Build better enterprise architecture through structured governance, vendor procurement, and design review workflows.
ArcKit is a toolkit for enterprise architects that transforms architecture governance from scattered documents into a systematic, AI-assisted workflow for:
- 🏛️ Establishing and enforcing architecture principles
- 👥 Analyzing stakeholder drivers, goals, and outcomes
- 🛡️ Risk management (HM Treasury Orange Book)
- 💼 Business case justification (HM Treasury Green Book SOBC)
- 📋 Creating comprehensive requirements documents
- 🗄️ Data modeling with ERD, GDPR compliance, and data governance
- 🔬 Technology research with build vs buy analysis (web search powered)
- 🗺️ Strategic planning with Wardley Mapping
- 📊 Generating visual architecture diagrams (Mermaid)
- 🤝 Managing vendor RFP and selection processes
- ✅ Conducting formal design reviews (HLD/DLD)
- 🔧 ServiceNow service management design
- 🔗 Maintaining requirements traceability
Install ArcKit CLI:
# Install with pip
pip install git+https://github.com/tractorjuice/arc-kit.git
# Or with uv
uv tool install arckit-cli --from git+https://github.com/tractorjuice/arc-kit.git
# Or run without installing
uvx --from git+https://github.com/tractorjuice/arc-kit.git arckit init my-projectLatest Release: v0.9.1
# Create a new architecture governance project
arckit init payment-modernization --ai claude
# Or use OpenAI Codex CLI
arckit init payment-modernization --ai codex
# Or initialize in current directory
arckit init . --ai claudecd payment-modernization
claude # or your chosen AI assistant
# Inside your AI assistant, use ArcKit commands:
/arckit.principles Create principles for a financial services company
/arckit.requirements Build a payment processing system...
/arckit.sow Generate RFP for vendor selectionPublic demonstration repositories showcase complete ArcKit deliverables:
- NHS Appointment Booking — arckit-test-project-v7-nhs-appointment: Digital health platform with NHS Spine integration and GDPR safeguards.
- M365 GCC-H Migration — arckit-test-project-v1-m365: Government cloud migration with compliance mapping and change management.
- HMRC Tax Assistant — arckit-test-project-v2-hmrc-chatbot: Conversational AI service covering PII protection and bilingual support.
- Windows 11 Deployment — arckit-test-project-v3-windows11: Enterprise OS rollout with policy migration and security baselines.
- Patent Application System — arckit-test-project-v6-patent-system: Intellectual property workflow automation using GOV.UK Pay and Notify.
- ONS Data Platform — arckit-test-project-v8-ons-data-platform: Official statistics analytics environment with Five Safes governance.
- Cabinet Office GenAI Platform — arckit-test-project-v8-cabinet-office-genai: Cross-government GenAI platform with responsible AI guardrails.
Traditional enterprise architecture suffers from:
- ❌ Scattered documents across tools (Word, Confluence, PowerPoint)
- ❌ Inconsistent governance enforcement
- ❌ Manual vendor evaluation with bias
- ❌ Lost traceability between requirements and design
- ❌ Stale documentation that doesn't match reality
ArcKit provides:
- ✅ Template-Driven Quality: Comprehensive templates ensure nothing is forgotten
- ✅ Systematic Workflows: Clear processes from requirements → procurement → design review
- ✅ AI Assistance: Let AI handle document generation, you focus on decisions
- ✅ Enforced Traceability: Automatic gap detection and coverage analysis
- ✅ Version Control: Git-based workflow for all architecture artifacts
ArcKit includes dedicated commands for UK public sector delivery:
/arckit.tcop— Assess all 13 Technology Code of Practice points across delivery phases./arckit.ai-playbook— Produce responsible AI assessments aligned to the UK Government AI Playbook and ATRS./arckit.secure— Generate Secure by Design artefacts covering NCSC CAF, Cyber Essentials, and UK GDPR controls./arckit.mod-secure— Map MOD Secure by Design requirements (JSP 440, IAMM, clearance pathways)./arckit.jsp-936— Deliver JSP 936 AI assurance packs for defence AI systems.
See the demo repositories for end-to-end examples, especially arckit-test-project-v7-nhs-appointment (civilian services) and arckit-test-project-v8-cabinet-office-genai (AI governance).
