Architecture Patterns
Master proven architecture patterns for scalable, maintainable backends
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Implement proven backend architecture patterns including Clean Architecture, Hexagonal Architecture, and Domain-Driven Design. Use when architecting complex backend systems or refactoring existing applications for better maintainability.
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User Prompt
Help me refactor my Django monolith into Clean Architecture layers. I have user management, order processing, and payment handling mixed in my views.
Skill Processing
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Agent Response
Structured code organization with clear separation between business logic, use cases, and framework concerns, making the system more testable and maintainable
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Install
claude-code skill install architecture-patterns
claude-code skill install architecture-patternsConfig
First Trigger
@architecture-patterns helpCommands
| Command | Description | Required Args |
|---|---|---|
| @architecture-patterns refactoring-monolithic-application | Transform a tightly coupled monolithic backend into a maintainable, testable architecture using Clean Architecture principles | None |
| @architecture-patterns implementing-domain-driven-design | Apply DDD tactical patterns to model complex business domains with proper boundaries and rich domain models | None |
| @architecture-patterns creating-testable-backend-architecture | Design a new backend system using Hexagonal Architecture for maximum testability and technology independence | None |
Typical Use Cases
Refactoring Monolithic Application
Transform a tightly coupled monolithic backend into a maintainable, testable architecture using Clean Architecture principles
Implementing Domain-Driven Design
Apply DDD tactical patterns to model complex business domains with proper boundaries and rich domain models
Creating Testable Backend Architecture
Design a new backend system using Hexagonal Architecture for maximum testability and technology independence
Overview
Architecture Patterns
Master proven backend architecture patterns including Clean Architecture, Hexagonal Architecture, and Domain-Driven Design to build maintainable, testable, and scalable systems.
When to Use This Skill
- Designing new backend systems from scratch
- Refactoring monolithic applications for better maintainability
- Establishing architecture standards for your team
- Migrating from tightly coupled to loosely coupled architectures
- Implementing domain-driven design principles
- Creating testable and mockable codebases
- Planning microservices decomposition
Core Concepts
1. Clean Architecture (Uncle Bob)
Layers (dependency flows inward):
- Entities: Core business models
- Use Cases: Application business rules
- Interface Adapters: Controllers, presenters, gateways
- Frameworks & Drivers: UI, database, external services
Key Principles:
- Dependencies point inward
- Inner layers know nothing about outer layers
- Business logic independent of frameworks
- Testable without UI, database, or external services
2. Hexagonal Architecture (Ports and Adapters)
Components:
- Domain Core: Business logic
- Ports: Interfaces defining interactions
- Adapters: Implementations of ports (database, REST, message queue)
Benefits:
- Swap implementations easily (mock for testing)
- Technology-agnostic core
- Clear separation of concerns
3. Domain-Driven Design (DDD)
Strategic Patterns:
- Bounded Contexts: Separate models for different domains
- Context Mapping: How contexts relate
- Ubiquitous Language: Shared terminology
Tactical Patterns:
- Entities: Objects with identity
- Value Objects: Immutable objects defined by attributes
- Aggregates: Consistency boundaries
- Repositories: Data access abstraction
- Domain Events: Things that happened
Clean Architecture Pattern
Directory Structure
app/
├── domain/ # Entities & business rules
│ ├── entities/
│ │ ├── user.py
│ │ └── order.py
│ ├── value_objects/
│ │ ├── email.py
│ │ └── money.py
│ └── interfaces/ # Abstract interfaces
│ ├── user_repository.py
│ └── payment_gateway.py
├── use_cases/ # Application business rules
│ ├── create_user.py
│ ├── process_order.py
│ └── send_notification.py
├── adapters/ # Interface implementations
│ ├── repositories/
│ │ ├── postgres_user_repository.py
│ │ └── redis_cache_repository.py
│ ├── controllers/
│ │ └── user_controller.py
│ └── gateways/
│ ├── stripe_payment_gateway.py
│ └── sendgrid_email_gateway.py
└── infrastructure/ # Framework & external concerns
├── database.py
├── config.py
└── logging.py
Implementation Example
1# domain/entities/user.py
2from dataclasses import dataclass
3from datetime import datetime
4from typing import Optional
5
6@dataclass
7class User:
8 """Core user entity - no framework dependencies."""
