PR Design Doc
OpenHands/OpenHands
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This skill should be used when engineering decisions are being made during code implementation.
Install The Archivist
$ npx skills add aiskillstore/marketplace --skill the-archivist -a claude-codeProject install by default; add -g for ~/.claude/skills/.
$ gh skill install aiskillstore/marketplace the-archivist --agent claude-codeProject scope by default; add --scope user for a personal install. Needs GitHub CLI 2.90.0 or later (public preview).
$ git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/aiskillstore/marketplace.git skills-src && mkdir -p .claude/skills && cp -r skills-src/skills/cygnusfear/the-archivist .claude/skills/the-archivist && rm -rf skills-srcUse ~/.claude/skills/ instead of .claude/skills for a personal install. The folder must contain SKILL.md.
Claude Code skills documentation · loads skills from .claude/skills/
Install the "the-archivist" agent skill from https://github.com/aiskillstore/marketplace/tree/main/skills/cygnusfear/the-archivist into .claude/skills/the-archivist/ in this project. Copy the whole folder (SKILL.md and every file beside it), keep the folder name "the-archivist", then confirm the skill loads.Claude Code copies the folder itself, the same result as the manual copy. Check what it changed before you commit it.
$skill-installer install https://github.com/aiskillstore/marketplace/tree/main/skills/cygnusfear/the-archivistType this inside Codex. $skill-installer <name> installs a curated skill from openai/skills. The installer writes to $CODEX_HOME/skills (default ~/.codex/skills). Restart Codex if the skill does not show up.
$ npx skills add aiskillstore/marketplace --skill the-archivist -a codexProject install goes to .agents/skills/; add -g for ~/.codex/skills/.
$ gh skill install aiskillstore/marketplace the-archivist --agent codexProject scope by default (.agents/skills/); add --scope user for a personal install.
$ git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/aiskillstore/marketplace.git skills-src && mkdir -p .agents/skills && cp -r skills-src/skills/cygnusfear/the-archivist .agents/skills/the-archivist && rm -rf skills-srcUse ~/.agents/skills/ instead of .agents/skills for a personal install.
Codex skills documentation · loads skills from .agents/skills/
Install the "the-archivist" agent skill from https://github.com/aiskillstore/marketplace/tree/main/skills/cygnusfear/the-archivist into .agents/skills/the-archivist/ in this project. Copy the whole folder (SKILL.md and every file beside it), keep the folder name "the-archivist", then confirm the skill loads.Codex copies the folder itself, the same result as the manual copy. Check what it changed before you commit it.
$ npx skills add aiskillstore/marketplace --skill the-archivist -a cursorProject install goes to .agents/skills/; add -g for ~/.cursor/skills/.
$ gh skill install aiskillstore/marketplace the-archivist --agent cursorProject scope by default (.agents/skills/); add --scope user for a personal install.
$ git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/aiskillstore/marketplace.git skills-src && mkdir -p .cursor/skills && cp -r skills-src/skills/cygnusfear/the-archivist .cursor/skills/the-archivist && rm -rf skills-srcUse ~/.cursor/skills/ instead of .cursor/skills for a personal install.
Cursor skills documentation · loads skills from .cursor/skills/, .agents/skills/, .claude/skills/, .codex/skills/
Install the "the-archivist" agent skill from https://github.com/aiskillstore/marketplace/tree/main/skills/cygnusfear/the-archivist into .cursor/skills/the-archivist/ in this project. Copy the whole folder (SKILL.md and every file beside it), keep the folder name "the-archivist", then confirm the skill loads.Cursor copies the folder itself, the same result as the manual copy. Check what it changed before you commit it.
$ gemini skills install https://github.com/aiskillstore/marketplace.git --path skills/cygnusfear/the-archivist--scope user (default) or --scope workspace; --path is the subfolder of the repo that holds the skill; --consent skips the security confirmation prompt.
$ npx skills add aiskillstore/marketplace --skill the-archivist -a gemini-cliProject install goes to .agents/skills/; add -g for ~/.gemini/skills/.
