Architect: Stack Selector Router

Use this skill when the user describes an app goal but has not chosen a concrete stack or skill set yet. This is the control plane skill: choose minimal compatible skills, apply them, and run validations.

Available Skills To Route

Base architect skills:

architect-python-uv-batch
architect-python-uv-fastapi-sqlalchemy
architect-nextjs-bun-app
architect-nextjs-vercel-app
architect-next-prisma-bun-vector

Protocol architect skills:

architect-nostr-intent-router

Add-on skills:

addon-decision-justification-ledger
addon-human-pr-review-gate
addon-auth-access-control
addon-observability-telemetry
addon-observability-python-structlog
addon-observability-nextjs-pino
addon-domain-semantic-adaptation
addon-deterministic-eval-suite
addon-llm-judge-evals
addon-rag-ingestion-pipeline
addon-docling-legal-chunk-embed
addon-nostr-client-nextjs
addon-nostr-nip-profile-selector
addon-nostr-nip-sync-lock
addon-nostr-key-custody
addon-nostr-nip23-longform
addon-llm-ancient-greek-translation
addon-llm-translation
addon-direct-llm-sdk
addon-langchain-llm
addon-langgraph-agent
addon-google-agent-dev-kit
addon-vercel-ai-labs

UI skills:

ui-social-feed-shell
ui-editorial-writing-surface
ui-document-intake-dropzone

Router Workflow

Parse user intent into:

app surface: batch | api | web
exposure model: public | internal (infer public by default for api and web unless the user clearly says internal-only)
language/runtime preference: python | nextjs | unspecified
data/retrieval needs: RAG yes/no, source formats (pdf/markdown/html/csv/text)
protocol needs: Nostr yes/no
Nostr protocol intent details: client mode, capability intents, explicit NIP constraints
persistence needs: relational DB yes/no, vector DB yes/no
domain language intent: preferred terminology, forbidden terms, tone, and user-facing naming constraints
execution constraints: network access, available binaries (uv, bun, docker), sandbox restrictions
delivery mode preference: production-default (default) or explicit NO_DOCKER=yes
review gate preference: required (default) or explicit opt-out
decision justification preference: required (default, non-optional)
semantic adaptation preference: required (default) or explicit opt-out
observability preference: required-for-public-api-web (default) or explicit opt-out
observability intensity: baseline-runtime-default | explicit-full-telemetry-push (infer explicit-full-telemetry-push only when observability is a primary user requirement; otherwise keep the baseline default)
eval preference: deterministic required (default), llm-judge optional (default)

Pick exactly one base architect skill.
Add zero or more add-ons.
Execute scaffold:

Apply selected skills in order.
Produce required artifacts for production-default mode.
Run selected skills' validation checklists.

Return:

selected skills (ordered)
one-line reason per skill
install commands
short execution order
execution mode (full or degraded fallback mode) when constraints are present
whether containerization is in-scope (required by default unless user explicitly opts out)
whether human PR review gate is in-scope (required by default unless explicitly opted out)
whether decision justification ledger is in-scope (required by default, no opt-out)
whether semantic adaptation is in-scope (required by default unless explicitly opted out)
whether observability telemetry is in-scope (required for public api/web by default unless explicitly opted out)
whether observability intensity is baseline runtime-default or explicit full telemetry push
whether deterministic eval suite is in-scope (required by default unless explicitly opted out)
whether llm-judge evals are in-scope (optional by default unless explicitly requested)
Nostr protocol routing status and selected NIP profile (when applicable)
scaffold status and validation results

