# Domain Modeling

> Build and sharpen a project's domain model. Use when the user wants to pin down domain terminology or a ubiquitous language, record an architectural decision, or when another skill needs to maintain the domain model.

- Skill: `zenobi-us/domain-modeling` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 4 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add zenobi-us/domain-modeling`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/zenobi-us/domain-modeling/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: AI & ML
- Author: zenobi-us (https://skillmd.com/u/zenobi-us)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/zenobi-us/domain-modeling

---


## Language

All agent-authored prose MUST follow **ASD-STE100 Simplified Technical English**. Apply it to questions, explanations, recommendations, issue text, reports, handoffs, and procedures.

- Use short, complete sentences and active voice.
- Use one term for one meaning.
- Put conditions before commands.
- Use imperative sentences for procedures.
- Keep code, identifiers, commands, quoted text, product names, and exact domain terms unchanged.
- Use the `simple-english` skill for the full rule set.

# Domain Modeling

Before reading or writing domain artifacts, follow [ALIGNMENT-ROOT.md](../../ALIGNMENT-ROOT.md). Every structure below is rooted at the active alignment root.

Actively build and sharpen the project's domain model as you design. This is the *active* discipline — challenging terms, inventing edge-case scenarios, and writing the glossary and decisions down the moment they crystallise. (Merely *reading* `CONTEXT.md` for vocabulary is not this skill — that's a one-line habit any skill can do. This skill is for when you're changing the model, not just consuming it.)

Inspect source code and committed domain artifacts when you check the model. Treat issue tracker content as planning input, not as codebase truth.

## File structure

Most repos have a single context:

```
/
├── CONTEXT.md
├── docs/
│   └── adr/
│       ├── 0001-event-sourced-orders.md
│       └── 0002-postgres-for-write-model.md
└── src/
```

If a `CONTEXT-MAP.md` exists at the root, the repo has multiple contexts. The map points to where each one lives:

```
/
├── CONTEXT-MAP.md
├── docs/
│   └── adr/                          ← system-wide decisions
├── src/
│   ├── ordering/
│   │   ├── CONTEXT.md
│   │   └── docs/adr/                 ← context-specific decisions
│   └── billing/
│       ├── CONTEXT.md
│       └── docs/adr/
```

Create files lazily — only when you have something to write. If no `CONTEXT.md` exists, create one when the first term is resolved. If no `docs/adr/` exists, create it when the first ADR is needed.

## During the session

### Challenge against the glossary

When the user uses a term that conflicts with the existing language in `CONTEXT.md`, call it out immediately. "Your glossary defines 'cancellation' as X, but you seem to mean Y — which is it?"

### Sharpen fuzzy language

When the user uses vague or overloaded terms, propose a precise canonical term. "You're saying 'account' — do you mean the Customer or the User? Those are different things."

### Discuss concrete scenarios

When domain relationships are being discussed, stress-test them with specific scenarios. Invent scenarios that probe edge cases and force the user to be precise about the boundaries between concepts.

### Cross-reference with code

When the user states how something works, check whether the code agrees. If you find a contradiction, surface it: "Your code cancels entire Orders, but you just said partial cancellation is possible — which is right?"

### Update CONTEXT.md inline

When a term is resolved, update `CONTEXT.md` right there. Don't batch these up — capture them as they happen. Use the format in [CONTEXT-FORMAT.md](./CONTEXT-FORMAT.md).

`CONTEXT.md` should be totally devoid of implementation details. Do not treat `CONTEXT.md` as a spec, a scratch pad, or a repository for implementation decisions. It is a glossary and nothing else.

### Offer ADRs sparingly

Only offer to create an ADR when all three are true:

1. **Hard to reverse** — the cost of changing your mind later is meaningful
2. **Surprising without context** — a future reader will wonder "why did they do it this way?"
3. **The result of a real trade-off** — there were genuine alternatives and you picked one for specific reasons

If any of the three is missing, skip the ADR. Use the format in [ADR-FORMAT.md](./ADR-FORMAT.md).

## Local repository rules

Before reading or writing workflow or domain artifacts:

1. Follow [ALIGNMENT-ROOT.md](../../ALIGNMENT-ROOT.md).
2. Resolve alignment paths against `ALIGNMENT_ROOT`.
3. Keep source code and ordinary project files relative to `repository-root`.
4. Do not silently mix alignment roots.
5. All agent-authored prose MUST follow ASD-STE100 Simplified Technical English.