A2C workflow overview
A2C (Architecture-to-Commit) is a repository-native, AI-assisted, spec-first workflow for building software from intent to implementation.
What it does
A2C starts with architecture, documentation, specifications, and ADRs as explicit contracts, then uses AI to turn those contracts into:
- repository structure and scaffolding
- implementation in small reviewable commits
- documentation and repetitive configuration work
What makes it distinctive
The value is not any single ingredient alone. A2C's strength is that the repository contains the rules, templates, prompts, plans, and profiles that let AI behave consistently instead of improvising every time.
Three combined modes
| Mode | A2C expression |
|---|---|
| Architecture-first / spec-driven | Docs and ADRs before code |
| Agile small increments | Commit-sized bounded batches |
| AI-assisted execution | Prompts and rules constrain mechanical work |
Developer vs AI responsibilities
| Developer | AI |
|---|---|
| Intent and architecture | Scaffolding within approved structure |
| Naming and trade-offs | Documentation plumbing |
| Review and quality bar | Repetitive config and refactoring assistance |
| ADR authorship and acceptance | Bounded implementation batches |
AI is a force multiplier, not a substitute for engineering judgment. See ai-principles.md for a short overview of how A2C positions AI (explainer, guide, orchestrator — not logic layer).
V1 scope
This repository (a2c-workflow)
Repository: a2c-workflow
Primary Python packages: a2c_core, a2c_cli, a2c_tui
- Workflow documentation and ADR conventions
- Rules, templates, prompts, plans, profiles (method assets)
- Python product core (
src/a2c_core,src/a2c_cli,src/a2c_tui) - Architecture docs for the A2C product and
a2c-vscode-extension - Docs-portal integration and Cursor adapter guidance
A2C product (accepted direction)
| Repository | Delivers |
|---|---|
a2c-workflow | a2c_core, a2c_cli, a2c_tui — engine, CLI, TUI, AI workflows (ADR-0005) |
a2c-vscode-extension | Thin IDE client with bundled CLI (ADR-0007) |
Runtime AI workflow assets live in a2c-workflow — not a third repository.