Flutter Riverpod Architecture

Goal

Implements scalable Flutter applications using the Feature-First directory structure, Riverpod (with code generation) for state management, and flutter_hooks / HookConsumerWidget for UI composition. This architecture is a lightweight approach inspired by Domain-Driven Design and Clean Architecture. The design philosophy is three layers — Presentation, Domain, and Infrastructure — and the code-level notation in this skill is UI, UseCase, and Repository. Data source access is encapsulated inside repositories. Applies @Riverpod(keepAlive: true) for repository providers and @riverpod for screen-scoped state.

Layer Mapping (Source of Truth)

Decision Logic

Decide whether the task belongs in UI, UseCase, or Repository, whether it is feature-specific or shared, and which Riverpod scope is appropriate.

See architecture.md for structure and naming, providers.md for Repository/UseCase placement, and riverpod.md for provider scope rules.

Instructions

1. Plan the Feature Structure

Identify the feature, confirm whether the implementation is shared or feature-local, and place files in the correct layer before coding.

See architecture.md for directory structure and naming.

2. Implement the Repository Layer

Implement Repository code in the Repository layer and follow the Riverpod/provider rules for Repository providers.

See providers.md for Repository implementation details and riverpod.md for provider scope rules.

3. Implement the UseCase Layer

Implement UseCase code in the UseCase layer for validation, orchestration, and UI-facing state changes.

See providers.md for UseCase patterns and riverpod.md for provider scope rules.

4. Build the UI with HookConsumerWidget

Build UI in the Presentation layer using the patterns required by this skill.

See presentation.md for page and widget structure, riverpod.md for ref.watch / ref.read, and button.md for button and cursor rules.

5. Implement Responsive Layout

Apply the responsive layout rules defined for this skill.

See responsive.md for breakpoint policy and responsive layout patterns.

6. Write Tests

Test Repository, UseCase, controller, and widget behavior with the testing patterns used by this skill.

See testing.md for test structure, overrides, and fake/mock patterns.

Constraints

• Prefer HookConsumerWidget: This skill uses HookConsumerWidget (with flutter_hooks) for all stateful pages and complex widgets. StatefulWidget may be used for isolated, purely local UI state with no Riverpod interaction.
• No ref.read() in build: ref.read() must only appear inside event handlers or callbacks, never at the top of a build method to derive reactive UI state.
• No ref.watch() in event handlers: ref.watch() must only appear inside build() or a provider's build() method.
• No business logic in Views: Widget classes must contain only layout, conditional rendering, and navigation. All data transformation and validation must reside in Use Cases or Repositories.
• List patterns: Follow the list and sliver rules defined in list.md.
• Avoid button wrapper widgets for style only: Do not create a custom wrapper widget whose sole purpose is applying a fixed button style. If you need to encapsulate behavior such as loading state or submission flow, a wrapper is acceptable.
• Use targeted MediaQuery static methods: Prefer MediaQuery.sizeOf, MediaQuery.paddingOf, MediaQuery.orientationOf etc. over MediaQuery.of(context) to avoid unnecessary rebuilds.
• No LayoutBuilder for page-level breakpoints: Use ResponsiveLayout (which uses MediaQuery.sizeOf) so the layout decision is based on actual screen width, not parent constraints.
• Mouse cursors required on macOS/Web: Every Button variant must include enabledMouseCursor: SystemMouseCursors.click. Every InkWell must include mouseCursor: SystemMouseCursors.click.
• Code generation required: After adding or modifying a @riverpod annotation, always run dart run build_runner build.
• Naming conventions: Files and directories use snake_case; classes use UpperCamelCase; page classes end in Page; repository classes end in Repository; use case classes use verb-noun format (e.g., FetchPosts, CreatePost).

Reference Files

• architecture.md — Project structure, directory layout, naming conventions
• providers.md — Repository and use case implementation patterns
• riverpod.md — Provider types, ref.watch vs ref.read, caching, code generation
• presentation.md — Page structure, navigation, hooks usage, error handling
• testing.md — Test patterns, mocking strategy, ProviderContainer usage
• button.md — Button patterns, styleFrom, hover cursor for macOS/Web
• list.md — ListView.builder, Pull-to-Refresh, pagination with Slivers
• responsive.md — Breakpoints, ResponsiveLayout, platform-specific layouts