{
  "meta": {
    "title": "4-Way Architectural Decision Matrix for Founders",
    "author": "BarakahSoft LLC Systems Architecture",
    "version": "2.4.0",
    "purpose": "Prevents overengineering AI agents when simpler code or SaaS exists"
  },
  "rules": [
    {
      "category": "EXISTING_SAAS",
      "criterion": "Problem is solved by an existing reputable off-the-shelf product under $100/mo.",
      "action": "REPLACE_WITH_SAAS",
      "examples": [
        "Shopify Inventory Planner (Stocky)",
        "Klaviyo email flows",
        "Gorgias Helpdesk",
        "Triple Whale P&L"
      ],
      "rationale": "Maintenance cost of custom API connectors exceeds SaaS subscription by 20x."
    },
    {
      "category": "DETERMINISTIC_SOFTWARE",
      "criterion": "Outcome has zero ambiguity, relies on mathematical invariants, or handles ACID transactions.",
      "action": "BUILD_AS_CODE",
      "examples": [
        "Inventory stock sync across channels",
        "Order fulfillment status webhooks",
        "Database ETL pipelines"
      ],
      "rationale": "LLMs hallucinate math and introduce flakiness. Code is 100% reliable and zero token cost."
    },
    {
      "category": "DOCUMENTED_SOP",
      "criterion": "Task requires human judgment or community empathy with low frequency (under 5x/day).",
      "action": "WRITE_HUMAN_SOP",
      "examples": [
        "Discord community dispute resolution",
        "High-tier wholesale partnership negotiation"
      ],
      "rationale": "Building an agent costs $5k+ and risks brand reputation when bots give tone-deaf replies."
    },
    {
      "category": "AUTONOMOUS_AGENT",
      "criterion": "Task requires creative iteration, multi-step tool execution, and dynamic context synthesis.",
      "action": "DEPLOY_GUARDRAILED_AGENT",
      "examples": [
        "AlcoEaze UGC ad script variation swarm",
        "TikTok Shop creator personalized seeding"
      ],
      "rationale": "Direct revenue driver where variance and speed create massive competitive advantage."
    }
  ]
}