ARC Labs
Free
Reference Architectures
Battle-tested system blueprints you can adapt instead of starting from a blank diagram.
A free, open library of 20 reference architectures from ARC delivery work: streaming data, operator AI, Labs products, maturity scoring, and more. Each entry names the problem, the component shape, key decisions, failure modes, when not to use it, and a scaling path.
Blueprint · kinesis-data-streams
- CategoryData · intermediate
- ShapeShards + EFO consumers
- When not to useSingle-consumer queue → SQS
- Failure modeHot shard / IteratorAge
- OriginDEA-C01 Kinesis lab
What it does
- 20 architectures with origin citations back to Drive
- When-not-to-use notes on every entry
- Kinesis, Bedrock, HITL, spend control, maturity scoring, and more
- JSON API, CLI, and open Markdown under content/
How it works
- 1Browse by category: Data, AI, Web, Backend, SaaS, Integration, Cloud.
- 2Read When not to use, then Shape, then Failure modes.
- 3Copy the ASCII (or SVG) diagram into your design doc and adapt the decisions.
- 4Search from the CLI or pull the JSON API — no account required.
Who it’s for
Engineers and operators who need a proven shape with trade-offs named — not a blank diagram or a vendor reference architecture they cannot defend.
What’s next
- Drive-harvested catalog + origin notes — shipped
- Search UI, JSON API, CLI — shipped
- Mermaid diagrams + IaC snippets
- Well-Architected overlay
Want these adapted to how you actually work?
Studio can help you pick, wire, and govern the pieces that match your team. Thirty minutes to see if that's useful.