| name | c3 |
| description | Use when project needs C3 adoption (no .c3/) or auditing existing C3 docs. Triggers: "adopt C3", "onboard", "scaffold", "audit", "validate", "check C3", "init". NOT for navigation (use c3-query) or changes (use c3-alter). |
C3 Architecture Assistant
Skill Routing
| Intent | Skill |
|---|---|
| "Where is X?" / Explore | c3-query |
| "Add/change X" | c3-alter |
| "Audit C3" | This skill |
No .c3/ exists |
This skill (Adopt) |
REQUIRED: Check Activation
Before proceeding, check if .c3/README.md exists.
- If NO
.c3/: This is Mode: Adopt. Suggest/onboardor proceed with adoption. - If YES
.c3/: Route based on intent (Audit stays here, others route to dedicated skills).
ADR Lifecycle
proposed → accepted → implemented
See references/adr-template.md for template.
Mode: Adopt
Template-first approach. Two rounds:
Round 1: Structure (User runs bash)
PROJECT="MyApp" C1="backend" C2="frontend" ./scripts/c3-init.sh
Creates:
.c3/
├── README.md (Context)
├── c3-1-backend/README.md (Container)
├── c3-2-frontend/README.md (Container)
└── adr/adr-00000000-c3-adoption.md (ADR)
Round 2: Fill (AI subagent)
Dispatch subagent to analyze codebase and fill templates:
Context (c3-0):
- Analyze codebase for actors (users, schedulers, webhooks)
- Confirm containers match code structure
- Identify external systems (databases, APIs, caches)
- Draw mermaid diagram with IDs (A1, c3-1, E1, etc.)
- Fill linkages with REASONING (why they connect)
Each Container (c3-N):
- Analyze container scope for components
- Categorize by concern:
- Foundation: entry, identity, integration
- Auxiliary: library wrappers, framework usage, utilities
- Business: domain services
- Presentation: styling, composition, state (or N/A)
- Draw internal mermaid diagram with component IDs
- Fill fulfillment section (which components handle Context links)
- Fill linkages with REASONING
ADR-000:
- Document why C3 was adopted
- List all containers created
- Mark verification checklist
Reference: See references/container-patterns.md for component categorization patterns.
Subagent Prompt Template
You are filling C3 templates for {{PROJECT}}.
Templates are already in place at .c3/. Your job:
1. Analyze codebase
2. Fill inventory tables
3. Create mermaid diagrams with IDs
4. Add linkages with reasoning
Rules:
- Diagram goes FIRST, uses IDs from tables
- Every linkage needs REASONING (why, not just that)
- Foundation/Auxiliary/Business/Presentation categories
- Fulfillment section maps Context links to components
- Keep structure, fill content
Mode: Design
Defer to c3-alter skill for all architecture and code changes.
c3-alter enforces ADR-first workflow with impact discovery.
Mode: Audit
REQUIRED: Load references/audit-checks.md for comprehensive audit procedures.
Quick reference scopes:
audit C3- full systemaudit container c3-1- single containeraudit adr adr-YYYYMMDD-slug- single ADR
The reference contains detailed checks for:
- Diagram-inventory consistency
- ID uniqueness
- Linkage reasoning
- Fulfillment coverage
- Orphan detection
Guidelines
- Diagram first, tables second, linkages third
- Every linkage needs reasoning
- Container fulfills Context links (documents constraints)
- Component documents implementation (technology, conventions, edge cases)
- Inventory ready for growth (empty sections OK)