ArcKit guides you through the enterprise architecture lifecycle:
/arckit.plan → Create project plan with timeline, phases, and gates
Visualize your entire project delivery:
- GDS Agile Delivery phases (Discovery → Alpha → Beta → Live)
- Mermaid Gantt chart with timeline, dependencies, and milestones
- Workflow diagram showing gates and decision points
- Tailored timeline based on project complexity
- Integration of all ArcKit commands into schedule
- Gate approval criteria for governance
/arckit.principles → Create enterprise architecture principles
Define your organisation's architecture standards:
- Cloud strategy (AWS/Azure/GCP)
- Security frameworks (Zero Trust, compliance)
- Technology standards
- FinOps and cost governance
/arckit.stakeholders → Analyze stakeholder drivers, goals, and outcomes
Do this BEFORE business case to understand who cares about the project and why:
- Identify all stakeholders (internal and external)
- Document underlying drivers (strategic, operational, financial, compliance, risk, personal)
- Map drivers to SMART goals
- Map goals to measurable outcomes
- Create Stakeholder → Driver → Goal → Outcome traceability
- Identify conflicts and synergies
- Define engagement and communication strategies
/arckit.risk → Create comprehensive risk register (Orange Book)
Do this BEFORE business case to identify and assess risks systematically:
- Follow HM Treasury Orange Book 2023 framework
- Identify risks across 6 categories (Strategic, Operational, Financial, Compliance, Reputational, Technology)
- Assess inherent risk (before controls) and residual risk (after controls)
- Apply 4Ts response framework (Tolerate, Treat, Transfer, Terminate)
- Link every risk to stakeholder from RACI matrix
- Monitor risk appetite compliance
- Feed into SOBC Management Case Part E
/arckit.sobc → Create Strategic Outline Business Case (SOBC)
Do this BEFORE requirements to justify investment and secure approval:
- Use HM Treasury Green Book 5-case model (Strategic, Economic, Commercial, Financial, Management)
- Analyze strategic options (Do Nothing, Minimal, Balanced, Comprehensive)
- Map benefits to stakeholder goals (complete traceability)
- Provide high-level cost estimates (Rough Order of Magnitude)
- Economic appraisal (ROI range, payback period)
- Procurement and funding strategy
- Governance and risk management (uses risk register)
- Enable go/no-go decision BEFORE detailed requirements work
/arckit.requirements → Document comprehensive requirements
Create detailed requirements informed by stakeholder goals (if SOBC approved):
- Business requirements with rationale
- Functional requirements with acceptance criteria
- Non-functional requirements (performance, security, scalability, compliance)
- Integration requirements (upstream/downstream systems)
- Data requirements (DR-xxx)
- Success criteria and KPIs
/arckit.platform-design → Design multi-sided platform strategy using Platform Design Toolkit
Use this phase when designing ecosystem-based platforms (Government as a Platform, marketplaces, data platforms):
- Ecosystem Canvas: Map supply side, demand side, supporting entities with relationship diagrams
- Entity-Role Portraits: Deep dive into 3-5 key entities (context, pressures, goals, gains)
- Motivations Matrix: Identify synergies and conflicts across entities with mitigation strategies
- Transactions Board: Design 10-20 transactions with cost reduction analysis (search, information, negotiation, coordination, enforcement)
- Learning Engine Canvas: 5+ services that help participants improve (data, feedback loops, network effects)
- Platform Experience Canvas: Journey maps with business model and unit economics
- MVP Canvas: Liquidity bootstrapping strategy to solve chicken-and-egg problem
- Platform Design Canvas: Synthesize all 8 canvases into cohesive platform strategy
- UK Government Context: Aligns with Government as a Platform (GaaP), TCoP Point 8 (share/reuse), Digital Marketplace
Use Cases: NHS appointment booking, local authority data marketplaces, training procurement platforms, citizen services portals
/arckit.data-model → Create comprehensive data model with ERD
Create data model based on Data Requirements (DR-xxx):
- Visual Entity-Relationship Diagram (ERD) using Mermaid
- Detailed entity catalog with attributes, types, validation rules
- PII identification and GDPR/DPA 2018 compliance
- Data governance matrix (business owners, stewards, custodians)
- CRUD matrix showing component access patterns
- Data integration mapping (upstream sources, downstream consumers)
- Data quality framework with measurable metrics
- Requirements traceability (DR-xxx → Entity → Attribute)
/arckit.dpia → Generate DPIA for UK GDPR Article 35 compliance
MANDATORY for high-risk processing - assess privacy risks before technology selection:
- ICO 9-criteria automated screening (sensitive data, large scale, vulnerable subjects, AI/ML, etc.)
