Create Architecture Documentation

Generate comprehensive architecture documentation

Instructions

1. Architecture Analysis and Discovery

   • Analyze current system architecture and component relationships
   • Identify key architectural patterns and design decisions
   • Document system boundaries, interfaces, and dependencies
   • Assess data flow and communication patterns
   • Identify architectural debt and improvement opportunities

2. Architecture Documentation Framework

   • Choose appropriate documentation framework and tools:
     • C4 Model: Context, Containers, Components, Code diagrams
     • Arc42: Comprehensive architecture documentation template
     • Architecture Decision Records (ADRs): Decision documentation
     • PlantUML/Mermaid: Diagram-as-code documentation
     • Structurizr: C4 model tooling and visualization
     • Draw.io/Lucidchart: Visual diagramming tools

3. System Context Documentation

   • Create high-level system context diagrams
   • Document external systems and integrations
   • Define system boundaries and responsibilities
   • Document user personas and stakeholders
   • Create system landscape and ecosystem overview

4. Container and Service Architecture

   • Document container/service architecture and deployment view
   • Create service dependency maps and communication patterns
   • Document deployment architecture and infrastructure
   • Define service boundaries and API contracts
   • Document data persistence and storage architecture

5. Component and Module Documentation

   • Create detailed component architecture diagrams
   • Document internal module structure and relationships
   • Define component responsibilities and interfaces
   • Document design patterns and architectural styles
   • Create code organization and package structure documentation

6. Data Architecture Documentation

   • Document data models and database schemas
   • Create data flow diagrams and processing pipelines
   • Document data storage strategies and technologies
   • Define data governance and lifecycle management
   • Create data integration and synchronization documentation

7. Security and Compliance Architecture

   • Document security architecture and threat model
   • Create authentication and authorization flow diagrams
   • Document compliance requirements and controls
   • Define security boundaries and trust zones
   • Create incident response and security monitoring documentation

8. Quality Attributes and Cross-Cutting Concerns

   • Document performance characteristics and scalability patterns
   • Create reliability and availability architecture documentation
   • Document monitoring and observability architecture
   • Define maintainability and evolution strategies
   • Create disaster recovery and business continuity documentation

9. Architecture Decision Records (ADRs)

   • Create comprehensive ADR template and process
   • Document historical architectural decisions and rationale
   • Create decision tracking and review process
   • Document trade-offs and alternatives considered
   • Set up ADR maintenance and evolution procedures

10. Documentation Automation and Maintenance

    • Set up automated diagram generation from code annotations
    • Configure documentation pipeline and publishing automation
    • Set up documentation validation and consistency checking
    • Create documentation review and approval process
    • Train team on architecture documentation practices and tools
    • Set up documentation versioning and change management