---
title: Use Python with Type Hints for ADR Management Tool
status: accepted
date: 2024-01-15
authors:
  - m1yag1
tags:
  - language
  - tooling
---

# 0001. Use Python with Type Hints for ADR Management Tool

Date: 2024-01-15

## Status

accepted

## Context

We need a tool to manage Architecture Decision Records (ADRs) for our projects.
The tool should be easy to use, maintainable, and follow modern development
practices. Several implementation options exist:

- **Go CLI tool**: Fast binary distribution but less familiar to team
- **Bash scripts**: Simple but difficult to maintain and extend
- **Node.js tool**: Good ecosystem but team prefers Python
- **Python tool**: Familiar to team, rich ecosystem, good tooling

## Decision

We will build an ADR management tool using Python with the following
characteristics:

- **Python 3.11+**: Modern Python with latest language features
- **Type hints**: Full type safety using mypy strict mode
- **Domain-driven design**: Clear separation of concerns
- **Pydantic models**: Data validation and serialization
- **Click CLI**: Rich command-line interface with Rich output
- **uv package manager**: Fast, modern Python package management
- **File-based storage**: Human-readable Markdown files

## Consequences

### Positive

- **Type Safety**: Fewer runtime errors through static analysis
- **Maintainability**: Clear architecture with domain modeling
- **Developer Experience**: Rich CLI with helpful output
- **Modern Tooling**: Fast dependency management with uv
- **Readable Output**: Markdown files can be read and edited manually
- **Version Control Friendly**: Text-based storage works well with Git

### Negative

- **Python Dependency**: Requires Python runtime installed
- **Learning Curve**: Developers need to understand domain concepts
- **File System Limitations**: No concurrent access protection
