Architecture & Design Docs as AI training data
Code shows how a system works; design documents explain why it was built that way. RFCs, architecture decision records (ADRs), system diagrams and review threads capture the alternatives an engineering team considered and the constraints that shaped its choice. Momentra helps companies assess whether this kind of record could be licensed for AI training.
Can Architecture & Design Docs be used as AI training data?
Architecture and design docs can be sold or licensed as AI training data because they explain why systems were built a certain way. RFCs with alternatives considered, architecture decision records and API specifications such as OpenAPI files are the strongest assets. Hostnames, network ranges and known weaknesses are removed from diagrams and threat models, and client architectures may need permission.
No files needed upfront. We sign an NDA before reviewing any sample.
What can be included
You choose the scope. These are the parts of Architecture & Design Docs that are typically most useful.
- ✓Technical design docs and RFCs with context, proposal and alternatives considered
- ✓Architecture decision records (ADRs) stored alongside code
- ✓System, sequence and data-flow diagrams (C4, UML, draw.io, Lucidchart exports)
- ✓API specifications such as OpenAPI files and protobuf definitions
- ✓Design review comments and approval records
- ✓Capacity plans, threat models and migration plans
Why AI labs value it
Alternatives and rejected options
A good design doc lists the approaches that were not chosen and why. Models learning to make architecture decisions benefit from seeing those trade-offs spelled out.
Design linked to implementation
When an RFC can be traced to the repositories and pull requests that implemented it, the design and the code form a complete pair. This is especially useful for coding agents working on larger tasks.
Real constraints
Enterprise design docs reflect budgets, legacy dependencies, compliance needs and team size. These practical limits rarely show up in textbook examples.
How it is scoped, exported and anonymized
Collect docs and diagrams together
Design docs are often spread across wikis, repos (docs/ and adr/ folders) and diagram tools. Preparation gathers them and keeps links to the systems they describe.
Strip infrastructure details
Diagrams and threat models can reveal hostnames, network ranges, vendor accounts and known weaknesses. These are removed or generalized before any further use.
Separate client architectures
Designs created for client systems may belong to those clients. They may need permission or must be excluded.
How a partnership begins
Share Basic Information
Share only your contact, company, industry, and partnership interests—no raw data required.
Initial Value Assessment
We discuss the data type, completeness, scarcity, and the tasks it could support.
Define the NDA and Boundaries
Before reviewing any sample, we define confidentiality, permitted use, retention, and security requirements.
Receive an Offer and Begin the Partnership
We provide a purchase proposal and contract, then support de-identification and secure data transfer.
Frequently asked questions
- Are threat models safe to include?
- They are sensitive by nature. Many companies exclude them or include only older, fully generalized versions. You decide, and the agreement records the scope.
- Can diagrams be used, or only text?
- Both can be relevant. Diagrams exported as images or source formats (for example draw.io XML or PlantUML) can be paired with the text that explains them.
- We only have a few dozen design docs. Is that too few?
- Not necessarily. Value depends on depth and whether the docs connect to code and outcomes. A small set of thorough documents can still be worth assessing.
- What if a design was never built?
- Abandoned proposals can still show reasoning and trade-offs. They are worth mentioning during the assessment.
Related
Let's talk about your Architecture & Design Docs.
Share only the essential details. No files are required at this stage.
Contact the Momentra team