# Composable

> A commerce architecture assembled from separately chosen components (search, checkout, content, promotions, payments) connected by APIs, so that any one can be swapped without replacing the rest.

Source: https://barkingcat.ai/terms-of-trade/composable/

## Terms of Trade · Edition 3: The technology proposal

Definition

A commerce architecture assembled from separately chosen components (search, checkout, content, promotions, payments) connected by APIs, so that any one can be swapped without replacing the rest. The promise is a stack that changes at the pace of the business rather than the pace of the platform vendor’s roadmap.

Field note

Composable is the promise of easily connecting and disconnecting digital systems, while your developer weeps into their tea because a steering committee, two board reports and an inquiry are required to update the copyright year on the website footer.

Board question

When did we last swap a component, how long did it take, and how many of the meetings were about the component?

Applied through

[Operational Excellence](https://barkingcat.ai/the-cats-whiskers/operational-excellence/) in the Cat’s Whiskers, internally ready before externally funded; [Should we replatform](https://barkingcat.ai/thinking/should-we-replatform/), because composable is the word most replatform cases are currently wearing.

Related terms
- [Headless](https://barkingcat.ai/terms-of-trade/headless/)
- [Replatform](https://barkingcat.ai/terms-of-trade/replatform/)
- [Technical debt](https://barkingcat.ai/terms-of-trade/technical-debt/)
- [PIM](https://barkingcat.ai/terms-of-trade/pim/)

## Contact

steve@barkingcat.ai

Barking Cat Advisory Limited. Registered in England and Wales, company number 17338003.