Setup AI Software Architect Framework

Sets up and customizes the AI Software Architect framework for a project.

Overview

This skill performs a complete framework installation:

Verifies prerequisites (framework cloned, project root confirmed)
Analyzes project (languages, frameworks, structure, patterns)
Installs framework files and directory structure
Customizes team members and principles for detected tech stack
Performs initial system analysis
Reports customizations and findings

Detailed procedures: references/installation-procedures.md Customization guide: references/customization-guide.md

High-Level Workflow

1. Verify Prerequisites

Check requirements before installation:

.architecture/.architecture/ directory exists (cloned framework)
Currently in project root directory

If missing: Guide user to clone framework first.

2. Analyze Project

Identify project characteristics:

Languages: JavaScript/TypeScript, Python, Ruby, Java, Go, Rust
Frameworks: React, Vue, Django, Rails, Spring, etc.
Infrastructure: Testing setup, CI/CD, package managers
Structure: Directory layout, architectural patterns

Use Glob and Grep to detect technologies, Read to examine configs.

3. Install Framework

Execute installation steps (see references/installation-procedures.md):

Copy framework files to .architecture/
Remove clone directory
Create directory structure (decisions/adrs, reviews, recalibration, etc.)
Initialize configuration from templates
Set up agent documentation (ADR-006 progressive disclosure)

Critical: Follow safety procedures when removing .git/ directory.

4. Customize Architecture Team

Add technology-specific members to .architecture/members.yml:

JavaScript/TypeScript: JavaScript Expert, framework specialists (React/Vue/Angular)
Python: Python Expert, framework specialists (Django/Flask/FastAPI)
Ruby: Ruby Expert, Rails Architect
Java: Java Expert, Spring Boot Specialist
Go: Go Expert, Microservices Architect
Rust: Rust Expert, Systems Programmer

Use template from assets/member-template.yml.

Keep core members: Systems Architect, Domain Expert, Security, Performance, Maintainability, AI Engineer, Pragmatic Enforcer.

Customization details: references/customization-guide.md § Customize Team Members

5. Customize Architectural Principles

Add framework-specific principles to .architecture/principles.md:

React: Component composition, hooks, unidirectional data flow
Rails: Convention over configuration, DRY, RESTful design
Django: Explicit over implicit, reusable apps, use built-ins

Principle examples: references/customization-guide.md § Customize Principles

6. Update CLAUDE.md Integration

If CLAUDE.md exists in project root, append framework usage section:

Available commands
Where to find documentation
How to invoke skills

Template: references/customization-guide.md § Update CLAUDE.md

7. Cleanup

Remove framework development files:

Framework documentation (README.md, USAGE*.md, INSTALL.md)
Template .git/ directory (with critical safety checks)

⚠️ IMPORTANT: Follow all safeguards in references/installation-procedures.md § Cleanup.

8. Create Initial System Analysis

Generate comprehensive initial analysis document:

Each member analyzes system from their perspective
System overview (stack, structure, patterns)
Strengths identified
Concerns raised (with impact levels)
Recommendations prioritized (Critical/Important/Nice-to-Have)
Collaborative synthesis of findings

Save to .architecture/reviews/initial-system-analysis.md.

Template: assets/initial-analysis-template.md

9. Report to User

Provide setup summary:

AI Software Architect Framework Setup Complete

Customizations:
- Added [N] technology specialists: [list]
- Customized principles for: [frameworks]
- Configuration: Pragmatic mode [enabled/disabled]

Initial Analysis Highlights:
- Overall assessment: [assessment]
- Top strength: [strength]
- Top concern: [concern]
- Critical recommendation: [recommendation]

Location: .architecture/reviews/initial-system-analysis.md

Next Steps:
- Review initial analysis findings
- "List architecture members" to see customized team
- "Create ADR for [first decision]" to start documenting
- "What's our architecture status?" to verify setup

Error Handling

Framework not cloned:

The framework must be cloned first. Please run:

git clone https://github.com/codenamev/ai-software-architect .architecture/.architecture

Then run setup again.

Already set up:

Framework appears to be already set up.

To verify: "What's our architecture status?"
To reconfigure: Manually edit .architecture/members.yml and .architecture/principles.md

Unclear project structure:

Could not clearly identify project type. Please describe:
- Primary programming language(s)
- Framework(s) used
- Project purpose

I'll customize the framework accordingly.

Related Skills

After Setup:

list-members - View customized team
architecture-status - Verify setup completion
create-adr - Document first decision

Initial Work:

Review initial-system-analysis.md findings
specialist-review - Deep-dive on specific concerns
create-adr - Document existing key decisions

Workflow Example: Setup → Review initial analysis → Create ADRs → Status check → Regular reviews

Notes

Customize based on actual project, not every possible option
Be specific about why each customization was made
Initial analysis should be thorough but focused on actionable findings
Safety checks during cleanup are non-negotiable

Documentation

Installation details: references/installation-procedures.md
Customization guide: references/customization-guide.md
Initial analysis template: assets/initial-analysis-template.md
Member template: assets/member-template.yml
Common patterns: ../_patterns.md

setup-architect