- Auto-populated from data model (entities, PII, special category data, lawful basis)
- Risk assessment focused on impact on individuals (privacy harm, discrimination)
- Data subject rights implementation checklist (SAR, deletion, portability)
- Children's data assessment (age verification, parental consent)
- AI/ML algorithmic processing assessment (bias, explainability, human oversight)
- ICO prior consultation flagging for high residual risks
- International transfer safeguards (SCCs, BCRs, adequacy decisions)
- Bidirectional links to risk register (DPIA-xxx risk IDs)
- Links mitigations to Secure by Design security controls
/arckit.research → Research technology, services, and products
Research available solutions to meet requirements with build vs buy analysis:
- Dynamic category detection from requirements (authentication, payments, databases, etc.)
- Commercial SaaS options with pricing, reviews, and ratings (WebSearch)
- Open source alternatives with GitHub stats and community maturity
- UK Government GOV.UK platforms (One Login, Pay, Notify, Forms)
- Digital Marketplace suppliers (G-Cloud, DOS)
- Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) comparison (3-year)
- Build vs Buy vs Adopt recommendations
- Vendor shortlisting for deeper evaluation
- Integration with Wardley mapping (evolution positioning)
- Feeds into SOBC Economic Case (cost data, options analysis)
/arckit.wardley → Create strategic Wardley Maps
Visualize strategic positioning with:
- Component evolution analysis (Genesis → Custom → Product → Commodity)
- Build vs Buy decision framework
- Vendor comparison and procurement strategy
- UK Government Digital Marketplace mapping
- Evolution predictions and strategic gameplay
/arckit.roadmap → Create multi-year architecture roadmap
Create strategic roadmap for multi-year transformation programs:
- Multi-year timeline: 3-5 year roadmap with Mermaid Gantt chart aligned to financial years (FY 2024/25, etc.)
- Strategic themes: Cloud migration, data modernization, security & compliance, DevOps transformation
- Capability evolution: Maturity progression from L1 (Initial) to L5 (Optimized) over time
- Investment planning: CAPEX/OPEX budget by financial year, ROI projections, benefits realization
- Governance framework: ARB monthly, Programme Board monthly, Steering Committee quarterly
- Service Standard gates: Alpha/Beta/Live assessment milestones (UK Government)
- Dependencies: Mermaid flowchart showing initiative sequencing and critical path
- Success metrics: Cloud adoption %, technical debt reduction, deployment frequency, time to market
- Traceability: Links roadmap themes to stakeholder drivers, architecture principles, requirements
- UK Government specifics: Spending Review alignment, TCoP compliance timeline, NCSC CAF progression
Use this when: You have a multi-year transformation program with multiple initiatives running in parallel. Roadmaps are strategic (multi-year, multi-initiative, executive communication) vs project plans which are tactical (single initiative, detailed tasks, team execution).
Roadmap feeds into: /arckit.plan for detailed phase execution, /arckit.sobc for investment business case, /arckit.backlog for prioritized user stories.
/arckit.adr → Document architectural decisions
Create Architecture Decision Records (ADRs) following MADR v4.0 format enhanced with UK Government requirements:
- Decision metadata: Sequential numbering (ADR-001, ADR-002), status (Proposed/Accepted/Superseded), escalation level (Team/Cross-team/Department/Cross-government)
- Stakeholder RACI: Deciders (accountable), Consulted (SMEs, two-way), Informed (one-way communication)
- Context and problem statement: Why this decision is needed, business/technical/regulatory drivers
- Decision drivers: Technical forces (performance, security, scalability), business forces (cost, time), compliance forces (GDS Service Standard, TCoP, NCSC, UK GDPR)
- Options analysis: Minimum 2-3 options plus "Do Nothing" baseline, each with pros/cons, cost (CAPEX/OPEX/TCO), GDS Service Standard impact, Wardley evolution stage
- Y-Statement: Structured justification - "In the context of X, facing Y, we decided for Z to achieve A, accepting B"
- Consequences: Positive (benefits, capabilities), Negative (trade-offs, technical debt), Neutral (training, infrastructure), Risks and mitigations
- Validation: How implementation will be verified (design reviews, code reviews, testing, monitoring)
- Traceability: Links to requirements, principles, stakeholders, research, Wardley maps, diagrams, risk register
- UK Government specifics: Escalation levels (Team → Cross-team → Department → Cross-government), governance forums (ARB, TDA, Programme Board), Service Standard/TCoP compliance documentation
Use this when: Making significant architectural decisions that affect system structure, quality attributes, or behavior - technology choices (databases, frameworks, cloud services), integration patterns, security approaches, deployment strategies, data management.
