# Decision First Development Workflow > This approach describes how to systematically capture architectural decisions throughout the development lifecycle, integrating decision rationale with artifacts to preserve "why" knowledge for fut... Use when this capability is needed. - Skill: `tomevault-io/decision-first-development-workflow` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files) - Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add tomevault-io/decision-first-development-workflow` - Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/tomevault-io/decision-first-development-workflow/raw - Safety review: pending - Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex - Category: AI & ML - Author: tomevault-io (https://skillmd.com/u/tomevault-io) - Updated: 2026-09-17 - Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/tomevault-io/decision-first-development-workflow --- # Decision-First Development Workflow This approach describes how to systematically capture architectural decisions throughout the development lifecycle, integrating decision rationale with artifacts to preserve "why" knowledge for fut... ## Instructions This approach describes how to systematically capture architectural decisions throughout the development lifecycle, integrating decision rationale with artifacts to preserve "why" knowledge for future contributors and AI agents. It implements the traceable decision patterns established in ADR-017. ## Principles 1. Decision Visibility 2. Flow State Respect 3. Bidirectional Linking 4. Progressive Fidelity 5. Agent Awareness ## When to Use - Making architectural choices that will affect multiple components - Evaluating trade-offs between alternative implementations - Establishing conventions or patterns for the codebase - Working with AI agents on complex features requiring context - Onboarding new contributors who need to understand rationale --- > Converted and distributed by [TomeVault](https://tomevault.io/claim/sddevelopment-be) — claim your Tome and manage your conversions.