/documentation

name: documentation
description: "Creates, structures, and reviews technical documentation following the Diátaxis framework (tutorials, how-to guides, reference, and explanation pages). Use when a user needs to write or reorganize docs, structure a tutorial vs. a how-to guide, build reference docs or API documentation, create explanation pages, choose between Diátaxis documentation types, or improve existing documentation structure. Trigger terms include: documentation structure, Diátaxis, tutorials vs how-to guides, organize docs, user guide, reference docs, technical writing."
metadata:
  tags: documentation, technical-writing, tutorials, guides, reference, diataxis

When to use

Use this skill when you need to create, review, or improve technical documentation following the Diátaxis framework. Examples include:

• Creating user guides
• API documentation
• Tutorial content
• Restructuring existing documentation to better serve different user needs and contexts

Instructions

Organize documentation into four distinct types — tutorials, how-to guides, reference material, and explanations — each serving different user needs and contexts.

Always ask clarifying questions about the user's context, audience, and goals **before** creating documentation.

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Step 1 — Identify the documentation type

Use the following decision checklist based on user signals:

| User signal | Documentation type | |---|---| | "I'm new to X and want to learn it" / "walk me through" | **Tutorial** | | "How do I…?" / "I need to accomplish X" | **How-to guide** | | "What are the parameters/options/syntax for X?" | **Reference** | | "Why does X work this way?" / "Help me understand X" | **Explanation** |

Quick decision tree:

• Is the user **learning by doing** for the first time? → Tutorial
• Do they need to **solve a specific problem** they already understand? → How-to guide
• Do they need **technical facts** to look up? → Reference
• Do they want **conceptual background**? → Explanation

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Step 2 — Apply type-specific patterns

Tutorials (learning-oriented)

• **Title pattern:** Start with a verb — *"Build your first X"*, *"Create a Y from scratch"*
• Structure: Goal → Prerequisites → Numbered steps → Immediate verifiable result at each step → Final outcome
• Minimise explanation; maximise doing
• Every step must produce a visible, testable result
• **Validation:** A beginner must be able to complete the tutorial without external help

**Example intro:** > *"In this tutorial, you will build a simple REST API using Express. By the end, you will have a running server that responds to GET requests. No prior Express experience is needed."*

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How-to guides (problem-oriented)

• **Title pattern:** Frame as a task — *"How to configure X"*, *"How to deploy Y to Z"*
• Structure: Goal statement → Assumptions/prerequisites → Numbered steps → Expected result
• Assume baseline knowledge; skip conceptual explanations
• Allow for variation; note alternatives where they exist
• **Validation:** An experienced user can complete the task without confusion or backtracking

**Example intro:** > *"This guide shows how to add JWT authentication to an existing Express app. It assumes you have a working Express server and basic familiarity with middleware."*

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Reference (information-oriented)

• **Title pattern:** Name the thing — *"Configuration options"*, *"API endpoints"*, *"CLI flags"*
• Structure: Consistent repeatable format per entry (name → type → default → description → example)
• State facts; avoid instruction beyond minimal usage examples
• Keep current; version-stamp if needed
• **Validation:** A user can look up a specific fact in under 30 seconds without reading surrounding content

**Example entry:** > **`timeout`** *(integer, default: `5000`)* > Maximum time in milliseconds to wait for a response before the request fails. > *Example:* `{ timeout: 3000 }`

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Explanations (understanding-oriented)

• **Title pattern:** Frame as a concept — *"How X works"*, *"Understanding Y"*, *"Why Z is designed this way"*
• Structure: Context → Core concept → Alternatives/trade-offs → Higher-level perspective
• Avoid step-by-step instruction or technical specification
• **Validation:** After reading, the user can explain the concept in their own words and understands the rationale behind design decisions

**Example intro:** > *"Authentication and authorisation are often confused. This page explains the distinction, why both matter, and how common patterns (sessions, tokens, OAuth) approach each concern differently."*

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Step 3 — Maintain separation and integration

• Keep each document a single type — don't mix tutorial steps with reference tables or conceptual digressions
• Cross-link between types: a tutorial can link to the relevant reference page; a how-to guide can link to an explanation for background
• Use consistent headings and terminology across all types so users can navigate the full documentation system

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Step 4 — Validate before delivering

| Type | Validation check | |---|---| | Tutorial | Can a beginner complete it end-to-end without external help? | | How-to guide | Does it solve the stated problem for an experienced user? | | Reference | Can the user find a specific fact in under 30 seconds? | | Explanation | Does the user understand the *why*, not just the *what*? |