ADR feeds into: /arckit.diagram (architecture diagrams reflect decisions), /arckit.hld-review and /arckit.dld-review (reviews verify decisions implemented), /arckit.traceability (decisions are key traceability artifacts).
/arckit.sow → Generate Statement of Work (RFP)
Create RFP-ready documents with:
- Scope of work and deliverables
- Technical requirements
- Vendor qualifications
- Evaluation criteria
- Contract terms
/arckit.dos → Digital Outcomes and Specialists (DOS) procurement 🇬🇧
For UK public sector organizations needing custom development:
- Generate DOS-compliant procurement documentation
- Extract requirements from project artifacts (BR/FR/NFR/INT/DR)
- Essential vs desirable skills from requirements
- Success criteria (technology-agnostic)
- Evaluation framework (40% Technical, 30% Team, 20% Quality, 10% Value)
- Audit-ready documentation for Digital Marketplace
/arckit.gcloud-search → G-Cloud service search with live marketplace search 🇬🇧
For UK public sector organizations needing off-the-shelf cloud services:
- Generate G-Cloud requirements document
- Live Digital Marketplace search using WebSearch
- Find actual services with suppliers, prices, features, links
- Service comparison table with recommendations
- Shortlist top 3-5 matching services
- Links to Digital Marketplace guidance (gov.uk)
/arckit.gcloud-clarify → G-Cloud service validation and gap analysis 🇬🇧
Validate G-Cloud services and generate supplier clarification questions:
- Systematic gap analysis (MUST/SHOULD requirements vs service descriptions)
- Detect gaps: ✅ Confirmed,
⚠️ Ambiguous, ❌ Not mentioned - Generate prioritised questions (🔴 Critical / 🟠 High / 🔵 Medium / 🟢 Low)
- Risk assessment matrix for each service
- Email templates for supplier engagement
- Evidence requirements specification
- Next steps checklist
/arckit.evaluate → Create vendor evaluation framework
Set up systematic scoring:
- Technical evaluation criteria (100 points)
- Cost evaluation methodology
- Reference check templates
- Decision matrix
/arckit.evaluate (compare mode) → Compare vendor proposals
Side-by-side analysis of:
- Technical approaches
- Cost breakdowns
- Risk assessments
- Value propositions
/arckit.hld-review → Review High-Level Design
Validate designs against:
- Architecture principles compliance
- Requirements coverage
- Security and compliance
- Scalability and resilience
- Operational readiness
/arckit.dld-review → Review Detailed Design
Implementation-ready validation:
- Component specifications
- API contracts (OpenAPI)
- Database schemas
- Security implementation
- Test strategy
/arckit.backlog → Generate prioritised product backlog
Transform requirements into sprint-ready user stories:
- Convert requirements (BR/FR/NFR/INT/DR) to GDS-format user stories
- Multi-factor prioritization (MoSCoW + risk + value + dependencies)
- Organise into sprint plan with capacity balancing
- Generate traceability matrix (requirements → stories → sprints)
- Export to Jira/Azure DevOps (CSV) or custom tools (JSON)
- Time savings: 75%+ (4-6 weeks → 3-5 days)
When to run: After HLD approval, before Sprint 1 (Alpha → Beta transition)
/arckit.servicenow → Generate ServiceNow service design
Bridge architecture to operations:
- CMDB design (derived from architecture diagrams)
- SLA definitions (derived from NFRs)
- Incident management design
- Change management plan
- Monitoring and alerting plan
- Service transition plan
/arckit.traceability → Generate traceability matrix
Ensure complete coverage:
- Requirements → Design mapping
- Design → Test mapping
- Gap analysis and orphan detection
- Change impact tracking
/arckit.analyze → Comprehensive governance quality analysis
Periodically assess governance quality across all artifacts:
- Architecture principles compliance
- Requirements coverage and traceability
- Stakeholder alignment verification
- Risk management completeness
- Design review quality
- Documentation completeness and quality
- Gap identification and recommendations
When to use: Run periodically (before milestones, design reviews, or procurement decisions) to identify gaps and ensure governance standards are maintained.
