home / skills / nickcrew / claude-cortex / documentation-production

documentation-production skill

/skills/documentation-production

This skill provides a structured workflow to generate, update, and organize documentation across formats, ensuring consistency with project conventions.

npx playbooks add skill nickcrew/claude-cortex --skill documentation-production

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SKILL.md
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---
name: documentation-production
description: Use when generating, updating, or organizing documentation (component/API docs, project indexes, diagrams, tutorials, learning paths) - provides structured workflows and references for docs generation, indexing, diagrams, and teaching.
---

# Documentation Production

## Overview
Provide a consistent, low-friction workflow for producing documentation across formats: focused docs, indexes, diagrams, tutorials, and learning paths. Keep outputs structured and aligned with the repo's docs conventions.

## When to Use
- Generating or updating documentation for components, APIs, or features
- Building a project index or knowledge base
- Creating Mermaid diagrams for system behavior or architecture
- Writing tutorials, workshops, or learning paths
- Explaining concepts for onboarding or education

Avoid when:
- The request is primarily a code change (use implementation workflows)
- The doc type is a one-off note that doesn't need structure

## Quick Reference

| Task | Load reference |
| --- | --- |
| Generate focused docs | `skills/documentation-production/references/generate.md` |
| Project index/knowledge base | `skills/documentation-production/references/index.md` |
| Mermaid diagrams | `skills/documentation-production/references/diagrams.md` |
| Teach concepts / learning paths | `skills/documentation-production/references/teacher.md` |
| Tutorials / workshops | `skills/documentation-production/references/tutorials.md` |
| Writing process & style | `skills/documentation-production/references/writing-process.md` |

## Workflow
1. Identify doc type and target audience.
2. Load the relevant reference file(s) for structure and patterns.
3. Gather source material from code or existing docs.
4. Produce the artifact using the required format.
5. Validate accuracy and consistency with repo conventions.
6. Summarize changes and next steps.

## Output
- The documentation artifact(s)
- Brief change summary and any follow-up gaps

## Common Mistakes
- Skipping source review and guessing behavior
- Mixing tutorial/guide formats without clear intent
- Creating diagrams without labels or accessibility notes
- Updating docs without adjusting indexes or nav links

Overview

This skill provides a consistent, low-friction workflow for producing and maintaining project documentation across formats, including component/API docs, indexes, diagrams, tutorials, and learning paths. It focuses on structured outputs that align with repository conventions and reduces time spent deciding format or structure. The goal is reliable, discoverable documentation that stays synchronized with code and project needs.

How this skill works

First, identify the doc type and intended audience to determine scope and tone. Load the appropriate reference patterns and gather source material from code, specs, or existing docs. Produce the artifact in the required format (markdown, Mermaid, outlines, or tutorial steps), then validate accuracy, consistency, and navigation updates. Deliver the artifact plus a short change summary and recommended follow-ups.

When to use it

  • Generating or updating component, API, or feature documentation
  • Building a project index, site nav, or searchable knowledge base
  • Creating Mermaid diagrams for architecture, flows, or system behavior
  • Writing tutorials, workshops, or multi-step learning paths
  • Preparing onboarding explanations or teaching materials for teams

Best practices

  • Start by defining audience and learning objectives before drafting
  • Always gather and verify source material from code, tests, and examples
  • Follow the repo’s established structure and naming conventions
  • Keep diagrams labeled, accessible, and documented with captions
  • Update indexes, navigation links, and change summaries with each edit

Example use cases

  • Produce a component-level API reference from docstrings and examples
  • Create a project index that maps modules to responsibilities and owners
  • Draft a step-by-step tutorial that includes code snippets and verification tasks
  • Generate Mermaid sequence and architecture diagrams with captions and notes
  • Assemble a learning path for new contributors covering core concepts and exercises

FAQ

How do I choose between a tutorial and a reference doc?

Use a tutorial when you want guided, task-based learning with steps and exercises; use a reference for concise API surface, parameters, and examples.

What should I include in the change summary?

List files changed, a short description of updates, validation steps taken, and any outstanding gaps or recommended next actions.