9 id: str
10 email: str
11 name: str
12 created_at: datetime
13 is_active: bool = True
14
15 def deactivate(self):
16 """Business rule: deactivating user."""
17 self.is_active = False
18
19 def can_place_order(self) -> bool:
20 """Business rule: active users can order."""
21 return self.is_active
22
23# domain/interfaces/user_repository.py
24from abc import ABC, abstractmethod
25from typing import Optional, List
26from domain.entities.user import User
27
28class IUserRepository(ABC):
29 """Port: defines contract, no implementation."""
30
31 @abstractmethod
32 async def find_by_id(self, user_id: str) -> Optional[User]:
33 pass
34
35 @abstractmethod
36 async def find_by_email(self, email: str) -> Optional[User]:
37 pass
38
39 @abstractmethod
40 async def save(self, user: User) -> User:
41 pass
42
43 @abstractmethod
44 async def delete(self, user_id: str) -> bool:
45 pass
46
47# use_cases/create_user.py
48from domain.entities.user import User
49from domain.interfaces.user_repository import IUserRepository
50from dataclasses import dataclass
51from datetime import datetime
52import uuid
53
54@dataclass
55class CreateUserRequest:
56 email: str
57 name: str
58
59@dataclass
60class CreateUserResponse:
61 user: User
62 success: bool
63 error: Optional[str] = None
64
65class CreateUserUseCase:
66 """Use case: orchestrates business logic."""
67
68 def __init__(self, user_repository: IUserRepository):
69 self.user_repository = user_repository
70
71 async def execute(self, request: CreateUserRequest) -> CreateUserResponse:
72 # Business validation
73 existing = await self.user_repository.find_by_email(request.email)
74 if existing:
75 return CreateUserResponse(
76 user=None,
77 success=False,
78 error="Email already exists"
79 )
80
81 # Create entity
82 user = User(
83 id=str(uuid.uuid4()),
84 email=request.email,
85 name=request.name,
86 created_at=datetime.now(),
87 is_active=True
88 )
89
90 # Persist
91 saved_user = await self.user_repository.save(user)
92
93 return CreateUserResponse(
94 user=saved_user,
95 success=True
96 )
97
98# adapters/repositories/postgres_user_repository.py
99from domain.interfaces.user_repository import IUserRepository
100from domain.entities.user import User
101from typing import Optional
102import asyncpg
103
104class PostgresUserRepository(IUserRepository):
105 """Adapter: PostgreSQL implementation."""
106
107 def __init__(self, pool: asyncpg.Pool):
108 self.pool = pool
109
110 async def find_by_id(self, user_id: str) -> Optional[User]:
111 async with self.pool.acquire() as conn:
112 row = await conn.fetchrow(
113 "SELECT * FROM users WHERE id = $1", user_id
114 )
115 return self._to_entity(row) if row else None
116
117 async def find_by_email(self, email: str) -> Optional[User]:
118 async with self.pool.acquire() as conn:
119 row = await conn.fetchrow(
120 "SELECT * FROM users WHERE email = $1", email
121 )
122 return self._to_entity(row) if row else None
123
124 async def save(self, user: User) -> User:
125 async with self.pool.acquire() as conn:
126 await conn.execute(
127 """
128 INSERT INTO users (id, email, name, created_at, is_active)
129 VALUES ($1, $2, $3, $4, $5)
130 ON CONFLICT (id) DO UPDATE
131 SET email = $2, name = $3, is_active = $5
132 """,
133 user.id, user.email, user.name, user.created_at, user.is_active
134 )
135 return user
136
137 async def delete(self, user_id: str) -> bool:
138 async with self.pool.acquire() as conn:
139 result = await conn.execute(
140 "DELETE FROM users WHERE id = $1", user_id
141 )
142 return result == "DELETE 1"
143
144 def _to_entity(self, row) -> User:
145 """Map database row to entity."""