For UK Government and public sector projects:
/arckit.service-assessment → GDS Service Standard assessment preparation
Prepare for mandatory GDS Service Standard assessments:
- Analyze evidence against all 14 Service Standard points
- Identify gaps for alpha, beta, or live assessments
- Generate RAG (Red/Amber/Green) ratings and overall readiness score
- Provide actionable recommendations with priorities and timelines
- Include assessment day preparation guidance
- Map ArcKit artifacts to Service Standard evidence requirements
Run at end of Discovery (for alpha prep), mid-Beta (for beta prep), or before Live to ensure readiness.
/arckit.tcop → Technology Code of Practice assessment
Assess compliance with all 13 TCoP points:
- Point 1: Define user needs
- Point 2: Make things accessible
- Point 3: Be open and use open source
- Point 4: Make use of open standards
- Point 5: Use cloud first
- Point 6: Make things secure
- Point 7: Make privacy integral
- Point 8: Share, reuse and collaborate
- Point 9: Integrate and adapt technology
- Point 10: Make better use of data
- Point 11: Define your purchasing strategy
- Point 12: Meet the Digital Spend Controls
- Point 13: Define your responsible AI use
/arckit.secure → UK Government Secure by Design assessment
Security compliance assessment:
- NCSC Cloud Security Principles
- NCSC Cyber Assessment Framework (CAF)
- Cyber Essentials / Cyber Essentials Plus
- UK GDPR and DPA 2018 compliance
- Security architecture review
- Threat modeling
/arckit.ai-playbook → AI Playbook compliance (for AI systems)
Responsible AI assessment:
- AI ethics principles
- Transparency and explainability
- Fairness and bias mitigation
- Data governance for AI
- Human oversight mechanisms
- Impact assessment
/arckit.atrs → Algorithmic Transparency Recording Standard
Generate ATRS record for algorithmic decision-making:
- Algorithm details and logic
- Purpose and use case
- Data sources and data quality
- Performance metrics and monitoring
- Impact assessment and mitigation
For MOD Projects:
/arckit.mod-secure → MOD Secure by Design assessment
MOD-specific security compliance:
- JSP 440 (Defence Project & Programme Management)
- Information Assurance Maturity Model (IAMM)
- MOD Security clearances and vetting
- STRAP classification handling
- Security Operating Procedures (SyOPs)
- Supplier attestation requirements
/arckit.jsp-936 → MOD JSP 936 AI Assurance Documentation
For defence projects using AI/ML systems:
- JSP 936 (Dependable Artificial Intelligence in Defence)
- 5 Ethical Principles (Human-Centricity, Responsibility, Understanding, Bias & Harm Mitigation, Reliability)
- 5 Risk Classification Levels (Critical to Minor)
- 8 AI Lifecycle Phases (Planning to Quality Assurance)
- Approval pathways (2PUS/Ministerial → Defence-Level → TLB-Level)
- RAISOs and Ethics Manager governance
- Human-AI teaming strategy and continuous monitoring
/arckit.story → Generate comprehensive project story
Create narrative historical record with complete timeline analysis:
- Timeline Analysis: 4 visualization types (Gantt chart, linear flowchart, detailed table, phase duration pie chart)
- Timeline Metrics: Project duration, velocity, phase analysis, critical path identification
- Complete Timeline: All events from git log or file modification dates with days-from-start
- 8 Narrative Chapters: Foundation → Business Case → Requirements → Research → Procurement → Design → Delivery → Compliance
- Traceability Demonstration: End-to-end chains with Mermaid diagrams showing stakeholder → goals → requirements → stories → sprints
- Governance Achievements: Showcase compliance (TCoP, Service Standard, NCSC CAF), risk management, decision rationale
- Strategic Context: Wardley Map insights, build vs buy decisions, vendor selection rationale
- Lessons Learned: Pacing analysis, timeline deviations, recommendations for future projects
- Comprehensive Appendices: Artifact register, chronological activity log, DSM, command reference, glossary
When to use: At project milestones or completion to create shareable story for stakeholders, leadership, or portfolio reporting. Perfect for demonstrating systematic governance and ArcKit workflow value.
| Agent | Support | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Claude Code | ✅ | Recommended |
| OpenAI Codex CLI | ✅ | ChatGPT Plus/Pro/Enterprise (Setup Guide) |
| Gemini CLI | ✅ |
For OpenAI Codex CLI users, commands use the /prompts: format:
# Set CODEX_HOME to use project-specific commands
export CODEX_HOME="$(pwd)/.codex"
codex --auto
# Then use ArcKit commands
/prompts:arckit.principles Create principles for financial services
/prompts:arckit.stakeholders Analyze stakeholders for cloud migration
/prompts:arckit.requirements Create comprehensive requirementsSee .codex/README.md for full Codex CLI setup and usage.
