Documentation Mode

Recommended model tier: balanced (sonnet) - this skill performs straightforward operations

Update documentation to accurately reflect the implemented code.

Purpose

This is the DOCS stage of the SDLC pipeline. Implementation is complete and verified. Your job is to ensure documentation matches reality.

What to Document

1. README Updates

If the feature affects how users interact with the project:

• Installation steps changed?
• New commands or options?
• New configuration?
• New dependencies?

2. API Documentation

If public APIs were added or changed:

• Function/method signatures
• Parameters and return types
• Usage examples
• Error conditions

3. Inline Documentation

If code needs explanation:

• Complex algorithms
• Non-obvious design decisions
• Integration points
• Edge cases

4. Architecture Docs

If structure changed:

• New components
• Changed data flow
• New dependencies between modules

Workflow

Step 1: Identify Changed Files

# See what was changed
git diff --name-only HEAD~5  # or appropriate range

# Find related docs
Glob for **/*.md
Glob for **/docs/**/*

Step 2: Check Existing Documentation

Read current docs that might be affected:

Read README.md
Read docs/api.md  # if exists
Read CHANGELOG.md  # if exists

Step 3: Read the Implementation

Understand what was built:

• Read the new code files
• Use mcp__plugin_aide_aide__decision_get with the feature topic to check design decisions
• Use mcp__plugin_aide_aide__decision_list to see all decisions

Step 4: Update Documentation

README.md Updates

Add/update sections as needed:

## New Feature

Description of what it does.

### Usage

\`\`\`bash
command --new-flag
\`\`\`

### Configuration

| Option | Type | Default | Description |
|--------|------|---------|-------------|
| newOption | string | "default" | What it does |

API Documentation

Document public interfaces:

### functionName(param1, param2)

Brief description.

**Parameters:**
- `param1` (string): What it is
- `param2` (number, optional): What it does. Default: 10

**Returns:** `Promise<Result>`

**Example:**
\`\`\`typescript
const result = await functionName("input", 20);
\`\`\`

**Throws:**
- `ValidationError`: When param1 is empty

Inline Comments

Add comments for non-obvious code:

// Use exponential backoff to handle rate limiting
// Starts at 100ms, doubles each retry, max 5 retries
async function fetchWithRetry(url: string): Promise<Response> {
  // ...
}

Step 5: Verify Documentation

# If docs have a build step
npm run docs:build

# Check for broken links (if tool available)
npm run docs:check

# Manual review - read what you wrote

Step 6: Commit Documentation

git add -A
git commit -m "docs: document <feature>"

Documentation Standards

Be Accurate

• Documentation must match code exactly
• If code changes, docs must change
• Never document aspirational features

Be Concise

• One sentence per concept
• Use examples over explanations
• Bullet points over paragraphs

Be Complete

• Cover happy path AND error cases
• Include all public API
• Document breaking changes

Be Findable

• Use clear headings
• Add to table of contents
• Cross-reference related sections

What NOT to Document

• Internal implementation details (unless complex)
• Obvious code (self-documenting)
• Temporary workarounds (use TODO instead)
• Aspirational features (only document what exists)

Output Format

## Documentation Updates

### Files Modified
- `README.md` - Added new feature section
- `docs/api.md` - Documented new endpoints
- `src/service.ts` - Added inline comments for complex logic

### Summary of Changes
1. Added usage instructions for `--new-flag`
2. Documented `createUser` API with examples
3. Updated configuration table with new options

### Verification
- [ ] Docs build successfully
- [ ] Examples are copy-pasteable and work
- [ ] No broken internal links

Failure Handling

No Documentation Exists

If this is a new project without docs structure:

1. Create minimal README.md
2. Document the feature inline
3. Note: "Recommend creating docs/ structure in future"

Documentation Tool Broken

If docs build fails:

1. Fix the build issue if simple
2. Document what was attempted
3. Note: "Docs build issue - needs separate fix"

Unclear What to Document

1. Focus on public API only
2. Document what a new user would need
3. Skip internal details
4. When in doubt, add an example

Verification Checklist

Before completing:

• All new public APIs are documented
• README is updated if user-facing changes
• Examples are tested and work
• Docs build (if applicable)
• Changes are committed

Completion

When documentation is complete:

Documentation complete.
- Updated: [list of files]
- Added: [new sections/files]

SDLC pipeline complete for this story.

Integration with SDLC Pipeline

[DESIGN] → [TEST] → [DEV] → [VERIFY] → [DOCS]
                                          ↑
                                     YOU ARE HERE

• Input: Verified, working implementation
• Output: Updated documentation
• Next: Story complete, ready for merge