146 return User(
147 id=row["id"],
148 email=row["email"],
149 name=row["name"],
150 created_at=row["created_at"],
151 is_active=row["is_active"]
152 )
153
154# adapters/controllers/user_controller.py
155from fastapi import APIRouter, Depends, HTTPException
156from use_cases.create_user import CreateUserUseCase, CreateUserRequest
157from pydantic import BaseModel
158
159router = APIRouter()
160
161class CreateUserDTO(BaseModel):
162 email: str
163 name: str
164
165@router.post("/users")
166async def create_user(
167 dto: CreateUserDTO,
168 use_case: CreateUserUseCase = Depends(get_create_user_use_case)
169):
170 """Controller: handles HTTP concerns only."""
171 request = CreateUserRequest(email=dto.email, name=dto.name)
172 response = await use_case.execute(request)
173
174 if not response.success:
175 raise HTTPException(status_code=400, detail=response.error)
176
177 return {"user": response.user}
Hexagonal Architecture Pattern
1# Core domain (hexagon center)
2class OrderService:
3 """Domain service - no infrastructure dependencies."""
4
5 def __init__(
6 self,
7 order_repository: OrderRepositoryPort,
8 payment_gateway: PaymentGatewayPort,
9 notification_service: NotificationPort
10 ):
11 self.orders = order_repository
12 self.payments = payment_gateway
13 self.notifications = notification_service
14
15 async def place_order(self, order: Order) -> OrderResult:
16 # Business logic
17 if not order.is_valid():
18 return OrderResult(success=False, error="Invalid order")
19
20 # Use ports (interfaces)
21 payment = await self.payments.charge(
22 amount=order.total,
23 customer=order.customer_id
24 )
25
26 if not payment.success:
27 return OrderResult(success=False, error="Payment failed")
28
29 order.mark_as_paid()
30 saved_order = await self.orders.save(order)
31
32 await self.notifications.send(
33 to=order.customer_email,
34 subject="Order confirmed",
35 body=f"Order {order.id} confirmed"
36 )
37
38 return OrderResult(success=True, order=saved_order)
39
40# Ports (interfaces)
41class OrderRepositoryPort(ABC):
42 @abstractmethod
43 async def save(self, order: Order) -> Order:
44 pass
45
46class PaymentGatewayPort(ABC):
47 @abstractmethod
48 async def charge(self, amount: Money, customer: str) -> PaymentResult:
49 pass
50
51class NotificationPort(ABC):
52 @abstractmethod
53 async def send(self, to: str, subject: str, body: str):
54 pass
55
56# Adapters (implementations)
57class StripePaymentAdapter(PaymentGatewayPort):
58 """Primary adapter: connects to Stripe API."""
59
60 def __init__(self, api_key: str):
61 self.stripe = stripe
62 self.stripe.api_key = api_key
63
64 async def charge(self, amount: Money, customer: str) -> PaymentResult:
65 try:
66 charge = self.stripe.Charge.create(
67 amount=amount.cents,
68 currency=amount.currency,
69 customer=customer
70 )
71 return PaymentResult(success=True, transaction_id=charge.id)
72 except stripe.error.CardError as e:
73 return PaymentResult(success=False, error=str(e))
74
75class MockPaymentAdapter(PaymentGatewayPort):
76 """Test adapter: no external dependencies."""
77
78 async def charge(self, amount: Money, customer: str) -> PaymentResult:
79 return PaymentResult(success=True, transaction_id="mock-123")
Domain-Driven Design Pattern
1# Value Objects (immutable)
2from dataclasses import dataclass
3from typing import Optional
4
5@dataclass(frozen=True)
6class Email:
7 """Value object: validated email."""
