Glossary
A reference of key terms used in this framework.
A
ADR (Architecture Decision Record)
A document capturing an important architectural decision, including context, decision, and consequences. ADRs provide traceable history of why systems are built a certain way.
Agent
An AI system capable of autonomous action. In this framework, refers to AI coding assistants (like Claude Code) that can read, write, and reason about code.
Agentic Framework
A software framework designed for building AI agent applications. Examples: Claude Agent SDK, LangChain, AutoGPT.
AI-DLC (AI-Driven Development Life Cycle)
A software development lifecycle methodology that integrates AI agents as primary executors, with humans focusing on direction, decision, and verification. Introduced by AWS at DevSphere 2025, emphasizing AI-powered execution with human oversight and dynamic team collaboration.
- AWS: AI-Driven Development Life Cycle - AWS official introduction
- AWS: Open-Sourcing AI-DLC Workflows - Open-source workflows
- AI-DLC Proposal - This framework's extension
B
BFF (Backend for Frontend)
An architectural pattern where a dedicated backend service is created for each frontend application, optimizing API responses for specific client needs.
C
CLAUDE.md
A markdown file placed in project roots to provide context and instructions to Claude Code. Acts as project-specific configuration for AI agents.
Clean Context
The practice of maintaining well-organized, up-to-date documentation and specifications that AI agents can reliably use. Opposite of context pollution.
Context Engineering
The discipline of designing, curating, and maintaining information structures that enable AI agents to work effectively. Includes documentation, specifications, and knowledge organization.
- Anthropic: Effective Context Engineering - Anthropic's official guide
Context Pollution
Accumulation of outdated, contradictory, or poorly organized information that degrades AI agent performance and leads to incorrect outputs.
Contract-First Development
An approach where API contracts (OpenAPI specs) are defined before implementation, ensuring clear interfaces between systems.
D
Design Token
A platform-agnostic variable representing a design decision (colors, typography, spacing). W3C DTCG is standardizing the format.
DDD (Domain-Driven Design)
A software design approach focusing on modeling software to match a domain according to input from domain experts.
DTCG (Design Tokens Community Group)
A W3C community group working on standardizing design token formats for interoperability between design tools and development platforms.
E
Elaboration
The process of refining and expanding initial requirements into detailed specifications. In AI-DLC, often done collaboratively with AI agents.
G
Guild
A cross-functional community of practice within an organization, sharing knowledge and standards across teams. Example: Frontend Guild, API Guild.
H
Hallucination
When an AI generates content that is factually incorrect, fabricated, or inconsistent with provided context. A key risk requiring human verification.
HTTP QUERY Method
A proposed HTTP method (IETF draft) that combines GET semantics with request body support, solving URL length limitations for complex queries.
M
MCP (Model Context Protocol)
A protocol for providing structured context to AI models, enabling consistent and reliable AI interactions.
Mob Programming
A software development approach where the whole team works together on the same thing, at the same time, on the same computer.
MVP (Minimum Viable Product)
The smallest version of a product that can be released to validate assumptions and gather feedback.
O
OffscreenCanvas
A Web API allowing canvas rendering in Web Workers, enabling heavy graphics processing without blocking the main thread.
OpenAPI (OAS)
A specification for describing REST APIs. Formerly known as Swagger. Used for contract-first development and API documentation.
OpenSpec
A structured approach to managing specifications and proposals within a codebase, using standardized formats and workflows.
P
PRD (Product Requirements Document)
A document describing the purpose, features, and behavior of a product or feature from a product management perspective.
R
RFC (Request for Comments)
A formal document proposing standards or describing methods. RFC 2119 defines requirement level keywords (MUST, SHOULD, MAY).
S
Single Source of Truth (SSOT)
The practice of structuring information so that every data element is stored exactly once. In this framework, refers to canonical specifications.
Spec (Specification)
A detailed document describing requirements, behavior, or design of a system component. Types include API specs, UX specs, and technical specs.
- Wikipedia: Specification - General definition
T
T-Shaped Skills
Having deep expertise in one area (vertical bar) combined with broad knowledge across related areas (horizontal bar).
Tech Radar
A visualization tool (originated at ThoughtWorks) showing technology adoption status across categories. Uses rings: Adopt, Trial, Assess, Hold.
Transferable Streams
A Web API allowing streams to be transferred between contexts (main thread to worker), enabling efficient data processing pipelines.
U
Ubiquitous Language
A DDD concept where a common vocabulary is shared between developers and domain experts, used consistently in code and documentation.
V
View Transitions API
A Web API enabling animated transitions between DOM states, improving perceived performance and user experience in SPAs.
W
WebCodecs
A Web API providing low-level access to video and audio encoders/decoders, enabling efficient media processing in the browser.
WebGPU
A Web API providing modern GPU access for graphics and compute operations, successor to WebGL.
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