Architecture Decision Records (ADR) - Document Why, Not Just What | Archyl

Link architecture decisions directly to C4 elements. Track the why behind every architecture choice with structured ADRs.

Architecture Decision Records

Document Every Architecture Decision with Context

Architecture Decision Records in Archyl are linked directly to C4 model elements, providing traceable context for every decision. Know not just what your system looks like, but why it was designed that way.

Architecture Decision Records (ADR) | Archyl

Link ADRs to C4 model elements for traceable architecture decisions. Document the why behind your system design with structured, searchable records.

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Decisions are lost in Slack and meetings

Critical architecture decisions are made in Slack threads, Zoom calls, and whiteboard sessions. Months later, nobody remembers why the system works this way.

No link between decisions and architecture

Even when ADRs exist in wikis, they are disconnected from the architecture diagrams. You cannot see which elements are affected by which decisions.

Past decisions get relitigated

Without accessible records, new team members question or redo past decisions, wasting engineering time and creating confusion.

Create an ADR in Archyl

Document the decision, context, options considered, and the chosen approach using the structured ADR editor.

Connect the ADR to the specific systems, containers, or components it affects. The decision becomes part of the element's context.

Browse decisions on any element

Click any C4 element to see all linked ADRs. Understand why it exists, why it was designed this way, and what alternatives were considered.

Query ADRs with AI assistants

Use the MCP server to ask AI assistants about past decisions: 'Why did we choose PostgreSQL?' 'What alternatives were considered for the auth service?'

ADRs Linked to C4 Elements

Every ADR is connected to the architecture elements it affects. Navigate from diagram to decision seamlessly.

Decision Lifecycle Tracking

Track ADR status: proposed, accepted, deprecated, superseded. See the evolution of decisions over time.

Searchable Decision History

Find past decisions by keyword, element, date, or status. Never lose track of why something was built a certain way.

AI-Queryable Decisions

MCP server tools let AI assistants query ADRs. New team members get instant answers about architectural rationale.

Technology Selection Decisions

Document why you chose specific databases, frameworks, or cloud services. Link the ADR to the containers that use them.

Security Architecture Choices

Record security-critical decisions and link them to trust boundaries and data-handling components.

Migration & Deprecation Plans

Document migration decisions and link them to the systems being migrated or deprecated.

Give every architecture decision a permanent home

Structured ADRs linked to C4 elements. Never lose the context behind your architecture decisions.