Read /standardizing-typescript-architecture before reviewing any ADR. It defines the canonical ADR sections, how testability appears in Compliance rules, and what does NOT belong in an ADR.
If you're reviewing ADRs for a spec-tree work item (enabler/outcome), ensure complete architectural context is loaded:
- Invoke
spec-tree:contextualizingwith the node path - Verify all ancestor ADRs/PDRs are loaded -- must check for consistency with decision hierarchy
- Verify ADR references ancestor decisions -- node ADRs should reference relevant ancestor ADRs/PDRs
The spec-tree:contextualizing skill provides:
- Complete ADR/PDR hierarchy (product and ancestor decisions at all levels)
- TRD with technical requirements
- Target node spec with typed assertions
Review focus:
- Does ADR contradict any ancestor ADR/PDR decisions?
- Does ADR Compliance section include testability constraints (DI, no mocking)?
- Does ADR use only the authoritative sections (no phantom sections)?
- Does ADR honor atemporal voice in ALL sections?
- Does ADR document trade-offs and consequences?
If NOT working on spec-tree work item: Proceed directly with ADR review using provided architectural decision.
- Read
/standardizing-typescript-architecturefor canonical conventions - Verify an ADR exists. If the module makes architectural decisions (module layout, library choice, DI patterns) without an ADR, the absence is the violation — REJECT immediately. Do not treat missing ADRs as N/A.
- Read the ADR completely
- Check section structure -- only authoritative sections allowed (Purpose, Context, Decision, Rationale, Trade-offs accepted, Invariants, Compliance). Flag phantom sections (Testing Strategy, Status, etc.)
- Check EVERY section for temporal language -- reject any reference to current code, existing files, or migration plans
- Check Compliance section -- must include testability constraints as MUST/NEVER rules; must NOT include level assignment tables
- Check for mocking language -- reject vi.mock(), jest.mock(), "mock at boundary" in any section
- Identify all violations and classify per concern
- Output structured verdict -- APPROVED or REJECTED with per-concern table
These are real failures from past audits. Study them to avoid repeating them.
Approved code that passed linters but had a design flaw. The auditor trusted the tooling output (Phase 1 equivalent) and skimmed the Compliance section. The ADR mandated DI for all external calls, but the Compliance rules were so vague ("use good practices") that they couldn't catch anything. A Compliance rule that cannot falsify non-conforming code is not a rule.
Rejected an ADR for a false positive. The auditor flagged a parameter in a DI interface as "dead code" because it wasn't used in the example. The parameter was required by a Protocol contract that other implementations relied on. Before flagging dead parameters in interfaces, check if the interface is implemented elsewhere.
Missed mocking hidden behind DI. The ADR said "dependency injection" but described injecting vi.fn() as the controlled implementation. This is still mocking -- DI is the delivery mechanism, but vi.fn() is a mock. Correct DI injects a controlled real implementation (a simple function or object), not a mock framework spy.
Distracted by style while missing a logic flaw. The auditor spent review time on naming conventions and formatting while a branch condition in the Compliance rules was inverted -- the MUST and NEVER were swapped. Comprehension (understanding what the ADR actually says) must come before style concerns.
Accepted temporal language because it was in the Rationale section. The auditor assumed Rationale was exempt from atemporal voice because it explains "why." It is not exempt. "After evaluating options, we decided..." narrates decision history. Atemporal: "X was rejected because Y violates Z."
Flagged a phantom section but missed the real problem. The auditor correctly rejected a Testing Strategy section but didn't check whether the Compliance section had equivalent testability constraints. Removing a phantom section is not enough -- the testability constraints must appear somewhere in the ADR (in Compliance).
All canonical conventions are in /standardizing-typescript-architecture. Read it first. The audit checks these specific concerns:
1. Section structure -- Only authoritative sections from the ADR template. See <adr_sections> in /standardizing-typescript-architecture for the complete list. Flag any section not in that list.
2. Testability in Compliance -- The Compliance section must include MUST/NEVER rules that enable appropriate testing. See <testability_in_compliance> in /standardizing-typescript-architecture for the correct pattern. Level assignment tables and Testing Strategy sections are violations.
3. Atemporal voice -- ADRs state architectural truth in ALL sections. See <atemporal_voice> in /standardizing-typescript-architecture for temporal patterns to reject and rewrite examples.
4. Mocking prohibition -- No mocking language anywhere in the ADR. See <di_patterns> in /standardizing-typescript-architecture for what to check and correct ADR language.
5. Level accuracy -- When the Compliance section references testing levels, verify against /testing definitions. See <level_context> in /standardizing-typescript-architecture. Key rule: SaaS services jump L1 to L3 (no Level 2).
6. Anti-patterns -- Check for content that does not belong in an ADR. See <anti_patterns> in /standardizing-typescript-architecture for the full table.
# ARCHITECTURE REVIEW
**Decision:** [APPROVED | REJECTED]
## Verdict
| # | Concern | Status | Detail |
| - | --------------------- | ----------------- | ----------------- |
| 1 | Section structure | {PASS/REJECT} | {one-line detail} |
| 2 | Testability in Compl. | {PASS/REJECT} | {one-line detail} |
| 3 | Atemporal voice | {PASS/REJECT} | {one-line detail} |
| 4 | Mocking prohibition | {PASS/REJECT} | {one-line detail} |
| 5 | Level accuracy | {PASS/REJECT} | {one-line detail} |
| 6 | Anti-patterns | {PASS/REJECT} | {one-line detail} |
| 7 | Ancestor consistency | {PASS/REJECT/N/A} | {one-line detail} |
---
## Violations
### {Violation name}
**Where:** {Section name or quoted text identifying the location}
**Concern:** {Which concern from the verdict table}
**Why this fails:** {Direct explanation}
**Correct approach:**
```typescript
{Show what the architecture should be}
```
---
{Repeat for each violation}
---
## Required Changes
{Concise list of what must change}
---
## References
- /standardizing-typescript-architecture: {section name}
- /testing: {section name if applicable}
---
{If REJECTED: "Revise and resubmit."}
{If APPROVED: "Architecture meets standards."}
Don't:
- Reference specific line numbers (they change) -- use section names or quoted text
- Provide grep commands -- focus on principles, not tooling
- Explain the same principle multiple times -- be concise
- Approve an ADR just because it removed a phantom section -- check that testability constraints moved to Compliance
Do:
- Reference
/standardizing-typescript-architecturesection names (e.g.,<testability_in_compliance>,<atemporal_voice>) - Reference
/testingsection names for level rules (e.g., "Stage 2 Five Factors") - Show correct architecture with code or markdown examples
- Be direct about violations
- Reject temporal language in ANY section -- Context, Decision, Rationale, Compliance
- Show the atemporal rewrite alongside each temporal violation
- Read
/standardizing-typescript-architecturebefore starting review - Checked section structure against authoritative ADR template
- Checked ALL sections for temporal language -- Context, Decision, Rationale, Compliance
- Verified Compliance section includes testability constraints (MUST/NEVER for DI, no mocking)
- Verified no phantom sections (Testing Strategy, Status, etc.)
- Verified no mocking language anywhere in ADR
- Verified ADR never names files to delete or code to replace
- Structured verdict table with per-concern status
- Correct approach shown with code examples for each violation
- Required changes listed concisely
- Decision clearly stated (APPROVED/REJECTED)