documentation-and-adrs

An Architecture Decision Record (ADR) captures context, trade-offs, and consequences for significant changes like choosing a new framework or API shape. You need an ADR when a major architectural choice is made, ensuring later maintenance doesn’t reopen the same debate.

Manage the ADR lifecycle using a PROPOSED → ACCEPTED → SUPERSEDED or DEPRECATED flow. When an architectural decision changes, create a new ADR that supersedes the old one rather than deleting the original, preserving the historical context and constraints.

An ADR template should include context, the decision itself, alternatives considered, and consequences. Applying consistent documentation standards ensures these architectural decisions are discoverable and not lost over time.

Document known gotchas and API conventions by applying operational documentation standards that promote a consistent README structure, API documentation practices, and changelog maintenance to prevent repeated mistakes during ongoing software engineering work.

Yes, this approach works for browser extension architecture decisions. When you choose a new authentication approach or public API shape for a browser extension, writing an ADR records the rationale so future engineers and agents can reuse the context.