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name: adapt-architecture locale: caveman-ultra source_locale: en source_commit: 82c77053 fence_basis_commit: 82c77053 translator: "Julius Brussee homage — caveman" translation_date: "2026-04-19" description: > Execute structural metamorphosis using strangler fig migration, chrysalis phases, and interface preservation. Covers transformation planning, parallel running, progressive cutover, rollback design, and post-metamorphosis stabilization for system architecture evolution. Use when assess-form has classified the system as READY for transformation, when migrating from monolith to microservices, when replacing a core subsystem while dependents continue operating, or when any architectural change must be gradual rather than big-bang. license: MIT allowed-tools: Read metadata: author: Philipp Thoss version: "1.0" domain: morphic complexity: intermediate language: natural tags: morphic, adaptation, architecture, migration, strangler-fig

Adapt Architecture

Structural metamorphosis → system transform current → target form. Strangler fig, chrysalis, interface preserve → never stops.

Use When

• assess-form → READY
• Evolve architecture, no downtime
• Monolith ↔ microservices
• Replace core subsystem, dependents keep running
• Data model evolve w/ backward compat
• Gradual, not big-bang

In

• Required: Current form assessment (assess-form)
• Required: Target architecture
• Required: Operational continuity reqs
• Optional: Transform budget (time, people, compute)
• Optional: Rollback reqs
• Optional: Parallel run duration

Do

Step 1: Blueprint

Plan path current → target.

1. Sequence of intermediate forms:
   • Current → Intermediate 1 → ... → Target
   • Each intermediate operationally viable
   • No intermediate harder to maintain
2. Seams:
   • Where cut current to insert new?
   • Natural: interfaces, module bounds, data partitions
   • Artificial: anti-corruption layers
3. Pattern:
   • Strangler fig: new grows around old, replaces gradually
   • Chrysalis: wrap old, replace internals, shell preserves external interface
   • Budding: parallel, traffic shifts (see scale-colony)
   • Metamorphic migration: phased in dep order (leaves→roots)
4. Interface preservation layer:
   • External consumers no disrupt
   • API versioning, backward-compat, adapters
   • Temp scaffold → plan removal

Metamorphosis Patterns:
┌───────────────┬───────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Strangler Fig │ New code intercepts routes one by one;            │
│               │ old code handles everything else until replaced   │
│               │ ┌──────────┐                                     │
│               │ │ Old ████ │ → │ Old ██ New ██ │ → │ New ████ │  │
│               │ └──────────┘                                     │
├───────────────┼───────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Chrysalis     │ Wrap old system in new interface; replace         │
│               │ internals while external shell stays stable       │
│               │ ┌──────────┐     ┌──[new]───┐     ┌──[new]───┐  │
│               │ │ old core │ → │ old core │ → │ new core │  │
│               │ └──────────┘     └──────────┘     └──────────┘  │
├───────────────┼───────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Budding       │ New system runs in parallel; traffic shifts       │
│               │ ┌──────┐ ┌──────┐     ┌──────┐ ┌──────┐         │
│               │ │ Old  │ │ New  │  →  │ Old  │ │ New  │         │
│               │ │ 100% │ │  0%  │     │  0%  │ │ 100% │         │
│               │ └──────┘ └──────┘     └──────┘ └──────┘         │
└───────────────┴───────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

→ Blueprint: intermediate forms, seams, pattern, preservation strategy. Concrete + testable.

If err: No clean seam → preliminary dissolution (dissolve-form) first. Intermediates not viable → steps too large → decompose.

Step 2: Scaffold

Temp infra → supports metamorphosis.

1. Anti-corruption layer:
   • Thin translation old ↔ new
   • Routes reqs → correct system per migration state
   • Translates data formats
   • "Cocoon" protects transform
2. Parallel run infra:
   • Both systems deployable simultaneously
   • Feature flags → traffic routing
   • Comparison validates equivalence
3. Rollback checkpoints:
   • Each intermediate → rollback possible
   • Rollback faster than forward step
   • Data migration reversible (or dual-write during transition)
4. Valid. harness:
   • Auto tests → operational continuity
   • Perf benchmarks → regression detection
   • Data integrity checks

→ Scaffold (anti-corruption, parallel, rollback, valid.) in place pre-transform. Scaffold itself tested.

