Architecture-first · CLI-first · IDE-agnostic

Define the architecture before you write a line of code.

ArtQ guides you through concrete questions to clarify scope, constraints, and structure—then generates files your coding agent can actually use.

Start free See how it works

Think before you build

terminal

$ arch init
? What are you building?
  REST API for invoicing with Stripe webhooks
? Who are the primary users?
  Freelancers sending invoices to clients
? Key constraints?
  Must work offline-first, deploy to Vercel
✓ handoff/README.md
✓ architecture.md
✓ implementation-plan.md
✓ test-plan.md
✓ review-checklist.md

The problem

Most AI-assisted projects start coding too early.

You prompt a coding agent and get files before the problem is clear.
Scope drifts. Architecture decisions happen by accident.
You end up refactoring what should have been defined upfront.

The approach

Clarity before implementation.

Answer guided questions about scope, users, constraints, and trade-offs.
Get structured architecture artifacts—not vague chat output.
Hand off a clear plan to any coding agent, or build it yourself.

How it works

Three steps from idea to architecture files.

No chat threads. No vague prompts. A structured flow that ends with files you can use.

01
Answer guided questions
ArtQ asks the questions you'd skip when rushing to code—users, boundaries, data flow, and constraints.
02
Get architecture-ready files
Receive an implementation-ready handoff package: architecture docs, plans, checklists, and a handoff/ guide for agents or developers.
03
Build with any agent—or solo
Use the files with Cursor, Claude Code, Copilot, or your own workflow. No vendor lock-in.

Methods

Pick a workflow that matches your project.

Each method shapes the questions and artifacts around a different way of building.

Simple Project

Quick start

For small features and MVPs. Covers scope, core entities, and a lean implementation path without over-engineering.

Harness Architecture

Agent workflows

Structures your project for coding agents with clear boundaries, file conventions, and handoff points.

TDD Architecture

Test-first

Defines behavior specs and test boundaries before implementation. Ideal when correctness matters more than speed.

Clean Architecture

Layered

Maps domains, use cases, and adapters explicitly. For projects where maintainability is the primary constraint.

Artifacts

Structured output, not chat noise.

Every session produces markdown files you can commit, share, or hand off to a coding agent.

System boundaries, components, data flow, and key decisions.

architecture.md

# Architecture: invoice-api

## Context
REST API for freelancers to create and send invoices.
Stripe handles payments; we store invoice metadata.

## Components
- API layer (Next.js route handlers)
- Domain services (Invoice, Client)
- Stripe adapter (webhooks + checkout)

## Decisions
- Offline-first: queue sync on reconnect
- Auth: Clerk JWT, scoped to user org

Who it's for

Built for developers who want less ambiguity.

Whether you're learning structure or already shipping with agents, ArtQ gives you a clearer starting point.

Junior developers

Learn how to think about structure before jumping into syntax. ArtQ teaches the questions senior devs ask.

Indie hackers

Ship faster with less rework. Define your MVP scope clearly so you don't build the wrong thing.

Freelancers

Start client projects with documented architecture and plans you can share and iterate on.

Agent power users

Already using Cursor or Claude Code? Give your agent structured context instead of long chat threads.

Differentiation

Not another coding assistant.

Coding agents are great at writing code. ArtQ is for the step before—when decisions still matter.

	AI coding assistants	ArtQ
Primary focus	Writing and editing code	Defining architecture and plan
Output	Files, diffs, suggestions	Structured markdown artifacts
When it helps most	During implementation	Before implementation
Workflow	IDE-integrated chat	CLI-first, agent-agnostic
Best for	Speeding up coding tasks	Reducing ambiguity and rework

Pricing

Simple pricing. No surprises.

Free for small projects. Pro when you need advanced methods and review workflows.

View pricing

Docs

Install the CLI and run your first project.

Getting started takes a few minutes. Install the CLI, run arch init, and review your generated files.

Read the docs

Preview

See it in action

CLI walkthrough and generated artifacts—screenshots coming soon.

Screenshot 1 — coming soon

Screenshot 2 — coming soon

Stop guessing. Start with a plan.

Install the CLI, answer a few questions, and get an implementation-ready handoff package in minutes—not hours of back-and-forth.

Start free Install CLI

npm install -g @arch/cli