breakdown-epic-arch — GitHub Copilot skill
Creates a high-level Epic architecture specification from a PRD. Use it when a team needs an implementation plan before development starts.
npx skills add github/awesome-copilot --skill breakdown-epic-archWhat breakdown-epic-arch does
This skill turns an Epic PRD into a high-level architecture specification in Markdown. It sets the output path to /docs/ways-of-work/plan/{epic-name}/arch.md and asks for no code apart from pseudocode for technical cases.
The specification covers an overview, a Mermaid system diagram, feature work and technical enablers. The diagram maps user, application, service, data, and infrastructure layers, including synchronous requests and asynchronous flows. The prompt uses domain-driven architecture, Docker, TypeScript/Next.js with App Router, Turborepo, tRPC, and Stack Auth as its working context. Install it when the Epic already has a PRD; for a loose product idea, the prescribed structure is too detailed.
What it helps with
- create an architecture specification from an Epic PRD
- draw a Mermaid diagram for system layers
- identify technical enablers for Epic features
- estimate technical value and Epic size
- document a TypeScript/Next.js architecture plan
Example prompts for the agent
- "Create an Epic architecture specification from this PRD."
- "Build a Mermaid architecture diagram for this Epic with tRPC, PostgreSQL, and Docker."
- "Save the architecture plan to `/docs/ways-of-work/plan/payments/arch.md`."
How to install breakdown-epic-arch
1Skills CLI (Vercel)
npx skills add github/awesome-copilot --skill breakdown-epic-arch2GitHub CLI
gh skill install github/awesome-copilot breakdown-epic-arch3Manually: put the files in place
.github/skills/breakdown-epic-arch/SKILL.md1Skills CLI (Vercel)
npx skills add github/awesome-copilot --skill breakdown-epic-arch -a claude-code2Manually: put the files in place
~/.claude/skills/breakdown-epic-arch/SKILL.mdCopy the whole skill folder; for one project use .claude/skills/breakdown-epic-arch/
Manually: put the files in place
.agents/skills/breakdown-epic-arch/SKILL.mdFor all projects use ~/.agents/skills/
Manually: put the files in place
.cursor/skills/breakdown-epic-arch/SKILL.mdCursor also reads .agents/skills/ and .claude/skills/
Platform CLI
gemini skills install https://github.com/github/awesome-copilot --path skills/breakdown-epic-archManually: put the files in place
.devin/skills/breakdown-epic-arch/SKILL.mdThe legacy .windsurf/skills/ path still works
Claude.ai
Zip the folder and upload it in Settings → Capabilities → Skills
From the same set554
The whole set →Similar
Questions about breakdown-epic-arch
How do I install breakdown-epic-arch in GitHub Copilot?
Install the skill with npx skills add github/awesome-copilot --skill breakdown-epic-arch. You can also use gh skill install github/awesome-copilot breakdown-epic-arch.
What does breakdown-epic-arch do?
It takes an Epic PRD and produces a high-level Markdown architecture specification. The output includes a Mermaid diagram, features, technical enablers, technology stack, and sizing guidance.
What technologies does breakdown-epic-arch assume?
The prompt uses TypeScript/Next.js with App Router, Turborepo, tRPC, Stack Auth, and Docker. Its diagram guidance also covers PostgreSQL, Qdrant, Redis, and n8n.
Source text
SKILL.md · MIT
---
name: breakdown-epic-arch
description: 'Prompt for creating the high-level technical architecture for an Epic, based on a Product Requirements Document.'
---
# Epic Architecture Specification Prompt
## Goal
Act as a Senior Software Architect. Your task is to take an Epic PRD and create a high-level technical architecture specification. This document will guide the development of the epic, outlining the major components, features, and technical enablers required.
## Context Considerations
- The Epic PRD from the Product Manager.
- **Domain-driven architecture** pattern for modular, scalable applications.
- **Self-hosted and SaaS deployment** requirements.
- **Docker containerization** for all services.
- **TypeScript/Next.js** stack with App Router.
- **Turborepo monorepo** patterns.
- **tRPC** for type-safe APIs.
- **Stack Auth** for authentication.
**Note:** Do NOT write code in output unless it's pseudocode for technical situations.
## Output Format
The output should be a complete Epic Architecture Specification in Markdown format, saved to `/docs/ways-of-work/plan/{epic-name}/arch.md`.
### Specification Structure
#### 1. Epic Architecture Overview
- A brief summary of the technical approach for the epic.
#### 2. System Architecture Diagram
Create a comprehensive Mermaid diagram that illustrates the complete system architecture for this epic. The diagram should include:
- **User Layer**: Show how different user types (web browsers, mobile apps, admin interfaces) interact with the system
- **Application Layer**: Depict load balancers, application instances, and authentication services (Stack Auth)
- **Service Layer**: Include tRPC APIs, background services, workflow engines (n8n), and any epic-specific services
- **Data Layer**: Show databases (PostgreSQL), vector databases (Qdrant), caching layers (Redis), and external API integrations
- **Infrastructure Layer**: Represent Docker containerization and deployment architecture
Use clear subgraphs to organize these layers, apply consistent color coding for different component types, and show the data flow between components. Include both synchronous request paths and asynchronous processing flows where relevant to the epic.
#### 3. High-Level Features & Technical Enablers
- A list of the high-level features to be built.
- A list of technical enablers (e.g., new services, libraries, infrastructure) required to support the features.
#### 4. Technology Stack
- A list of the key technologies, frameworks, and libraries to be used.
#### 5. Technical Value
- Estimate the technical value (e.g., High, Medium, Low) with a brief justification.
#### 6. T-Shirt Size Estimate
- Provide a high-level t-shirt size estimate for the epic (e.g., S, M, L, XL).
## Context Template
- **Epic PRD:** [The content of the Epic PRD markdown file]
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