mcouthon/consolidate-task

Summarize Task to Architectural Decision Record

Read the task file at .tasks/{task-folder}/task.md and create an architecture decision summary.

When to Create an ADR

Not every completed task needs an ADR. ADRs document architectural decisions, not implementation work.

Skip ADR entirely when:

• Task adds a minor feature within existing patterns
• Task fixes bugs or refines implementation details
• Task is routine maintenance or cleanup
• Changes follow conventions already documented elsewhere

Update existing ADR when:

• Task extends or modifies patterns documented in a prior ADR
• Task adds significant new component to an existing architectural area
• Changes affect how future developers should approach that area

Create new ADR when:

• Task introduces new architectural patterns
• Task reverses or significantly modifies a prior decision
• Task establishes new conventions for the codebase

When updating, add an entry to the "Updates" table and integrate changes into relevant sections.

File Naming

Required format: ADR-NNN-{decision-name}.md

1. Scan docs/architecture/ for existing ADR-* files
2. Check if any existing ADR covers the same architectural area (update if so)
3. For new ADRs: find the highest number (e.g., ADR-003-* → next is 004)
4. Start at 001 if no ADR files exist
5. Save to: docs/architecture/ADR-NNN-{decision-name}.md

Example: ADR-004-unified-query-execution.md

Output Format

# {Decision Title}

**Source:** Task {NNN} ({Month Year})

## Decision

One sentence describing the high-level architectural choice.

## Why

- Bullet points explaining the motivation
- Focus on problems solved, not implementation details

## Problem Statement (if applicable)

What issue prompted this change? What was broken or suboptimal?

## Solution

Brief description with before/after comparison:

### Before

{Old approach - can include diagrams or code}

### After

{New approach - can include diagrams or code}

## Implementation Phases

| Phase     | What Changed       |
| --------- | ------------------ |
| 1. {Name} | {One-line summary} |
| ...       | ...                |

## Key Architectural Patterns

Include 2-3 code snippets showing the most important patterns established.
Only patterns that future developers need to understand and follow.

## Current Structure

```
relevant/directory/
├── file1.py # Brief purpose
├── file2.py # Brief purpose
```

## Deleted

- List of deleted files/code (shows what was replaced)

## Updates (for existing ADRs only)

| Date         | Task  | Summary                              |
| ------------ | ----- | ------------------------------------ |
| {Month Year} | {NNN} | One-line description of what changed |

Guidelines

1. High-level only — Skip implementation details that don't affect architecture
2. Focus on patterns — What should future code follow?
3. Include deletions — Shows what was replaced, not just what was added
4. Code examples — Only for patterns that repeat across the codebase
5. Keep it scannable — Tables and bullets over paragraphs

After Saving

1. Update docs/architecture/README.md (create if missing with a decisions table)
2. Delete or archive the original task folder
3. If updating an existing ADR: add entry to the Updates table at the bottom