8 value: str
9
10 def __post_init__(self):
11 if "@" not in self.value:
12 raise ValueError("Invalid email")
13
14@dataclass(frozen=True)
15class Money:
16 """Value object: amount with currency."""
17 amount: int # cents
18 currency: str
19
20 def add(self, other: "Money") -> "Money":
21 if self.currency != other.currency:
22 raise ValueError("Currency mismatch")
23 return Money(self.amount + other.amount, self.currency)
24
25# Entities (with identity)
26class Order:
27 """Entity: has identity, mutable state."""
28
29 def __init__(self, id: str, customer: Customer):
30 self.id = id
31 self.customer = customer
32 self.items: List[OrderItem] = []
33 self.status = OrderStatus.PENDING
34 self._events: List[DomainEvent] = []
35
36 def add_item(self, product: Product, quantity: int):
37 """Business logic in entity."""
38 item = OrderItem(product, quantity)
39 self.items.append(item)
40 self._events.append(ItemAddedEvent(self.id, item))
41
42 def total(self) -> Money:
43 """Calculated property."""
44 return sum(item.subtotal() for item in self.items)
45
46 def submit(self):
47 """State transition with business rules."""
48 if not self.items:
49 raise ValueError("Cannot submit empty order")
50 if self.status != OrderStatus.PENDING:
51 raise ValueError("Order already submitted")
52
53 self.status = OrderStatus.SUBMITTED
54 self._events.append(OrderSubmittedEvent(self.id))
55
56# Aggregates (consistency boundary)
57class Customer:
58 """Aggregate root: controls access to entities."""
59
60 def __init__(self, id: str, email: Email):
61 self.id = id
62 self.email = email
63 self._addresses: List[Address] = []
64 self._orders: List[str] = [] # Order IDs, not full objects
65
66 def add_address(self, address: Address):
67 """Aggregate enforces invariants."""
68 if len(self._addresses) >= 5:
69 raise ValueError("Maximum 5 addresses allowed")
70 self._addresses.append(address)
71
72 @property
73 def primary_address(self) -> Optional[Address]:
74 return next((a for a in self._addresses if a.is_primary), None)
75
76# Domain Events
77@dataclass
78class OrderSubmittedEvent:
79 order_id: str
80 occurred_at: datetime = field(default_factory=datetime.now)
81
82# Repository (aggregate persistence)
83class OrderRepository:
84 """Repository: persist/retrieve aggregates."""
85
86 async def find_by_id(self, order_id: str) -> Optional[Order]:
87 """Reconstitute aggregate from storage."""
88 pass
89
90 async def save(self, order: Order):
91 """Persist aggregate and publish events."""
92 await self._persist(order)
93 await self._publish_events(order._events)
94 order._events.clear()
Resources
- references/clean-architecture-guide.md: Detailed layer breakdown
- references/hexagonal-architecture-guide.md: Ports and adapters patterns
- references/ddd-tactical-patterns.md: Entities, value objects, aggregates
- assets/clean-architecture-template/: Complete project structure
- assets/ddd-examples/: Domain modeling examples
Best Practices
- Dependency Rule: Dependencies always point inward
- Interface Segregation: Small, focused interfaces
- Business Logic in Domain: Keep frameworks out of core
- Test Independence: Core testable without infrastructure
- Bounded Contexts: Clear domain boundaries
- Ubiquitous Language: Consistent terminology
- Thin Controllers: Delegate to use cases
- Rich Domain Models: Behavior with data
Common Pitfalls
- Anemic Domain: Entities with only data, no behavior
- Framework Coupling: Business logic depends on frameworks
- Fat Controllers: Business logic in controllers
- Repository Leakage: Exposing ORM objects
- Missing Abstractions: Concrete dependencies in core
- Over-Engineering: Clean architecture for simple CRUD
What Users Are Saying
Real feedback from the community
Environment Matrix
Dependencies
Framework Support
Context Window
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Information
- Author
- wshobson
- Updated
- 2026-01-30
- Category
- architecture-patterns
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