Selection Rules

If user asks for Python data processing or offline ingestion jobs: choose architect-python-uv-batch.
If the user explicitly asks for Vercel deployment or a Vercel-optimized Next.js baseline: choose architect-nextjs-vercel-app.
If environment is constrained (missing package managers and/or no network): keep selected architecture, but explicitly return a degraded fallback mode and what cannot be verified yet.
Default to production-default. Docker is required by default across all runnable base architect skills.
Default to addon-human-pr-review-gate.
Default to addon-decision-justification-ledger.
Default to addon-domain-semantic-adaptation.
Default observability intensity to baseline-runtime-default.
For baseline-runtime-default, add only the runtime-specific observability implementation add-on for public api and web surfaces:
- Python api or worker runtime: addon-observability-python-structlog
- Next.js or TypeScript server runtime: addon-observability-nextjs-pino
Default to addon-deterministic-eval-suite.
Only allow local-no-docker when user explicitly sets NO_DOCKER=yes.
Only allow skipping addon-human-pr-review-gate when user explicitly requests opt-out.
Do not allow skipping addon-decision-justification-ledger in production-default mode.
Only allow skipping addon-domain-semantic-adaptation when user explicitly requests opt-out.
Only allow skipping observability add-ons for public api and web surfaces when user explicitly requests opt-out.
Only allow skipping addon-deterministic-eval-suite when user explicitly requests opt-out.
If user asks for qualitative scoring, rubric grading, or "LLM as judge": add addon-llm-judge-evals.
If user asks for Python API with database/migrations: choose architect-python-uv-fastapi-sqlalchemy.
If user asks for a Next.js app without heavy backend DB requirements: choose architect-nextjs-bun-app.
If user asks for Next.js + Prisma + Postgres + vector retrieval in one app: choose architect-next-prisma-bun-vector.
If user mentions RAG, retrieval, embeddings, or document QA: add addon-rag-ingestion-pipeline.
If user mentions legal PDFs/contracts/clauses and wants doc-to-markdown chunking: add addon-docling-legal-chunk-embed (typically with addon-rag-ingestion-pipeline).
If user mentions Nostr relays/events/signing: add addon-nostr-client-nextjs.
If user mentions Nostr and has not provided a complete NIP profile: add architect-nostr-intent-router before Nostr add-ons.
For Nostr projects by default: add addon-nostr-nip-profile-selector.
If user asks to fetch/update current NIPs or maintain a NIP lockfile: add addon-nostr-nip-sync-lock.
If user requires private key handling, signer custody, or non-extension signing fallback: add addon-nostr-key-custody.
If user requires NIP-23 long-form posts or Kind 30023: add addon-nostr-nip23-longform.
If user asks for LLM translation to Ancient Greek (koine/attic): add addon-llm-ancient-greek-translation.
If user asks for general LLM translation/localization flows: add addon-llm-translation.
If user asks for login, sessions, JWTs, API keys, RBAC, scopes, protected routes, or access control: add addon-auth-access-control.
If user makes observability a primary requirement (for example asks for logging, metrics, tracing, health checks, production diagnostics, or telemetry as a named deliverable): set observability intensity to explicit-full-telemetry-push.
If observability intensity is explicit-full-telemetry-push: add addon-observability-telemetry plus the runtime-specific observability implementation add-on when the runtime is known.
If user asks for cross-runtime observability policy, asks for generic observability guidance before choosing a runtime, or the runtime does not have a dedicated implementation add-on: set observability intensity to explicit-full-telemetry-push; add addon-observability-telemetry.
If user asks for direct provider SDK usage, explicit provider control, or to avoid LangChain/ADK/Vercel AI abstractions: add addon-direct-llm-sdk.
If user asks for LangChain abstractions or LLM provider interactions (chat/completions/RAG chain execution): add addon-langchain-llm.
If user asks for LangGraph orchestration or multi-step agent behavior (state machine, tool loops, checkpoints): add addon-langgraph-agent.
If user explicitly asks for Google Agent Development Kit (ADK): add addon-google-agent-dev-kit.
If user asks for Vercel AI SDK or AI Labs style chat/generation flows: add addon-vercel-ai-labs.
If user asks for social timeline/feed UI (including X/Twitter-like structure): add ui-social-feed-shell.
If user asks for minimalist/typography-first long-form writing UX: add ui-editorial-writing-surface (with Next.js + relevant add-ons).
If user asks for PDF/Markdown upload intake UI: add ui-document-intake-dropzone (typically with addon-rag-ingestion-pipeline).
If user gives domain-specific terminology or language preferences: add addon-domain-semantic-adaptation.

Observability Intensity Examples

Baseline runtime default: Build a public FastAPI service for customer accounts with auth and Postgres. Route to the Python base stack and include the runtime-specific observability add-on only.
Explicit full telemetry push: Build a public FastAPI service and add structured logs, metrics, tracing, health checks, and redaction rules. Route to the Python base stack and include addon-observability-telemetry plus the runtime-specific observability add-on.
Cross-runtime observability policy: Define a shared observability policy we can apply across our Python API and Next.js app before we choose implementation details. Add addon-observability-telemetry first, then add runtime-specific observability add-ons only after a concrete runtime is selected.

Default Compositions

For public api and web flows in production-default mode, append the runtime-specific observability add-on as baseline observability unless the user explicitly opts out.