If err: Too expensive → simplify. Minimum: feature flag + rollback proc. Anti-corruption + parallel optional for small transforms.

Step 3: Progressive Cutover

Migrate incrementally.

1. Order components:
   • Start least-coupled, lowest-risk → build confidence
   • Progress → more critical
   • Most coupled/critical last
2. Per component: a. Impl new ver behind anti-corruption layer b. Parallel: both process same in c. Compare out → equivalent (or differences documented) d. Confident → flip feature flag → switch traffic e. Monitor anomalies (increased sensitivity) f. Stable → decommission old ver
3. Continuous delivery:
   • Each cutover = normal deploy, not event
   • System always known, tested, operational
   • Issue → rollback → prev state operational

→ Functionality migrates component-by-component w/ valid. at each step. System always operational.

If err: Parallel reveals discrepancies → new impl bug → fix before cutover. Perf degrade → optimize new or anti-corruption layer too heavy. Team loses confidence → pause + stabilize. Half-migrated known > rushed full.

Step 4: Chrysalis Phase

Manage most vulnerable period — system between forms.

1. Chrysalis reality:
   • Partly old + partly new during migration
   • Hybrid more complex than pure state
   • Complexity peaks at midpoint
2. Discipline:
   • No new features during chrysalis
   • Freeze non-essential deploys
   • Increased monitoring + on-call
   • Daily check-ins
3. Mid-chrysalis assessment:
   • Halfway → target still right?
   • Market/reqs/team change?
   • Continue, pause, redirect?
4. Protect:
   • Rollback path clear always
   • Doc hybrid state → future debuggers need
   • Resist "clean up" scaffold pre-complete

→ Chrysalis = deliberate, time-bounded, increased discipline + monitoring. Temp complexity = cost of safe transform.

If err: Drags too long → hybrid = new normal = worse than either. Set time limit. Limit hit → accelerate or accept hybrid as "new form".

Step 5: Complete + Stabilize

Finish + remove scaffold.

1. Final cutover:
   • Migrate last components
   • Full valid. against complete new system
   • Perf test under prod load
2. Remove scaffold:
   • Decommission anti-corruption layer
   • Remove migration feature flags
   • Clean up parallel infra
   • Archive (don't delete) old code
3. Post-metamorphosis stabilization:
   • Run new form 2-4 weeks w/ enhanced monitoring
   • Address real-world issues
   • Update docs → new architecture
4. Retrospective:
   • What went well?
   • Harder than expected?
   • Do differently next?
   • Update playbook

→ Transform complete. System new form. Scaffold removed. Docs updated. Team captured learnings.

If err: New form unstable post-cutover → maintain rollback, continue stabilize. Stabilize > planned period → design issue → targeted fixes or partial rollback worst component.

Check

• Blueprint shows viable intermediates
• Scaffold in place pre-migration
• Components migrate low→high risk
• Parallel validates equivalence each step
• Chrysalis time-bounded + feature freeze
• All scaffold removed post-transform
• Post-metamorphosis stabilization passes
• Retro captures learnings

Traps

• Big-bang: Transform all at once → abandons incremental safety → max blast radius. Always incremental.
• Permanent scaffold: Never removed → tech debt. Plan removal part of transform.
• Chrysalis denial: Pretending hybrid normal → features on unstable foundation. Enforce discipline.
• Target fixation: Better alternative signs ignored. Mid-chrysalis assessment exists for this.
• Transform fatigue: Long migrations exhaust teams. Days, not weeks per step. Celebrate milestones.

→

• assess-form — prereq assessment
• dissolve-form — rigid systems → create seams
• repair-damage — recovery when transform damages
• shift-camouflage — surface adapt may suffice
• coordinate-swarm — swarm sequencing across distributed
• scale-colony — growth pressure triggers architectural adapt
• implement-gitops-workflow — GitOps deploy infra for cutover
• review-software-architecture — evaluate target architecture