M1.4 – Design Application Architecture

[karkra911]

Overview

Define the initial architecture so UI, business logic, Windows API access, persistence, diagnostics, and future plugins evolve in a modular and testable way.

Objectives

• Establish the foundational application architecture capability for SystemPulse.
• Keep the implementation modular, testable, and suitable for future milestones.
• Document conventions so contributors can extend the area consistently.

Scope

Included:

• Core implementation patterns and repository artifacts for this foundation task.
• Documentation required for future contributors to use or extend the work.
• Tests or validation hooks appropriate for the implemented surface.

Out of scope:

• Product features assigned to later milestones.
• Final UX polish beyond foundation readiness.
• Cloud services, telemetry upload, or release packaging unless explicitly required.

Functional Requirements

• Define SystemPulse.App as presentation and composition root.
• Define SystemPulse.Core as UI-independent domain and service logic.
• Define SystemPulse.Platform as Windows API boundary and adapter layer.
• Document dependency direction rules between modules.
• Create a lightweight service initialization pattern for app startup.
• Define error propagation conventions between platform and UI layers.
• Define async guidance for long-running Windows API calls.
• Establish naming conventions for services, adapters, models, and view models.
• Add starter interfaces for logging, configuration, and platform diagnostics as needed.
• Document testing strategy by module boundary.
• Record architecture decisions in docs/architecture.
• Define how future SQLite and plugin components fit without direct UI coupling.

Technical Considerations

• Keep WinUI 3 concerns separated from C++ core services unless the issue is explicitly UI-focused.
• Prefer explicit interfaces, narrow responsibilities, and dependency direction that matches the architecture plan.
• Use Windows API boundaries carefully so platform behavior can be tested or mocked.
• Integrate with logging, configuration, CMake, and CI where relevant.
• Avoid introducing global mutable state or feature-specific shortcuts that future milestones must undo.

Dependency Policy

• Prefer scratch implementations over third-party libraries whenever practical.
• Do not introduce Python or pip dependencies.
• Do not introduce unnecessary external runtime dependencies.
• Prefer the C++ Standard Library, Windows SDK, Win32 APIs, and WinUI 3.
• Any proposed external dependency must include a written technical justification explaining why an in-house implementation is not practical.
• Keep all components modular so future internal replacements remain straightforward.

Deliverables

• Source files, configuration files, or documentation implementing this foundation area.
• Tests, examples, or validation scripts where applicable.
• README or docs updates explaining usage and extension points.
• Integration with existing build and repository conventions.

Acceptance Criteria

• Architecture documentation explains every top-level runtime module.

• Dependency direction is explicit and reviewable.

• Future feature areas have clear target modules.

• UI layer does not own Windows API implementation details.

• Platform layer can be tested or mocked from core-facing interfaces.

• Documentation includes error handling and async guidance.

• The design supports future SQLite and plugin integration.

• No unnecessary framework dependency is introduced without documented rationale.

• No Python or pip dependency introduced.

• No unnecessary third-party runtime dependency introduced.

• Solution primarily relies on C++ Standard Library and Windows APIs.

• Any external dependency is fully documented and technically justified.

Dependencies

• M1.1 - Initialize Repository Structure

Suggested Labels

• enhancement
• foundation
• architecture
• core