The Claude Software Architect Skill activates senior architect mode: systems design, explicit trade-offs, ADRs (Architecture Decision Records), stack evaluation.
What it does
- System design (monolith vs microservices).
- ADRs with context, decision and consequences.
- Stack evaluation (Postgres vs DynamoDB, etc).
- Capacity planning and scalability.
When to activate
- New complex feature.
- Major migration or refactor.
- Evaluating new cloud provider.
Limitations
- Without real stack access, outputs are hypotheses.
- Trade-offs need validation with real PoCs.
FAQ
Does it replace the CTO?
No. Accelerates technical analysis and ADRs, not executive responsibility.
Combines with Senior Developer Skill?
Yes. Architect defines the what, Dev defines the how.
