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ADR-000: Use Architecture Decision Records

Status

Accepted

Date

2026-03-22

Context

As TFDrift-Falco grows in complexity (multi-cloud support, enterprise security features, Kubernetes deployment), architectural decisions are being made that have long-term consequences. Without a formal record, the reasoning behind decisions is lost, making it difficult for new contributors to understand design choices and for the team to revisit decisions when circumstances change.

Decision

We will use Architecture Decision Records (ADRs) following the Michael Nygard format to document significant architectural decisions. ADRs will be stored in docs/adr/ and numbered sequentially. Each ADR captures the context, decision, and consequences of a choice.

Consequences

Positive

  • Architectural decisions are documented with their rationale
  • New contributors can understand why things are built a certain way
  • Decisions can be revisited when the original context changes
  • Creates a decision log that serves as project history

Negative

  • Adds a small overhead to the development process for significant decisions
  • Requires discipline to write ADRs before or shortly after making decisions

Neutral

  • ADRs are immutable once accepted; new decisions create new ADRs rather than modifying old ones