ArcKit creates this structure:
payment-modernization/
├── .arckit/
│ ├── memory/
│ │ └── architecture-principles.md # Global principles
│ ├── scripts/
│ │ └── bash/ # Automation scripts
│ └── templates/ # Document templates
├── projects/
│ └── 001-payment-gateway/
│ ├── stakeholder-drivers.md # Stakeholder analysis
│ ├── risk-register.md # Risk register (Orange Book)
│ ├── sobc.md # Strategic Outline Business Case
│ ├── requirements.md # Comprehensive requirements
│ ├── data-model.md # Data model with ERD, GDPR compliance
│ ├── wardley-maps/ # Strategic Wardley Maps
│ │ ├── current-state.md # Current architecture positioning
│ │ ├── future-state.md # Target architecture vision
│ │ ├── gap-analysis.md # Current vs future comparison
│ │ └── procurement-strategy.md # Build vs buy decisions
│ ├── sow.md # Statement of Work (RFP)
│ ├── evaluation-criteria.md # Vendor evaluation framework
│ ├── vendors/
│ │ ├── acme-corp/
│ │ │ ├── proposal.pdf
│ │ │ ├── scoring.md
│ │ │ ├── hld-v1.md
│ │ │ └── reviews/
│ │ │ └── hld-v1-review.md
│ │ ├── beta-systems/
│ │ │ └── ...
│ │ └── comparison.md
│ ├── servicenow-design.md # Service management design
│ ├── traceability-matrix.md
│ └── final/
│ ├── selected-vendor.md
│ ├── approved-hld.md
│ └── dld/
└── .claude/commands/ # AI assistant commands
| Command | Purpose | Output |
|---|---|---|
/arckit.principles |
Establish architecture governance | memory/architecture-principles.md |
/arckit.stakeholders |
Analyze stakeholder drivers, goals, and outcomes | projects/XXX/stakeholder-drivers.md |
/arckit.risk |
Create comprehensive risk register (Orange Book) | projects/XXX/risk-register.md |
/arckit.sobc |
Create Strategic Outline Business Case (Green Book 5-case) | projects/XXX/sobc.md |
/arckit.requirements |
Define comprehensive requirements | projects/XXX/requirements.md |
/arckit.platform-design |
Design multi-sided platform strategy using Platform Design Toolkit (8 PDT canvases) | projects/XXX/platform-design.md |
/arckit.data-model |
Create data model with ERD, GDPR compliance, data governance | projects/XXX/data-model.md |
/arckit.research |
Research technology, services, and products with build vs buy analysis | projects/XXX/research-findings.md |
/arckit.wardley |
Create strategic Wardley Maps for build vs buy and procurement strategy | projects/XXX/wardley-maps/{map-name}.md |
/arckit.roadmap |
Create multi-year strategic architecture roadmap with capability evolution and governance | projects/XXX/roadmap.md |
/arckit.adr |
Document architectural decisions with MADR v4.0 format and UK Government compliance | projects/XXX/decisions/ADR-{NUM}-{title}.md |
/arckit.sow |
Generate vendor RFP | projects/XXX/sow.md |
/arckit.dos |
Generate Digital Outcomes and Specialists (DOS) procurement docs for UK Digital Marketplace | projects/XXX/procurement/dos-requirements.md |
/arckit.gcloud-search |
Search G-Cloud services on UK Digital Marketplace with live WebSearch | projects/XXX/procurement/gcloud-requirements.md |
/arckit.gcloud-clarify |
Validate G-Cloud services and generate supplier clarification questions | projects/XXX/procurement/gcloud-clarification-questions.md |
| Command | Purpose | Output |
|---|---|---|
/arckit.backlog |
Generate prioritised product backlog - convert requirements to GDS user stories, organise into sprints | projects/XXX/backlog.md (+ optional CSV/JSON) |
| Command | Purpose | Output |
|---|---|---|
/arckit.evaluate |
Create evaluation framework and score vendors | projects/XXX/evaluation-criteria.md, projects/XXX/vendor-comparison.md |
| Command | Purpose | Output |
|---|---|---|
/arckit.hld-review |
Review high-level design | projects/XXX/vendors/[vendor]/reviews/hld-review.md |
/arckit.dld-review |
Review detailed design | projects/XXX/vendors/[vendor]/reviews/dld-review.md |
| Command | Purpose | Output |
|---|---|---|
/arckit.diagram |
Generate visual architecture diagrams using Mermaid (C4, deployment, sequence, data flow) | projects/XXX/diagrams/{diagram-type}-{name}.md |
| Command | Purpose | Output |
|---|---|---|
/arckit.servicenow |
Generate ServiceNow service design (CMDB, SLAs, incident/change management, monitoring) | projects/XXX/servicenow-design.md |
