Introducing Free Architecture Tools for System Architects

I'm excited to announce the launch of two new free tools designed specifically for system architects and technical leaders. These tools address real pain points I've encountered throughout my career as a solution architect.

The Tools

1. ADR Generator

Architecture Decision Records (ADRs) are crucial for documenting why we make certain architectural choices. However, writing them can be time-consuming and inconsistent across teams.

Try the ADR Generator →

Features:

Multiple templates: Standard, Detailed, or Lightweight formats
Context analysis: Automatically identifies key concerns from your input
Pattern recommendations: Suggests appropriate architectural patterns
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2. Code Architecture Analyzer

Understanding the architecture of an existing codebase can be challenging, especially when joining a new project or conducting architecture reviews.

Try the Code Analyzer →

Features:

Pattern detection: Identifies architectural patterns (Layered, Hexagonal, Clean, etc.)
Anti-pattern identification: Spots code smells and architectural issues
Architecture scoring: Provides objective metrics for code structure
Actionable recommendations: Specific suggestions for improvement

Why These Tools?

The ADR Problem

In my experience leading architecture teams, I've seen too many critical decisions lost to time. Teams make important choices about microservices vs monoliths, event-driven vs synchronous communication, or SQL vs NoSQL, but six months later, no one remembers why.

ADRs solve this problem, but writing them is often skipped because it's seen as bureaucratic overhead. The ADR Generator makes it as simple as filling out a form and clicking generate.

The Code Analysis Challenge

How many times have you inherited a codebase and spent days trying to understand its architecture? Or worse, discovered anti-patterns only after they've spread throughout the system?

The Code Architecture Analyzer gives you instant insights into:

Is this really following Clean Architecture, or just claiming to?
What patterns are actually being used?
Where are the architectural violations?
What should we refactor first?

Real-World Usage Examples

Example 1: Microservices Migration Decision

Title: Migrate Order Service to Microservices
Context: Our monolithic order service handles 1M orders/day but is becoming 
a bottleneck. Deploy time is 2 hours and any bug affects all functionality.
Requirements: 
- Support 10x growth
- Independent team deployments  
- 99.9% uptime during migration

The ADR Generator analyzes this context and produces a complete decision record with:

Identified concerns (scalability, team autonomy)
Considered options with pros/cons
Recommended approach with rationale
Risk mitigation strategies

Example 2: Architecture Review

Paste your service code or file structure into the Code Analyzer to get:

Architecture style detection (e.g., "Layered Architecture with Repository Pattern")
Quality scores (Architecture: 85/100, Code Quality: 72/100)
Detected issues ("God Class in OrderService", "Feature Envy in PaymentController")
Specific recommendations prioritized by impact

What's Next?

These are just the first two tools in what I plan to be a comprehensive toolkit for architects. Coming soon:

System Design Canvas: Interactive tool for designing distributed systems
Architecture Cost Calculator: Estimate infrastructure costs for different architectures
Performance Predictor: Predict system performance under various loads
Migration Roadmap Builder: Plan architecture migrations step by step

The Philosophy

These tools embody a simple philosophy: Make architects successful in their daily work.

Not through more theory or framework debates, but through practical tools that:

Save time on repetitive tasks
Provide objective analysis
Generate professional deliverables
Help make better decisions

Try Them Now

Both tools are completely free and require no sign-up:

ADR Generator - Start documenting your decisions
Code Architecture Analyzer - Analyze your architecture

Feedback Welcome

These tools are built based on my experience, but I want them to solve your problems too. If you have ideas for improvements or new tools you'd like to see, please reach out.

Remember: Good architecture isn't about using the latest patterns—it's about making thoughtful decisions and documenting them clearly. These tools help you do both.

What architecture challenges are you facing? What tools would make your job easier? Let me know in the comments or via email.