---
title: "Preventing Agent Conflicts"
description: How architecture prevents conflicts when multiple agents implement a system
sidebar:
  order: 4
---

When multiple AI agents implement different parts of a system, they can make conflicting technical decisions. Architecture documentation prevents this by establishing shared standards.

## Common Conflict Types

### API Style Conflicts

Without architecture:
- Agent A uses REST with `/users/{id}`
- Agent B uses GraphQL mutations
- Result: Inconsistent API patterns, confused consumers

With architecture:
- ADR specifies: "Use GraphQL for all client-server communication"
- All agents follow the same pattern

### Database Design Conflicts

Without architecture:
- Agent A uses snake_case column names
- Agent B uses camelCase column names
- Result: Inconsistent schema, confusing queries

With architecture:
- Standards document specifies naming conventions
- All agents follow the same patterns

### State Management Conflicts

Without architecture:
- Agent A uses Redux for global state
- Agent B uses React Context
- Result: Multiple state management approaches, complexity

With architecture:
- ADR specifies state management approach
- All agents implement consistently

## How Architecture Prevents Conflicts

### 1. Explicit Decisions via ADRs

Every significant technology choice is documented with:
- Context (why this decision matters)
- Options considered (what alternatives exist)
- Decision (what we chose)
- Rationale (why we chose it)
- Consequences (trade-offs accepted)

### 2. FR/NFR-Specific Guidance

Architecture maps each functional requirement to technical approach:
- FR-001: User Management → GraphQL mutations
- FR-002: Mobile App → Optimized queries

### 3. Standards and Conventions

Explicit documentation of:
- Directory structure
- Naming conventions
- Code organization
- Testing patterns

## Architecture as Shared Context

Think of architecture as the shared context that all agents read before implementing:

```text
PRD: "What to build"
     ↓
Architecture: "How to build it"
     ↓
Agent A reads architecture → implements Epic 1
Agent B reads architecture → implements Epic 2
Agent C reads architecture → implements Epic 3
     ↓
Result: Consistent implementation
```

## Key ADR Topics

Common decisions that prevent conflicts:

| Topic            | Example Decision                             |
| ---------------- | -------------------------------------------- |
| API Style        | GraphQL vs REST vs gRPC                      |
| Database         | PostgreSQL vs MongoDB                        |
| Auth             | JWT vs Sessions                              |
| State Management | Redux vs Context vs Zustand                  |
| Styling          | CSS Modules vs Tailwind vs Styled Components |
| Testing          | Jest + Playwright vs Vitest + Cypress        |

## Anti-Patterns to Avoid

:::caution[Common Mistakes]
- **Implicit Decisions** — "We'll figure out the API style as we go" leads to inconsistency
- **Over-Documentation** — Documenting every minor choice causes analysis paralysis
- **Stale Architecture** — Documents written once and never updated cause agents to follow outdated patterns
:::

:::tip[Correct Approach]
- Document decisions that cross epic boundaries
- Focus on conflict-prone areas
- Update architecture as you learn
- Use `bmad-correct-course` for significant changes
:::