$ gh skill install aiskillstore/marketplace the-archivist --agent gemini-cliProject scope by default (.agents/skills/); add --scope user for a personal install.
$ git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/aiskillstore/marketplace.git skills-src && mkdir -p .gemini/skills && cp -r skills-src/skills/cygnusfear/the-archivist .gemini/skills/the-archivist && rm -rf skills-srcUse ~/.gemini/skills/ instead of .gemini/skills for a personal install, then run /skills reload.
Gemini CLI skills documentation · loads skills from .gemini/skills/, .agents/skills/
Install the "the-archivist" agent skill from https://github.com/aiskillstore/marketplace/tree/main/skills/cygnusfear/the-archivist into .gemini/skills/the-archivist/ in this project. Copy the whole folder (SKILL.md and every file beside it), keep the folder name "the-archivist", then confirm the skill loads.Gemini CLI copies the folder itself, the same result as the manual copy. Check what it changed before you commit it.
$ gh skill install aiskillstore/marketplace the-archivistInstalls for Copilot at project scope by default; add --scope user for a personal install. Preview a skill first with gh skill preview. Needs GitHub CLI 2.90.0 or later (public preview).
$ npx skills add aiskillstore/marketplace --skill the-archivist -a github-copilotProject install goes to .agents/skills/; add -g for ~/.copilot/skills/.
$ git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/aiskillstore/marketplace.git skills-src && mkdir -p .github/skills && cp -r skills-src/skills/cygnusfear/the-archivist .github/skills/the-archivist && rm -rf skills-srcUse ~/.copilot/skills/ instead of .github/skills for a personal install. Commit .github/skills so cloud agent and code review can use it.
GitHub Copilot skills documentation · loads skills from .github/skills/, .claude/skills/, .agents/skills/
Install the "the-archivist" agent skill from https://github.com/aiskillstore/marketplace/tree/main/skills/cygnusfear/the-archivist into .github/skills/the-archivist/ in this project. Copy the whole folder (SKILL.md and every file beside it), keep the folder name "the-archivist", then confirm the skill loads.GitHub Copilot copies the folder itself, the same result as the manual copy. Check what it changed before you commit it.
$ npx skills add aiskillstore/marketplace --skill the-archivist -a opencodeOpenCode documents no install command of its own. Project install goes to .agents/skills/; add -g for ~/.config/opencode/skills/.
$ gh skill install aiskillstore/marketplace the-archivist --agent opencodeProject scope by default (.agents/skills/); add --scope user for a personal install.
$ git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/aiskillstore/marketplace.git skills-src && mkdir -p .opencode/skills && cp -r skills-src/skills/cygnusfear/the-archivist .opencode/skills/the-archivist && rm -rf skills-srcUse ~/.config/opencode/skills/ instead of .opencode/skills for a personal install.
OpenCode skills documentation · loads skills from .opencode/skills/, .claude/skills/, .agents/skills/
Install the "the-archivist" agent skill from https://github.com/aiskillstore/marketplace/tree/main/skills/cygnusfear/the-archivist into .opencode/skills/the-archivist/ in this project. Copy the whole folder (SKILL.md and every file beside it), keep the folder name "the-archivist", then confirm the skill loads.OpenCode copies the folder itself, the same result as the manual copy. Check what it changed before you commit it.
Facts
- Skill name
the-archivist- GitHub stars
- 433
- Token cost
- ~4.5k tokens
- SKILL.md length
- 1,023 words
- Files
- 4 (incl. references)
- Skills in repo
- 1,044
- Repo updated
- First seen
- Licence
- None found
At a glance
This skill should be used when engineering decisions are being made during code implementation.
- Works in 5 steps: The Why Survives - Implementation… → Proportional Documentation - Match… → Context Is Everything - Decisions… → …
- Writing code that involves choosing between alternatives
- SKILL.md covers Persona, Core Principles, Decision Detection Triggers and Decision Taxonomy, plus 6 more sections
- Calls git
What it does
The Archivist is an agent skill from aiskillstore/marketplace. This skill should be used when engineering decisions are being made during code implementation. The Archivist enforces decision documentation as a standard practice, ensuring every engineering choice includes rationale and integrates with Architecture Decision Records (ADRs). Use when writing code that involves choosing between alternatives, selecting technologies, designing architectures, or making trade-offs.
