write-design

Generate design documents with problem, design, alternatives, and decisions sections.

5|Updated Mar 18, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/sambeau/kanbanzai --skill write-design-sambeau
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: write-design
Source: https://github.com/sambeau/kanbanzai/tree/main/.kbz/skills/write-design
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/sambeau/kanbanzai --skill write-design-sambeau

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

💡 This Skill includes scripts (resource) and references (resource) components.

What problem does it solve?

The skill addresses the need for disciplined, repeatable design documentation to capture problems, proposed designs, alternatives, and decisions, ensuring clear traceability across features.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Generates a structured design document with Problem and Motivation, Design, Alternatives Considered, and Decisions sections.
  • Enforces frontmatter and related work conventions to aid corpus alignment and review.
  • Supports reuse and auditing of design decisions across Kanbanzai features.

Quick Start

Draft a design document that outlines the problem, proposed approach, evaluated alternatives, and decisions in the required four-section structure.

Frequently Asked Questions about write-design

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

FAQPage Schema
What is an architectural decision record and when do I need one for feature design?

An architectural decision record (ADR) captures design rationale, alternatives, and trade-offs. You need one for feature design and system architecture tasks to ensure traceability and disciplined documentation of decisions across a project.

How do I write a design document that captures alternatives and trade-offs?

To write a design document, draft four sections: Problem and Motivation, Design, Alternatives Considered, and Decisions. This structure enforces frontmatter metadata and traces architectural decisions, ensuring clear rationale for system architecture tasks.

Does this design document format work for system architecture tasks outside of Kanbanzai?

Yes, the design document format applies to system architecture tasks within Kanbanzai and similar projects. It enforces a required four-section structure and frontmatter conventions that support reuse and auditing of design decisions across various features.

What's the best way to structure a design document for traceability of decisions?

The best way to structure a design document for traceability is using four sections: Problem and Motivation, Design, Alternatives Considered, and Decisions. This enforces frontmatter and related work conventions to aid corpus alignment and review.

Why does my design document need frontmatter and related work conventions?

Your design document needs frontmatter and related work conventions to aid corpus alignment and review. These conventions enforce required structure and metadata, supporting the reuse and auditing of architectural decisions across features.

When should I not use a structured four-section design document?

You should avoid a structured four-section design document when a task lacks significant trade-offs or architectural decisions. The format is designed for feature design and system architecture tasks requiring disciplined documentation of alternatives and rationale.