| Command | Purpose | Output |
|---|---|---|
/arckit.traceability |
Generate traceability matrix | projects/XXX/traceability-matrix.md |
| Command | Purpose | Output |
|---|---|---|
/arckit.analyze |
Comprehensive governance quality analysis across all artifacts | projects/XXX/analysis-report.md |
| Command | Purpose | Output |
|---|---|---|
/arckit.service-assessment |
Prepare for GDS Service Standard assessment - analyze evidence against 14 points, identify gaps, generate readiness report | projects/XXX/service-assessment-{phase}-prep.md |
/arckit.tcop |
Comprehensive Technology Code of Practice assessment (all 13 points, Digital Spend Controls) | projects/XXX/tcop-review.md |
/arckit.ai-playbook |
Assess AI Playbook compliance for responsible AI | projects/XXX/ai-playbook-assessment.md |
/arckit.atrs |
Generate Algorithmic Transparency Recording Standard (ATRS) record | projects/XXX/atrs-record.md |
| Command | Purpose | Output |
|---|---|---|
/arckit.secure |
UK Government Secure by Design assessment (NCSC CAF, Cyber Essentials, UK GDPR) | projects/XXX/ukgov-secure-by-design.md |
/arckit.mod-secure |
MOD Secure by Design assessment (JSP 440, IAMM, security clearances) | projects/XXX/mod-secure-by-design.md |
/arckit.jsp-936 |
MOD JSP 936 AI assurance documentation for defence AI/ML systems | projects/XXX/jsp-936-assessment.md |
ArcKit uses Wardley Maps to expose the strategic position of every component before you commit to a solution. The /arckit.wardley command produces ready-to-visualise maps that:
- Trace user needs through the supporting value chain so gaps and duplicated effort are obvious.
- Plot evolution from Genesis → Commodity to reveal when to build, buy, reuse, or retire capabilities.
- Feed procurement, vendor evaluation, and design reviews with shared situational awareness.
Maps are emitted in the Open Wardley Map format — paste them straight into https://create.wardleymaps.ai for a visual view. Full example outputs live in the public demos such as arckit-test-project-v1-m365 (cloud migration strategy) and arckit-test-project-v8-cabinet-office-genai (cross-government GenAI platform).
ArcKit generates visual architecture diagrams using Mermaid for clear technical communication.
Architecture diagrams visualize system structure, interactions, and deployment for:
- Technical Communication: Share architecture with stakeholders
- Design Documentation: Document current and future state
- Vendor Evaluation: Compare vendor technical approaches
- UK Government Compliance: Visualize Cloud First, GOV.UK services, PII handling
ArcKit supports 6 essential diagram types based on the C4 Model and enterprise architecture best practices:
| Diagram Type | Level | Purpose | When to Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| C4 Context | Level 1 | System in context with users and external systems | After requirements, to show system boundaries |
| C4 Container | Level 2 | Technical containers and technology choices | After HLD, for vendor review |
| C4 Component | Level 3 | Internal components within a container | After DLD, for implementation |
| Deployment | Infrastructure | Cloud resources and network topology | Cloud First compliance, cost estimation |
| Sequence | Interaction | API flows and request/response patterns | Integration requirements, API design |
| Data Flow | Data | How data moves, PII handling, GDPR compliance | UK GDPR, DPIA requirements |
Use /arckit.diagram directly, or supply an explicit type such as context, container, sequence, or dataflow. Outputs bundle component inventories with Wardley evolution tags, built-in GOV.UK compliance scaffolding (Notify, Pay, Design System), Cloud First network patterns, GDPR annotations, and traceability back to requirements and tests. For full examples, browse the diagram folders in arckit-test-project-v2-hmrc-chatbot and arckit-test-project-v6-patent-system.
ArcKit turns architecture artefacts into an operations-ready ServiceNow pack. The /arckit.servicenow command builds:
- CMDB hierarchies, SLAs, and change risk straight from requirements, diagrams, and Wardley Maps.
