Enables and configures Pragmatic Guard Mode to enforce YAGNI and prevent over-engineering. Manages .architecture/config.yml for intensity levels, triggers, and exemptions. Use for simplicity-focused development.
How this skill is triggered — by the user, by Claude, or both
Slash command
/ai-software-architect:pragmatic-guardThis skill is limited to the following tools:
The summary Claude sees in its skill listing — used to decide when to auto-load this skill
Enables and configures the Pragmatic Guard Mode to actively challenge over-engineering.
Enables and configures the Pragmatic Guard Mode to actively challenge over-engineering.
.architecture/config.yml to check current settings.architecture/templates/config.ymlpragmatic_mode.enabled is trueIf user wants to enable:
cp .architecture/templates/config.yml .architecture/config.yml
pragmatic_mode.enabled: true.architecture/deferrals.md from template if it doesn't exist:
cp .architecture/templates/deferrals.md .architecture/deferrals.md
Ask user which intensity they prefer if not specified:
Strict Mode:
Balanced Mode (RECOMMENDED):
Lenient Mode:
Ask if user wants to customize which situations trigger pragmatic analysis:
Confirm exemption categories where best practices should be maintained:
Explain how the Pragmatic Enforcer will participate:
In Architecture Reviews:
In ADR Creation:
Question Framework:
If behavior.track_deferrals is true:
.architecture/deferrals.md with deferred decisionsPragmatic Guard Mode: [Enabled | Disabled]
Configuration:
- Intensity: [strict | balanced | lenient]
- Apply to: [List of phases where it applies]
- Deferrals tracking: [enabled | disabled]
Exemptions:
- Security-critical: [enabled | disabled]
- Data integrity: [enabled | disabled]
- Compliance: [enabled | disabled]
- Accessibility: [enabled | disabled]
Triggers:
[List of active triggers]
The Pragmatic Enforcer will now:
- Challenge recommendations from other architects
- Question complexity and abstractions
- Propose simpler alternatives
- Calculate pragmatic scores (target ratio <1.5)
- [If enabled] Track deferred decisions in .architecture/deferrals.md
Next Steps:
- Create an ADR: "Create ADR for [topic]" (will include pragmatic analysis)
- Start a review: "Start architecture review for [target]" (will include pragmatic challenges)
- Adjust settings: Edit .architecture/config.yml
Enable for:
Consider disabling for:
npx claudepluginhub codenamev/ai-software-architect --plugin ai-software-architectGuides decisions to add features or abstractions only when required by current concrete requirements, avoiding unnecessary complexity.
Advises on architectural decisions by asking questions, surfacing trade-offs, and presenting options without executing. Use when designing features, choosing approaches, or refactoring.
Guides structured conversations to define repository architecture principles in clean (default), hexagonal/ports & adapters, modular monolith, or custom styles. Produces formal architecture.md document for project standards.