ARCHITECTURE TEMPLATE

A practical architecture document template for systems and decisions

Document context, components, data flows, quality attributes, deployment and architecture decisions in Markdown, with diagram support and professional export.

  1. 01Upload Markdown
  2. 02Pick a standard
  3. 03Export DOCX or PDF
Free · No sign-up · Your document stays in your browser
THE PROBLEM

Architecture knowledge should not live only in diagrams.

A useful architecture document connects diagrams to constraints, responsibilities, interfaces, risks and decisions. Markdown keeps that record close to engineering work, while Unmarkdown provides a clear technical layout and exports a version suitable for stakeholders outside the repository.

WORKING EXAMPLE

Document architecture context, flow and decisions together

Keep a diagram beside the constraints and decisions that explain it. Mermaid remains editable in Markdown and renders in the document preview.

Open this sample in the studio
# Software Architecture Document

## 1. System Context
The browser application converts local Markdown into professional documents.

```mermaid
flowchart LR
  User --> Browser
  Browser --> Preview
  Preview --> DOCX
  Preview --> PDF
```

## 2. Architecture Decisions

| ID | Decision | Status | Rationale |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| ADR-001 | Process source files in the browser | Accepted | Preserve privacy |
ARCHITECTURE AI PROMPT

Create an architecture document that explains the decisions

Give your AI assistant the system context, constraints and known decisions with this prompt. The result stays technical, traceable and ready for diagrams, DOCX or PDF.

Try it in the studio
No sign-up. Use with any AI assistant.
READY FOR ANY AI CHATMarkdown output
Using only the source material and requirements I provide, create the complete document as raw GitHub-Flavored Markdown (.md). Do not generate, attach, or encode a DOCX/PDF; use the response budget for accurate, useful content.

OUTPUT CONTRACT
- Return only the finished Markdown document: no preamble, commentary, or code fence around the whole response.
- Use exactly one `#` H1 for the document title, then sequential `##` and `###` headings without skipping levels.
- Keep paragraphs concise, sections complete, terminology consistent, and the hierarchy easy to scan.
- Never invent facts, metrics, quotations, requirements, URLs, or citations. Mark missing inputs as `[TBD: specific information needed]`.
- Do not add HTML, manual page numbers, a manually typed table of contents, base64 data, or decorative filler. Unmarkdown generates pagination and the table of contents from the heading structure.

MARKDOWN TOOLKIT — use each feature only when it improves the document
- `**bold**` for labels or key terms, `_italic_` for light emphasis, and `~~strikethrough~~` only for explicit revisions.
- Unordered `-` lists, ordered `1.` steps, and `- [ ]` task lists for actions or review checklists.
- `> blockquotes` for warnings, decisions, constraints, or important callouts.
- GFM tables with a header and separator row; keep every row the same width and keep cells concise.
- Fenced code blocks with a language tag such as `json`, `yaml`, `bash`, `typescript`, or `sql`; never use a fence around the whole document.
- Mermaid diagrams in a fenced `mermaid` block when a flow, sequence, architecture, state, or dependency diagram adds real value.
- Descriptive links as `[label](https://example.com)` and `---` rules only between major document parts.
- Prepare a separate alphabetical Index page by marking important terms at their first relevant mention with `[[index: Term]]`. Use `[[index: Primary term: Subentry]]` for a nested entry. Do not type an Index heading, page numbers, or the index list yourself; Unmarkdown generates the final Index page and page references during Word export.
- Escape Markdown control characters when they are meant to appear literally.

DOCUMENT STANDARD
Build a practical software architecture document that explains structure, behavior, operations, and decisions.
- Include goals/non-goals, context, constraints, quality attributes, components, interfaces, data model/flows, security, deployment, scalability, observability, failure handling, and risks.
- Add appropriate Mermaid diagrams for system context, containers/components, sequence, deployment, or data flow; keep each diagram focused and syntactically valid.
- Include an ADR table: `ID | Decision | Status | Rationale | Alternatives | Trade-offs`, plus interface/configuration code blocks with language tags.
- State assumptions and use `[TBD: evidence or decision]` where architecture input is missing.

FINAL QUALITY CHECK
- Verify heading order, table column counts, list indentation, code-fence pairing, requirement/decision IDs, and internal consistency.
- Remove empty sections and generic filler. Preserve `[TBD: ...]` markers instead of guessing.
- End with the final document content, ready to save directly as a `.md` file and convert in unmarkdown.in.
WHAT YOU GET
01

Diagram-friendly source

Add Mermaid flowcharts alongside the text that explains components and data movement.

02

Decision traceability

Capture assumptions, alternatives, trade-offs and architecture decisions in a stable hierarchy.

03

Stakeholder-ready output

Export the same technical source as a polished DOCX or PDF for wider review.

HOW IT WORKS

From Markdown to a finished document in three steps

  1. 1

    Describe the context

    Define goals, users, external systems, constraints and important quality attributes.

  2. 2

    Explain the architecture

    Document components, interfaces, data, deployment, security, observability and decisions.

  3. 3

    Review and publish

    Use the architecture standard, check diagrams in the preview and export the approved format.

COMMON QUESTIONS

Frequently asked questions

What belongs in a software architecture document?+

Include context, drivers, constraints, component responsibilities, interfaces, data flows, deployment, security, operations, risks and key decisions.

Does the template support Mermaid diagrams?+

Yes. Add Mermaid code blocks to the Markdown and render flowcharts in the document preview.

Can the architecture document use company branding?+

Yes. Add a logo, brand colour, organization name and footer before export.

Can I export the template to Word?+

Yes. Export DOCX for collaborative editing or PDF for a stable review copy.

READY TO PUBLISH

Keep the Markdown. Ship the document.

Try the sample