Decision Records

Procedural knowledge for creating ADRs (Architecture Decision Records) and PDRs (Product Decision Records) in docs/decisions/.

Templates

MANDATORY: Read the relevant template before creating or editing ANY decision document.

• ADR template: docs/decisions/architecture/TEMPLATE.md
• PDR template: docs/decisions/product/TEMPLATE.md

Rules

One decision per record. Do not bundle multiple decisions into a single ADR/PDR. Each decision should be independently trackable, referenceable, and supersedable.

Naming: NNN-kebab-case-title.md (sequential per category)

Date accuracy: Use the date the decision was made, not when documented. For existing decisions, verify against git history (git log --format="%ai" <commit> -1).

Reference-style links: Use reference-style links for long URLs to respect line length limits:

- **Upstream:** [Discord DM][upstream] with TRaSH Guides contributor

[upstream]: https://discordapp.com/channels/@me/...

Status Values

• proposed - Under consideration, not yet decided
• accepted - Decision made and finalized
• deprecated - No longer applies (context changed)
• superseded by {ADR,PDR}-NNN - Replaced by another decision

For accepted decisions with pending implementation details, use accepted and note the pending aspects in the document body.

When to Create

ADR - Implementation choices, patterns, internal tradeoffs:

• Choosing between implementation approaches
• Establishing patterns affecting multiple components
• Making tradeoffs with long-term maintenance implications

PDR - Upstream changes, feature scope, external drivers:

• Responding to upstream schema or API changes
• Deciding feature scope or priorities
• Tracking external decisions that drive Recyclarr development

PDRs MUST have upstream: linking to the external driver. Private links (DMs, gated channels) are acceptable; the link provides provenance even if not publicly accessible. If no upstream link is available, ask the user for one before finalizing the PDR.

Attribution

No individual names in PDR body. Use roles ("TRaSH Guides contributor", "upstream maintainer") rather than personal names. Reasons:

• Roles outlast individuals
• Reduces friction in candid discussions
• Avoids taking statements out of context

Upstream link is the audit trail. The link provides who/when/full-context; the PDR body provides what/why synthesis. If someone questions a decision and cannot access the link, the PDR rationale SHOULD stand on its own merits.

Private links are valid. Discord DMs, private channels, or gated sources are acceptable upstream references. The link serves as:

• Provenance for those with access
• Good faith signal that a source exists
• Future-proofing if access later expands

Perspective

TRaSH Guides is the authoritative upstream; Recyclarr is a downstream consumer. PDRs document Recyclarr's response to guide decisions. Focus on:

• Recyclarr implementation impact
• User experience improvements
• TRaSH Guides maintainer/contributor benefits (upstream health benefits all consumers)

Exclude references to other sync tools - they're peers responding to the same upstream, not relevant to Recyclarr's decisions.