Python PDF/Markdown RAG worker: architect-python-uv-batch + addon-rag-ingestion-pipeline + addon-decision-justification-ledger + addon-domain-semantic-adaptation + addon-deterministic-eval-suite + addon-human-pr-review-gate
Python legal PDF clause RAG worker: architect-python-uv-batch + addon-rag-ingestion-pipeline + addon-docling-legal-chunk-embed + addon-decision-justification-ledger + addon-domain-semantic-adaptation + addon-deterministic-eval-suite + addon-human-pr-review-gate
Python API with RAG endpoints: architect-python-uv-fastapi-sqlalchemy + addon-rag-ingestion-pipeline + addon-observability-python-structlog + addon-decision-justification-ledger + addon-domain-semantic-adaptation + addon-deterministic-eval-suite + addon-human-pr-review-gate
FastAPI with auth and access control: architect-python-uv-fastapi-sqlalchemy + addon-auth-access-control + addon-observability-python-structlog + addon-decision-justification-ledger + addon-domain-semantic-adaptation + addon-deterministic-eval-suite + addon-human-pr-review-gate
Python observability-first flow: architect-python-uv-fastapi-sqlalchemy + addon-observability-telemetry + addon-observability-python-structlog + addon-decision-justification-ledger + addon-domain-semantic-adaptation + addon-deterministic-eval-suite + addon-human-pr-review-gate
Next.js observability-first flow: architect-nextjs-bun-app + addon-observability-telemetry + addon-observability-nextjs-pino + addon-decision-justification-ledger + addon-domain-semantic-adaptation + addon-deterministic-eval-suite + addon-human-pr-review-gate
Next.js on Vercel baseline: architect-nextjs-vercel-app + addon-observability-nextjs-pino + addon-decision-justification-ledger + addon-domain-semantic-adaptation + addon-deterministic-eval-suite + addon-human-pr-review-gate
Next.js Nostr client: architect-nextjs-bun-app + architect-nostr-intent-router + addon-nostr-client-nextjs + addon-nostr-nip-profile-selector + addon-decision-justification-ledger + addon-domain-semantic-adaptation + addon-deterministic-eval-suite + addon-human-pr-review-gate
Next.js Nostr client with social feed UI: architect-nextjs-bun-app + architect-nostr-intent-router + addon-nostr-client-nextjs + addon-nostr-nip-profile-selector + ui-social-feed-shell + addon-decision-justification-ledger + addon-domain-semantic-adaptation + addon-deterministic-eval-suite + addon-human-pr-review-gate
Next.js typography-first journal with NIP-23 + Ancient Greek translation: architect-nextjs-bun-app + architect-nostr-intent-router + addon-nostr-client-nextjs + addon-nostr-nip-profile-selector + addon-nostr-key-custody + addon-nostr-nip23-longform + addon-llm-ancient-greek-translation + ui-editorial-writing-surface + addon-decision-justification-ledger + addon-domain-semantic-adaptation + addon-deterministic-eval-suite + addon-human-pr-review-gate
Next.js document intake UI for RAG: architect-nextjs-bun-app + addon-rag-ingestion-pipeline + ui-document-intake-dropzone + addon-observability-nextjs-pino + addon-decision-justification-ledger + addon-domain-semantic-adaptation + addon-deterministic-eval-suite + addon-human-pr-review-gate
Full-stack Next + Prisma + vector search: architect-next-prisma-bun-vector + addon-observability-nextjs-pino + addon-decision-justification-ledger + addon-domain-semantic-adaptation + addon-deterministic-eval-suite + addon-human-pr-review-gate (+ addon-rag-ingestion-pipeline if ingest/retrieval pipeline needed)
FastAPI with direct LangChain LLM endpoints: architect-python-uv-fastapi-sqlalchemy + addon-langchain-llm + addon-decision-justification-ledger + addon-domain-semantic-adaptation + addon-deterministic-eval-suite + addon-human-pr-review-gate
FastAPI with LangGraph agent orchestration: architect-python-uv-fastapi-sqlalchemy + addon-langgraph-agent + addon-decision-justification-ledger + addon-domain-semantic-adaptation + addon-deterministic-eval-suite + addon-human-pr-review-gate
Cross-architecture translation flow: architect-nextjs-bun-app or architect-python-uv-fastapi-sqlalchemy + addon-llm-translation + addon-decision-justification-ledger + addon-domain-semantic-adaptation + addon-deterministic-eval-suite + addon-human-pr-review-gate
Cross-architecture direct LLM SDK flow: architect-nextjs-bun-app or architect-python-uv-fastapi-sqlalchemy + addon-direct-llm-sdk + addon-decision-justification-ledger + addon-domain-semantic-adaptation + addon-deterministic-eval-suite + addon-human-pr-review-gate
Cross-architecture LangChain LLM flow: architect-nextjs-bun-app or architect-python-uv-fastapi-sqlalchemy + addon-langchain-llm + addon-decision-justification-ledger + addon-domain-semantic-adaptation + addon-deterministic-eval-suite + addon-human-pr-review-gate
Cross-architecture LangGraph agent flow: architect-nextjs-bun-app or architect-python-uv-fastapi-sqlalchemy + addon-langgraph-agent + addon-decision-justification-ledger + addon-domain-semantic-adaptation + addon-deterministic-eval-suite + addon-human-pr-review-gate
Google ADK agent flow: architect-nextjs-bun-app or architect-python-uv-fastapi-sqlalchemy + addon-google-agent-dev-kit + addon-decision-justification-ledger + addon-domain-semantic-adaptation + addon-deterministic-eval-suite + addon-human-pr-review-gate
Next.js Vercel AI Labs flow: architect-nextjs-bun-app + addon-vercel-ai-labs + addon-decision-justification-ledger + addon-domain-semantic-adaptation + addon-deterministic-eval-suite + addon-human-pr-review-gate