Its SKILL.md is about 4.5k tokens, which your agent loads only when the skill is triggered. The skill folder holds 4 other files, including reference files (for example `references/adr-template.md`, `references/decisions-log-template.md` and `skill-report.json`).
It sits in Development, covering Architecture decision records. The repository describes itself as: Security-audited skills for Claude, Codex & Claude Code. One-click install, quality verified.
When your agent uses it
- Writing code that involves choosing between alternatives
- Selecting technologies
- Designing architectures
- Making trade-offs
Example prompts
- “/the-archivist”
Requirements
- Python 3
Workflow steps
5 steps, taken from the first numbered list in SKILL.md.
- The Why Survives - Implementation details change; rationale must persist
- Proportional Documentation - Match documentation depth to decision significance
- Context Is Everything - Decisions without context are just opinions
- Alternatives Matter - Document what was not chosen and why
- Immutability of History - Decisions can be superseded, never deleted
What it can do on your machine
Read from SKILL.md and the folder at commit 44923f3. It shows what the files ask for, not the result of running them.
Tool permissions
Pre-approves nothing: there is no allowed-tools line, so your agent's usual permission prompts apply.
From allowed-tools in the SKILL.md frontmatter.
Runs code
Shell commands in SKILL.md call:
git
From the folder's file list and the shell code blocks in SKILL.md.
Network
No URLs in SKILL.md. Its commands use git, which can reach the network depending on how they are called.
From URLs in SKILL.md, links to its own repository left out.
Credentials
Names no API keys, tokens, secrets or passwords.
From names ending in _API_KEY, _TOKEN, _SECRET, _KEY or _PASSWORD in SKILL.md.
Context cost
The Archivist loads about 4.5k tokens when it runs, and up to ~5.4k if it reads all its reference files. Until then it costs about 107 tokens; SKILL.md has 1,023 words of instructions outside code blocks.
Estimates: characters ÷ 4, the usual rule of thumb; real counts depend on the model's tokenizer. Scripts and assets cost tokens only if the agent reads them.
Safety
Auto-check passed
The automated check found no risky patterns in SKILL.md.
Automated static check — not a guarantee. Review scripts before installing. It scans the text of SKILL.md for risky patterns (piping downloads into a shell, reading credential files, hidden Unicode, destructive commands); files beside SKILL.md are not scanned.
SKILL.md
Without a licence we can't republish the file, so here is its outline and opening line. It has 1,023 words (~4,474 tokens).
“The Archivist is the guardian of institutional knowledge. While others write code that works today, The Archivist ensures the why survives for tomorrow.”
- name
- the-archivist
Files
SKILL.md and 3 other files (references) in skills/cygnusfear/the-archivist of aiskillstore/marketplace.
- SKILL.md
- references/adr-template.md
- references/decisions-log-template.md
- skill-report.json
Open the folder on GitHubat commit 44923f3
Compare with similar skills
The Archivist next to the 5 skills that share the most tags, products or categories with it. Stars are the repository's; “used in” counts other GitHub owners with a copy.
| Skill | Stars | Used in | Tokens | Auto-check | Licence | Repo updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Archivist this skillaiskillstore/marketplace | 433 | — | ~4.5k | Automated safety check: Pass | None | |
| PR Design DocOpenHands/OpenHands | 90k | — | ~2.4k | Automated safety check: Pass | MIT | |
| Cto AdvisorIbrahim-3d/orchestrator-supaconductor | 381 | 4 repos | ~2.4k | Automated safety check: Pass | MIT | |
| Architecture DecisionDonchitos/Claude-Code-Game-Studios | 26k | — | ~1.7k | Automated safety check: Pass | MIT | |
| Improve Codebase Architectureywwynm/EverythingDone | 144 | 15 repos | ~1.3k | Automated safety check: Pass | GPL-3.0 | |
| Domain Modelingbrim-borium/spotify_sdk | 166 | 5 repos | ~806 | Automated safety check: Pass | Apache-2.0 |
Similar skills
Cto Advisor
Ibrahim-3d/orchestrator-supaconductor
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Architecture Decision
Donchitos/Claude-Code-Game-Studios
Create an ADR documenting a technical decision: context, alternatives considered, consequences.
