# Design Document

## For <Feature Name>

- **Version:** 0.1
- **Author:** <author>
- **Date:** <date>
- **Status:** Draft | In Review | Approved

---

## Overview

A brief (2-3 paragraph) description of what this feature/system does, why it's being built, and the key goals it aims to achieve.

## Components

List the major components involved in this feature, with clear ownership boundaries. For each component, briefly describe its responsibility.

- **Component A (Technology/Team)**
  - Responsibility description
  - Key interfaces or dependencies

- **Component B (Technology/Team)**
  - Responsibility description
  - Key interfaces or dependencies

## Request Flows

Describe the main user/system flows with numbered steps. Include multiple flows if there are distinct paths (e.g., authenticated vs. public access).

### Flow 1: <Flow Name>

1. User/system initiates action
2. Component A processes request
3. Component B responds
4. Result returned to user

### Flow 2: <Flow Name>

1. ...

## API Contracts

Document the key API endpoints, WebSocket messages, or inter-service contracts.

```
METHOD /api/endpoint
Headers:
  Authorization: Bearer <token>
Body:
  field: type

Response:
  200 OK -> { response_schema }
  4xx/5xx -> error cases
```

## Data Models / Schemas

Define key data structures, database schema changes, or message formats.

| Field | Type | Description |
|-------|------|-------------|
| id | string | Unique identifier |
| ... | ... | ... |

Or use JSON/code blocks for complex schemas:

```json
{
  "field": "type",
  "nested": {
    "child": "type"
  }
}
```

## Security Considerations

- Authentication/authorization requirements
- Data privacy and redaction needs
- Input validation and sanitization
- CORS, rate limiting, abuse prevention
- Secrets management

## Performance Considerations

- Expected load/throughput
- Caching strategy
- Pagination or lazy loading needs
- Resource constraints

## Testing Strategy

- **Unit tests**: Key logic to cover
- **Integration tests**: API and service interaction tests
- **Manual QA checklist**: Critical user flows to verify

## Rollout Plan

1. Phase 1: Internal/flag-gated deployment
2. Phase 2: Limited rollout with monitoring
3. Phase 3: General availability

Include feature flags, migration steps, or backwards compatibility notes.

## Open Issues

- [ ] Unresolved question or decision
- [ ] Dependency on external team/service
- [ ] Future work explicitly deferred

---

## Revision History

| Date | Author | Changes |
|------|--------|---------|
| | | Initial draft |