Output Template

Use this response shape:

Selected skills (in order):
1) <skill-name> - <reason>
2) <skill-name> - <reason>

Install:
npx skills add ajrlewis/ai-skills --skill <skill-name>
npx skills add ajrlewis/ai-skills --skill <skill-name>

Execution order:
1) Apply base architect skill.
2) Apply add-ons.
3) Run each skill's validation checklist.
4) Summarize generated artifacts and any blockers.

Execution mode:
- full | offline-smoke | limited-by-sandbox

Containerization:
- required across runnable base architect skills (default) | explicit-no-docker (user requested)

Human review gate:
- required (default) | explicit-opt-out (user requested)

Decision justification ledger:
- required (default) | non-optional policy

Semantic adaptation:
- required (default) | explicit-opt-out (user requested)

Observability telemetry:
- required-for-public-api-web (default) | explicit-opt-out (user requested)

Observability intensity:
- baseline-runtime-default (default) | explicit-full-telemetry-push (user requested or clearly primary requirement)

Deterministic eval suite:
- required (default) | explicit-opt-out (user requested)

LLM judge evals:
- optional (default) | explicit-required (user requested)

Guardrails

Documentation contract for generated code:
- Python: write module docstrings and docstrings for public classes, methods, and functions.
- Next.js/TypeScript: write JSDoc for exported components, hooks, utilities, and route handlers.
- Add concise rationale comments only for non-obvious logic, invariants, or safety constraints.
- Apply this contract even when using template snippets below; expand templates as needed.
Prefer the smallest skill set that satisfies requirements.
Do not select multiple base architects unless user explicitly requests a multi-repo architecture.
architect-nostr-intent-router is a protocol control-plane architect and may be combined with one base architect.
If a requirement conflicts with a selected skill, call it out and suggest the nearest valid composition.
Surface blockers early (missing uv/bun, no network, restricted Docker) and include an actionable fallback.
Never silently downgrade from production-default to no-docker behavior.
Do not invent prompt-specific one-off skills during normal routing; compose generic architect-*, addon-*, and reusable ui-* skills.
Prefer generic UI skills (ui-social-feed-shell, ui-editorial-writing-surface) with style inputs over brand-locked UI skill creation.
Default to addon-human-pr-review-gate for production scaffolds.
Default to addon-decision-justification-ledger for production scaffolds.
Default to addon-domain-semantic-adaptation so user/domain language is reflected in output copy and docs.
Default to addon-deterministic-eval-suite for hard pass/fail gating.
Treat addon-llm-judge-evals as secondary quality scoring unless user explicitly makes it blocking.
No skill decision should be returned without a concrete justification and trace entry.

Decision Justification Rule

Every non-trivial decision must include a concrete justification.
Capture the alternatives considered and why they were rejected.
State tradeoffs and residual risks for the chosen option.
If justification is missing, treat the task as incomplete and surface it as a blocker.

architect-stack-selector