arckit-customize
$
npx mdskill add tractorjuice/arc-kit/arckit-customizeCustomize ArcKit templates by copying project-specific artifacts.
- Enables users to override default architecture templates with local versions.
- Depends on file system access to read and write template directories.
- Prioritizes custom templates over defaults when both exist in the project.
- Delivers results by displaying template lists or copying specific files.
SKILL.md
.github/skills/arckit-customizeView on GitHub ↗
---
name: arckit-customize
description: "Copy plugin templates to project for customization"
---
You are helping a user customize ArcKit document templates for their project or organization.
## User Input
```text
$ARGUMENTS
```
## Overview
ArcKit uses document templates to generate consistent architecture artifacts. Users can customize these templates by copying them to `.arckit/templates/`. When a template exists in the custom directory, it takes precedence over the default template.
**Template locations:**
- **Defaults**: `.arckit/templates/` (shipped with ArcKit, refreshed by `arckit init`)
- **User overrides**: `.arckit/templates/` (your customizations, preserved across updates)
## Instructions
### 1. **Parse User Request**
The user may request:
- **List templates**: Show all available templates (no arguments or "list")
- **Copy specific template**: Copy one template (e.g., "requirements", "risk", "adr")
- **Copy all templates**: Copy all templates ("all")
- **Show template info**: Explain what a template contains ("info requirements")
### 2. **List Available Templates**
If user wants to see available templates, use Glob to find `.arckit/templates/*-template.md` and `.arckit/templates/*-template.html`, then extract the template name from each filename (strip the `-template.md`/`.html` suffix).
Display as a table:
| Template | Command | Description |
|----------|---------|-------------|
| `adr` | `$arckit-adr` | Architecture Decision Records (MADR v4.0) |
| `analysis-report` | `$arckit-analyze` | Governance quality analysis report |
| `architecture-diagram` | `$arckit-diagram` | Mermaid architecture diagrams |
| `architecture-principles` | `$arckit-principles` | Enterprise architecture principles |
| `architecture-strategy` | `$arckit-strategy` | Executive-level strategy document |
| `aws-research` | `$arckit-aws-research` | AWS service research findings |
| `azure-research` | `$arckit-azure-research` | Azure service research findings |
| `backlog` | `$arckit-backlog` | Product backlog with user stories |
| `data-mesh-contract` | `$arckit-data-mesh-contract` | Data product contracts |
| `data-model` | `$arckit-data-model` | Data model with GDPR compliance |
| `datascout` | `$arckit-datascout` | External data source discovery |
| `devops` | `$arckit-devops` | DevOps strategy and CI/CD |
| `dld-review` | `$arckit-dld-review` | Detailed design review |
| `dos-requirements` | `$arckit-dos` | Digital Outcomes & Specialists |
| `dpia` | `$arckit-dpia` | Data Protection Impact Assessment |
| `evaluation-criteria` | `$arckit-evaluate` | Vendor evaluation framework |
| `finops` | `$arckit-finops` | FinOps cloud cost management |
| `gcloud-clarify` | `$arckit-gcloud-clarify` | G-Cloud clarification questions |
| `gcloud-requirements` | `$arckit-gcloud-search` | G-Cloud service requirements |
| `hld-review` | `$arckit-hld-review` | High-level design review |
| `jsp-936` | `$arckit-jsp-936` | MOD AI assurance (JSP 936) |
| `mlops` | `$arckit-mlops` | MLOps strategy |
| `mod-secure-by-design` | `$arckit-mod-secure` | MOD Secure by Design |
| `operationalize` | `$arckit-operationalize` | Operational readiness pack |
| `platform-design` | `$arckit-platform-design` | Platform Design Toolkit |
| `principles-compliance-assessment` | `$arckit-principles-compliance` | Principles compliance scorecard |
| `project-plan` | `$arckit-plan` | Project plan with timeline |
| `requirements` | `$arckit-requirements` | Business & technical requirements |
| `research-findings` | `$arckit-research` | Technology research findings |
| `risk-register` | `$arckit-risk` | Risk register (Orange Book) |
| `roadmap` | `$arckit-roadmap` | Architecture roadmap |
| `service-assessment-prep` | `$arckit-service-assessment` | GDS Service Standard prep |
| `servicenow-design` | `$arckit-servicenow` | ServiceNow service design |
| `sobc` | `$arckit-sobc` | Strategic Outline Business Case |
| `sow` | `$arckit-sow` | Statement of Work / RFP |
| `stakeholder-drivers` | `$arckit-stakeholders` | Stakeholder analysis |
| `story` | `$arckit-story` | Project story with timeline |
| `tcop-review` | `$arckit-tcop` | Technology Code of Practice |
| `traceability-matrix` | `$arckit-traceability` | Requirements traceability |
| `uk-gov-ai-playbook` | `$arckit-ai-playbook` | AI Playbook compliance |
| `uk-gov-atrs` | `$arckit-atrs` | Algorithmic Transparency Record |
| `uk-gov-tcop` | `$arckit-tcop` | TCoP review template |
| `ukgov-secure-by-design` | `$arckit-secure` | UK Gov Secure by Design |
| `vendor-scoring` | `$arckit-evaluate` | Vendor scoring matrix |
| `wardley-map` | `$arckit-wardley` | Wardley Map documentation |
| `pages` | `$arckit-pages` | GitHub Pages site (HTML/CSS/JS) |
### 3. **Copy Template(s)**
**Copy specific template:**
1. Map the user's short name to the full filename (e.g., "requirements" → `requirements-template.md`, "pages" → `pages-template.html`)
2. Use the Read tool to read the source template from `.arckit/templates/{name}-template.{ext}`
3. **Update the origin banner**: Before writing, change the `Template Origin` line from `Official` to `Custom` and add a `Based On` reference:
- Find: ``> **Template Origin**: Official | **ArcKit Version**: [VERSION] | **Command**: `/arckit.{command}` ``
- Replace with: ``> **Template Origin**: Custom | **Based On**: `/arckit.{command}` | **ArcKit Version**: [VERSION]``
4. Use the Write tool to save it to `.arckit/templates/{name}-template.{ext}` (the directory will be created automatically)
5. If the source template does not exist, inform the user and suggest running `$arckit-customize list`
**Copy all templates:**
1. Use Glob to find all `.arckit/templates/*-template.md` and `.arckit/templates/*-template.html` files
2. For each template found, use Read to load it, update the origin banner (change `Template Origin: Official` to `Template Origin: Custom | Based On: /arckit.{command}`), and Write to save it to `.arckit/templates/`
### 4. **Show Template Info**
If user asks about a specific template (e.g., "info requirements"), read and summarize:
- What document it generates
- Key sections included
- UK Government frameworks referenced
- Common customization points
### 5. **Provide Customization Guidance**
After copying, explain:
```markdown
## Template Customization Guide
Your template has been copied to `.arckit/templates/`. You can now customize it.