- ITIL-aligned runbooks covering incident, change, monitoring, and transition activities.
- UK government extras such as GDS Service Standard, Technology Code of Practice, and GOV.UK Pay/Notify dependencies when relevant.
For full outputs, explore the public demos (for example arckit-test-project-v7-nhs-appointment and arckit-test-project-v1-m365) where the generated ServiceNow design files and checklists are published end-to-end.
Key references live in docs/ and top-level guides:
- Quick tour: docs/index.html mirrors the public landing page.
- Lifecycle visuals: WORKFLOW-DIAGRAMS.md and DEPENDENCY-MATRIX.md cover command flow and relationships.
- Core guides: docs/principles.md, docs/requirements.md, docs/procurement.md, docs/design-review.md.
- Traceability: docs/traceability.md documents end-to-end coverage patterns.
| Feature | ArcKit | Sparx EA | Ardoq | LeanIX | Confluence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AI-Assisted | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Wardley Mapping | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | |
| Version Control | ✅ Git | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | |
| Vendor RFP | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | |
| Design Review Gates | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ||
| Traceability | ✅ Automated | ✅ | ❌ | ||
| Cost | Free | $$$$ | $$$$ | $$$$ | $$ |
| Learning Curve | Low | High | Medium | Medium | Low |
- Python 3.11+
- Git (optional but recommended)
- AI Coding Agent: Claude Code, OpenAI Codex CLI, or Gemini CLI
- uv for package management: Install uv
# Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/tractorjuice/arc-kit.git
cd arc-kit
# Install in development mode
pip install -e .
# Run the CLI
arckit init my-projectFull guidance lives in docs/ and the static site.
- Quick tour: docs/index.html (mirrors the public landing page).
- Core guides: docs/principles.md, docs/requirements.md, docs/procurement.md, docs/design-review.md.
- Reference packs: WORKFLOW-DIAGRAMS.md and DEPENDENCY-MATRIX.md cover lifecycle visualisations and the 35×35 command matrix.
- Traceability: docs/traceability.md documents end-to-end requirements coverage.
ArcKit is inspired by Spec Kit but targets a different audience:
| Spec Kit | ArcKit | |
|---|---|---|
| Audience | Product Managers, Developers | Enterprise Architects, Procurement |
| Focus | Feature development (0→1 code generation) | Architecture governance & vendor management |
| Workflow | Spec → Plan → Tasks → Code | Requirements → RFP → Design Review → Traceability |
| Output | Working code | Architecture documentation & governance |
We welcome contributions! Please see CONTRIBUTING.md for guidelines.
Areas we need help:
- Integration with enterprise tools (Jira, Azure DevOps)
- Additional AI agent support
- Template improvements based on real-world usage
- Documentation and examples
- ServiceNow API integration for automated CI creation
If you see: API Error: Claude's response exceeded the 32000 output token maximum
The Problem: ArcKit generates large documents that can exceed Claude's 32K token output limit.
- 🔴 Free/Pro plans: 32K max (cannot be increased)
- ✅ Team/Enterprise plans: Can increase to 64K via environment variable
Solutions:
-
For Team/Enterprise plans - Increase token limit:
export CLAUDE_CODE_MAX_OUTPUT_TOKENS=64000 -
For ALL plans (including Free/Pro) - Use Write tool strategy:
User: /arckit.requirements but write directly to file using Write tool, show me only a summaryThis tells Claude to use the Write tool to create the file (doesn't count toward output tokens) and only show you a summary.
Which commands are affected?
- 🔴 HIGH RISK:
/arckit.research,/arckit.sobc,/arckit.requirements,/arckit.data-model,/arckit.sow - 🟡 MEDIUM RISK:
/arckit.risk,/arckit.evaluation,/arckit.principles
See full guide: docs/TOKEN-LIMITS.md
Command not found: Ensure Claude Code is installed and commands are loaded
# Check if .claude/commands/ directory exists
ls .claude/commands/Template not found: Ensure you've run /arckit.principles first
# Check if templates exist
ls templates/Project creation fails: Ensure you have an ArcKit repository initialized
# Initialize if needed
arckit init .- Issues: GitHub Issues
- Releases: GitHub Releases
- Latest Version: v0.9.1
MIT License - see LICENSE for details
ArcKit is inspired by the methodology and patterns from Spec Kit, adapted for enterprise architecture governance workflows.
Built with ❤️ for enterprise architects who want systematic, AI-assisted governance.