Akmon does not dictate your system architecture—it documents and executes against the architecture you describe. These patterns work well in practice.
When: Small teams, one deployable.
How:
- Maintain Product, Architecture, Conventions, Current sprint in
AKMON.md(reference). - Run
akmon --planbefore refactors that touch many modules. - Use
/update-contextin the TUI when editingAKMON.mdmid-session.
Risk: Drift if nobody updates Current sprint—treat it like a stand-up note.
When: Expensive frontier models, or you want cheap exploration before precise edits.
How:
- Architect mode: planner model writes a plan file, main model implements.
- Or manual:
--plan+ review +--yes --task.
Risk: Plans can go stale; re-run plan if main branch moved.
When: New features with unclear scope; need written artifacts for review.
How: Spec workflow — akmon spec … phases under .akmon/specs/.
Risk: More ceremony; best when the spec is genuinely reviewed by humans.
When: Nightly hygiene (formatters, comment sweeps) without full write access in CI.
How:
- Narrow
--taskin automation; require PR for merges. - Keep destructive operations out of unattended jobs.
Risk: Broad tasks in --yes can still surprise you—scope tightly.
When: Several services share conventions.
How:
- One
AKMON.mdat root with Architecture mapping services; or per-service nested guides linked from root. - Run Akmon from the service subdirectory when the sandbox should be minimal.
Risk: Wrong working directory → wrong paths; always cd to the intended git root.
When: Regulated or long-lived systems.
How:
- Commit plans under
.akmon/plans/as part of the change record. - Export audit JSONL to your retention system.
Risk: Treat plans as non-authoritative unless your process says otherwise—they are agent output, not legal sign-off.
| Need | Start with |
|---|---|
| Fast iteration | Interactive akmon chat + tight Current sprint |
| Cost control | Plan mode + local model, then targeted --yes |
| Large redesign | Architect mode or explicit --plan review |
| New product area | Spec workflow |
| CI | Headless JSON + narrow tasks + read-heavy defaults |