### How It Works
When you run an ArcKit command (e.g., `$arckit-requirements`):
1. Command checks: Does `.arckit/templates/requirements-template.md` exist?
2. **If YES** → Uses YOUR customized template
3. **If NO** → Uses default from `.arckit/templates/`
### Common Customizations
**Remove UK Government sections** (for non-UK Gov projects):
- Delete "UK Government Alignment" sections
- Remove TCoP, GDS Service Standard references
- Change classification from "OFFICIAL-SENSITIVE" to your scheme
**Change Document Control fields**:
- Add organization-specific fields (Cost Centre, Programme, etc.)
- Remove fields not relevant to your organization
- Change review cycle defaults
**Modify requirement prefixes**:
- Change BR/FR/NFR to your organization's taxonomy
- Update priority levels (MUST/SHOULD/MAY → P1/P2/P3)
**Add organization branding**:
- Add logo placeholder
- Include standard headers/footers
- Add disclaimer text
**Customize the Pages template** (`pages-template.html`):
- Replace GOV.UK Design System CSS with neutral or organization-specific styling
- Change the color palette (header, sidebar, accent colors)
- Remove or rename UK-specific guide categories (e.g., "UK Government" section)
- Adjust the governance dashboard checklist items to match your framework
- Add organization logo or branding to the header
- Modify the footer text and links
### Keeping Templates Updated
When ArcKit CLI updates with new template features:
- Default templates in `.arckit/templates/` are refreshed by `arckit init`
- Your customizations in `.arckit/templates/` are **preserved**
- Compare your templates with defaults periodically to adopt new features
To see the current default template, use the Read tool on `.arckit/templates/{name}-template.md`.
To compare your customization with the default, read both files and compare the content.
### Reverting to Default
To stop using a custom template and revert to default, delete `.arckit/templates/{name}-template.md`.
```
## Output Summary
After completing the request, show:
```markdown
## Template Customization Complete ✅
**Action**: [Listed templates / Copied X template(s)]
**Location**: `.arckit/templates/`
**Files**:
- [List of files copied or available]
**Next Steps**:
1. Edit the template(s) in `.arckit/templates/`
2. Run the corresponding `/arckit:*` command
3. Your customized template will be used automatically
**Tip**: Read both the default and your custom template to compare differences.
```
## Example Usage
**List all templates:**
```text
$arckit-customize list
```
**Copy requirements template:**
```text
$arckit-customize requirements
```
**Copy multiple templates:**
```text
$arckit-customize requirements risk adr
```
**Copy all templates:**
```text
$arckit-customize all
```
**Get info about a template:**
```text
$arckit-customize info requirements
```
More from tractorjuice/arc-kit
- architecture-workflowThis skill should be used when the user asks how to start an architecture project, which ArcKit commands to run and in what order, what workflow to follow, getting started, new project setup, guide me through, or what comes next.
- arckit-adrDocument architectural decisions with options analysis and traceability
- arckit-ai-playbookAssess UK Government AI Playbook compliance for responsible AI deployment
- arckit-analyzePerform comprehensive governance quality analysis across architecture artifacts (requirements, principles, designs, assessments)
- arckit-at-bvergg[COMMUNITY] Generate Austrian public procurement documentation aligned with Bundesvergabegesetz 2018 — Oberschwellen/Unterschwellen determination, ANKÖ publication, BVergGVS secondary rules, and BVwG review pathway
- arckit-at-dsgvo[COMMUNITY] Assess Austrian DSG / DSGVO obligations — Datenschutzbehörde patterns, §§12–13 DSG special provisions, image processing (§12 DSG), and Austrian enforcement practice
- arckit-at-nisg[COMMUNITY] Assess Austrian NISG obligations (BGBl. I Nr. 94/2025) — AT transposition of NIS2, BKA (GovCERT) / BMI (SPOC) reporting, KSÖ coordination, and Austrian sectoral rules for Essential/Important entities
- arckit-atrsGenerate Algorithmic Transparency Recording Standard (ATRS) record for AI/algorithmic tools
- arckit-aws-researchResearch AWS services and architecture patterns using AWS Knowledge MCP for authoritative guidance
- arckit-azure-researchResearch Azure services and architecture patterns using Microsoft Learn MCP for authoritative guidance