Improve Codebase Architecture
ywwynm/EverythingDone
Find deepening opportunities in a codebase, informed by the domain language in CONTEXT.md and the decisions in docs/adr/.
Domain Modeling
brim-borium/spotify_sdk
Build and sharpen a project's domain model. An agent skill from brim-borium/spotify_sdk.
Design Doc Mermaid
SpillwaveSolutions/design-doc-mermaid
Create Mermaid diagrams (flowchart, sequence, class, ER, state, C4, architecture) from text or source code.
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Related
Categories
Questions about The Archivist
What does The Archivist do?
This skill should be used when engineering decisions are being made during code implementation. The Archivist is an agent skill from aiskillstore/marketplace. This skill should be used when engineering decisions are being made during code implementation.
When should I use The Archivist?
The Archivist fits situations like: writing code that involves choosing between alternatives; selecting technologies; designing architectures; making trade-offs.
How do I install The Archivist in Claude Code?
Run `npx skills add aiskillstore/marketplace --skill the-archivist -a claude-code`. Or copy the skill folder (skills/cygnusfear/the-archivist in aiskillstore/marketplace) into .claude/skills/the-archivist in your project. Claude Code loads it when a task matches its description.
How do I install The Archivist in Codex?
Run `npx skills add aiskillstore/marketplace --skill the-archivist -a codex`. Or copy the skill folder (skills/cygnusfear/the-archivist in aiskillstore/marketplace) into .agents/skills/the-archivist in your project. Codex loads it when a task matches its description.
Can I use The Archivist in Cursor, Gemini CLI or GitHub Copilot?
Cursor, Gemini CLI, GitHub Copilot and OpenCode also load SKILL.md folders. With the skills CLI, run `npx skills add aiskillstore/marketplace --skill the-archivist -a cursor` (or -a gemini-cli, github-copilot or opencode for the others). To copy it by hand, put the folder in .cursor/skills/the-archivist, .gemini/skills/the-archivist, .github/skills/the-archivist and .opencode/skills/the-archivist in your project.
What does The Archivist need to run?
Going by SKILL.md and its folder, The Archivist needs the command-line tools its instructions call (git). Our summary lists: Python 3.
Does The Archivist access the network?
SKILL.md contains no URLs. Its commands use git, which can reach the network depending on how they are called. This is read from the text; nothing was executed.
Is The Archivist safe to install?
Our automated static check of SKILL.md found no risky patterns, such as piping downloads into a shell, reading credential files or hidden Unicode. It is not a guarantee. Review the folder before installing.
What licence does The Archivist use?
No licence was found for The Archivist or its repository. Without one, default copyright applies: ask the author before reusing or redistributing it.
How many tokens does The Archivist use?
About 4.5k tokens (SKILL.md is roughly 18k characters). Agents keep only the skill's name and description in context until a task matches; then they load SKILL.md in full. Its references folder adds about 900 tokens, read only when the agent opens those files.
What are the alternatives to The Archivist?
Skills that share tags, products or a category with The Archivist: PR Design Doc (OpenHands/OpenHands, 90k stars), Cto Advisor (Ibrahim-3d/orchestrator-supaconductor, 381 stars), Architecture Decision (Donchitos/Claude-Code-Game-Studios, 26k stars) and Improve Codebase Architecture (ywwynm/EverythingDone, 144 stars). The comparison table on this page puts their stars, adoption, token cost, safety result and licence side by side.
Who maintains The Archivist?
aiskillstore (a GitHub organization) maintains it in aiskillstore/marketplace, which has 433 GitHub stars. The repository holds 1,044 skills in this directory. The repository was last updated on October 10, 2026.
Source: aiskillstore/marketplace on GitHub. Facts on this page come from the repository at the commit we read; the author's words are quoted as theirs.