Provides guidance on software architecture patterns and design decisions. Use when designing systems, choosing patterns, structuring projects, or when asked about architectural approaches.
View on GitHubOrdinalDragons/ultimate-workflow
project-starter
skills/architecture-patterns/SKILL.md
January 22, 2026
Select agents to install to:
npx add-skill https://github.com/OrdinalDragons/ultimate-workflow/blob/main/skills/architecture-patterns/SKILL.md -a claude-code --skill architecture-patternsInstallation paths:
.claude/skills/architecture-patterns/# Architecture Patterns Skill
## Pattern Selection Guide
### By Project Size
| Size | Recommended Pattern |
|------|---------------------|
| Small (<10K LOC) | Simple MVC/Layered |
| Medium (10K-100K) | Clean Architecture |
| Large (>100K) | Modular Monolith or Microservices |
### By Team Size
| Team | Recommended |
|------|-------------|
| 1-3 devs | Monolith with clear modules |
| 4-10 devs | Modular Monolith |
| 10+ devs | Microservices (if justified) |
## Common Patterns
### 1. Layered Architecture
```
┌─────────────────────────────┐
│ Presentation │ ← UI, API Controllers
├─────────────────────────────┤
│ Application │ ← Use Cases, Services
├─────────────────────────────┤
│ Domain │ ← Business Logic, Entities
├─────────────────────────────┤
│ Infrastructure │ ← Database, External APIs
└─────────────────────────────┘
```
**Use when**: Simple CRUD apps, small teams, quick prototypes
### 2. Clean Architecture
```
┌─────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Frameworks & Drivers │
│ ┌─────────────────────────────┐ │
│ │ Interface Adapters │ │
│ │ ┌─────────────────────┐ │ │
│ │ │ Application │ │ │
│ │ │ ┌─────────────┐ │ │ │
│ │ │ │ Domain │ │ │ │
│ │ │ └─────────────┘ │ │ │
│ │ └─────────────────────┘ │ │
│ └─────────────────────────────┘ │
└─────────────────────────────────────┘
```
**Use when**: Complex business logic, long-lived projects, testability is key
### 3. Hexagonal (Ports & Adapters)
```
┌──────────┐
│ HTTP API │
└────┬─────┘
│ Port
┌────────▼────────┐
│ │
│ Application │
│ Core │
│ │
└────────┬────────┘
│ Port
┌────▼─────┐
│ Database │
└──────────┘
```
**Use when**: Need to swap external dependencies, multiple entry points
###