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name: clean-ddd-hexagonal description: > Apply Clean Architecture + DDD + Hexagonal patterns to backend services. Use when designing APIs, microservices, domain models, aggregates, repositories, bounded contexts, or scalable backend structure. Triggers on DDD, Clean Architecture, Hexagonal, ports and adapters, entities, value objects, domain events, CQRS, event sourcing, repository pattern, use cases, onion architecture, outbox pattern, aggregate root, anti-corruption layer. Language-agnostic (Go, Rust, Python, TypeScript, Java, C#).

Clean Architecture + DDD + Hexagonal

Backend architecture combining DDD tactical patterns, Clean Architecture dependency rules, and Hexagonal ports/adapters for maintainable, testable systems.

When to Use (and When NOT to)

Start simple. Evolve complexity only when needed. Most systems don't need full CQRS or Event Sourcing.

CRITICAL: The Dependency Rule

Dependencies point inward only. Outer layers depend on inner layers, never the reverse.

CopyInfrastructure → Application → Domain
   (adapters)     (use cases)    (core)

Violations to catch:

• Domain importing database/HTTP libraries
• Controllers calling repositories directly (bypassing use cases)
• Entities depending on application services

Design validation: "Create your application to work without either a UI or a database" — Alistair Cockburn. If you can run your domain logic from tests with no infrastructure, your boundaries are correct.

Quick Decision Trees

"Where does this code go?"

CopyWhere does it go?
├─ Pure business logic, no I/O           → domain/
├─ Orchestrates domain + has side effects → application/
├─ Talks to external systems              → infrastructure/
├─ Defines HOW to interact (interface)    → port (domain or application)
└─ Implements a port                      → adapter (infrastructure)

"Is this an Entity or Value Object?"

CopyEntity or Value Object?
├─ Has unique identity that persists → Entity
├─ Defined only by its attributes    → Value Object
├─ "Is this THE same thing?"         → Entity (identity comparison)
└─ "Does this have the same value?"  → Value Object (structural equality)

"Should this be its own Aggregate?"

CopyAggregate boundaries?
├─ Must be consistent together in a transaction → Same aggregate
├─ Can be eventually consistent                 → Separate aggregates
├─ Referenced by ID only                        → Separate aggregates
└─ >10 entities in aggregate                    → Split it

Rule: One aggregate per transaction. Cross-aggregate consistency via domain events (eventual consistency).

Directory Structure

Copysrc/
├── domain/                    # Core business logic (NO external dependencies)
│   ├── {aggregate}/
│   │   ├── entity              # Aggregate root + child entities
│   │   ├── value_objects       # Immutable value types
│   │   ├── events              # Domain events
│   │   ├── repository          # Repository interface (DRIVEN PORT)
│   │   └── services            # Domain services (stateless logic)
│   └── shared/
│       └── errors              # Domain errors
├── application/               # Use cases / Application services
│   ├── {use-case}/
│   │   ├── command             # Command/Query DTOs
│   │   ├── handler             # Use case implementation
│   │   └── port                # Driver port interface
│   └── shared/
│       └── unit_of_work        # Transaction abstraction
├── infrastructure/            # Adapters (external concerns)
│   ├── persistence/           # Database adapters
│   ├── messaging/             # Message broker adapters
│   ├── http/                  # REST/GraphQL adapters (DRIVER)
│   └── config/
│       └── di                  # Dependency injection / composition root
└── main                        # Bootstrap / entry point

DDD Building Blocks

Anti-Patterns (CRITICAL)

Implementation Order

1. Discover the Domain — Event Storming, conversations with domain experts
2. Model the Domain — Entities, value objects, aggregates (no infra)
3. Define Ports — Repository interfaces, external service interfaces
4. Implement Use Cases — Application services coordinating domain
5. Add Adapters last — HTTP, database, messaging implementations

DDD is collaborative. Modeling sessions with domain experts are as important as the code patterns.

Reference Documentation

Sources

Primary Sources

• The Clean Architecture — Robert C. Martin (2012)
• Hexagonal Architecture — Alistair Cockburn (2005)
• Domain-Driven Design: The Blue Book — Eric Evans (2003)
• Implementing Domain-Driven Design — Vaughn Vernon (2013)

Pattern References

• CQRS — Martin Fowler
• Event Sourcing — Martin Fowler
• Repository Pattern — Martin Fowler (PoEAA)
• Unit of Work — Martin Fowler (PoEAA)
• Bounded Context — Martin Fowler
• Transactional Outbox — microservices.io
• Effective Aggregate Design — Vaughn Vernon

Implementation Guides

• Microsoft: DDD + CQRS Microservices
• Domain Events — Udi Dahan