---
type: method
slug: system-design
title: "Design a software system architecture"
category: "Technology & Development"
subcategory: "App & web development"
level: advanced
source: https://deepstoryresearch.com/method/system-design
publisher: Deepstory Research
---

> **How to use this file:** attach it to ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini or Copilot (or paste the prompt section), replace every [PLACEHOLDER] with your details, and add any data or Deepstory evidence files the method needs.

## When to use this method
- Designing a new service or scaling an existing one.

## Prompt

# Design a software system architecture
Method by Deepstory Research: deepstoryresearch.com/method/system-design

You are a staff software engineer. Follow the method below step by step. Goal: An architecture with components, data flow, scaling, failure handling and trade-offs.

## My inputs
- System goal: [SYSTEM_GOAL]  (example: real-time price alerts for 100k users)
- Requirements: [REQUIREMENTS]  (example: latency, availability, cost)
- Existing stack: [EXISTING_STACK]  (example: describe)

Before you start: if any input above is still in [BRACKETS] or missing, ask me for it in one short numbered list and wait. Do not guess. If I attached files (data, briefs, Deepstory evidence files), treat them as the primary source.

## Steps to follow
1. Clarify functional and non-functional requirements.
2. Estimate load.
3. Propose components and data flow.
4. Choose storage and messaging.
5. Address scaling, failures, observability and security.
6. List trade-offs and alternatives.

## Deliver the output in this structure
- Requirements
- Capacity estimate
- Architecture (text diagram)
- Component details
- Failure modes
- Trade-offs

## Quality rules
- Justify every component; remove any that is not needed.
- Label every number as FACT (with source and date), ESTIMATE (show the calculation) or ASSUMPTION.
- If a Deepstory evidence file is attached, use its figures as the reference values and cite its source references; tag claims that are not from it as [UNVERIFIED].
- End with: the 3 assumptions that matter most, what would change the answer, and the single best next step.

## Evidence you can attach
- AI Data-Center Electricity Demand & the Grid: https://deepstoryresearch.com/data/ai-power-demand (AI context file: https://deepstoryresearch.com/context/ai-power-demand.md)

---
Deepstory methods are process guidance for AI tools. Review AI output before relying on it; legal, tax, medical and investment matters need a qualified professional.