear framing, alternatives, and ripple-effect analysis before implementation proceeds.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Design review and ADR support: Useful when evaluating a new abstraction, API change, migration, or cross-module refactor.
  • Trade-off analysis: Surfaces at least two viable approaches and compares their costs, benefits, and reversibility.
  • Blast-radius assessment: Identifies impacted files, contracts, downstream consumers, and whether the change needs an ADR or migration plan.
  • Grounded decision-making: Requires claims about external surfaces to be traceable to repository evidence or provided context.

Quick Start

Ask the architect skill to compare two implementation options for a change that affects more than one component and recommend the safer design.

Frequently Asked Questions about architect

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

FAQPage Schema
How do I analyze ripple effects before committing to a cross-component refactor?

To analyze ripple effects for a cross-component refactor, assess the blast-radius by identifying impacted files, shared contracts, and downstream consumers. This requires explicit framing and grounded claims to ensure external surfaces are traceable to repository evidence.

What is the best way to write an Architecture Decision Record for a new abstraction?

Writing an Architecture Decision Record for a new abstraction requires comparing at least two viable alternatives. You must evaluate their trade-offs, costs, benefits, and reversibility to ground your design decisions before implementation proceeds.

When do I need a design review for a system migration?

A design review for a system migration is needed when changes cross component boundaries or affect shared contracts. This prevents rushed decisions by forcing explicit framing, ripple-effect assessment, and grounded claims about external surfaces.

How do I compare architectural trade-offs for an API change?

To compare architectural trade-offs for an API change, surface at least two viable approaches and evaluate their costs, benefits, and reversibility. This ensures your design review includes grounded decision-making based on repository evidence.

What should an RFC include when assessing the blast-radius of a new API?

An RFC assessing the blast-radius of a new API should include explicit framing, at least two alternatives, and an analysis of impacted files and downstream consumers. Claims about external surfaces must be traceable to repository context.