Patterns and structure for writing functional documentation including guides, conceptual explanations, tutorials, and best practices documentation.
Creates structured documentation guides with examples and clear next steps following strict quality standards.
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Functional documentation explains concepts, guides users through workflows, and helps them understand "why" and "how" things work. This differs from API reference, which documents "what" each endpoint does.
| Type | Purpose | Key Sections |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Explains core concepts and how things work | Definition → Key characteristics → How it works → Related concepts |
| Getting Started | First task with the product | Intro → Prerequisites → Numbered steps → Next steps |
| How-To | Task-focused for specific goals | Context → Before you begin → Steps → Verification → Troubleshooting |
| Best Practices | Optimal usage patterns | Intro → Practice sections (Mistake/Best practice) → Summary |
Start every document with what the reader will learn or accomplish.
✅ This guide shows you how to create your first transaction in under 5 minutes.
❌ In this document, we will discuss the various aspects of transaction creation.
Address the reader directly.
✅ You can create as many accounts as your structure demands.
❌ Users can create as many accounts as their structure demands.
Use for current behavior.
✅ Midaz uses a microservices architecture.
❌ Midaz will use a microservices architecture.
Indicate what the section covers or what users will do.
✅ Creating your first account
❌ Account creation process overview
2-3 sentences maximum. Use bullets for lists.
| Element | Usage |
|---|---|
| Info box | > **Tip:** Helpful additional context |
| Warning box | > **Warning:** Important caution |
| Code examples | Always include working examples for technical concepts |
| Tables | For comparing options or structured data |
Use --- to separate major sections. Improves scannability.
Before writing any functional documentation, MUST load relevant standards:
ring:voice-and-tone skillring:documentation-structure skillHARD GATE: CANNOT proceed with functional documentation without loading these standards.
| Condition | Decision | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Feature not implemented | STOP | Report: "Cannot document non-existent feature" |
| Feature behavior unclear | STOP | Report: "Need confirmed feature behavior" |
| Target audience undefined | STOP | Report: "Need audience definition for appropriate depth" |
| Prerequisite knowledge undefined | STOP | Report: "Need to know what readers should know first" |
| No working examples available | STOP | Report: "Need working examples to include" |
These requirements are NON-NEGOTIABLE:
| Severity | Criteria | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| CRITICAL | Missing core sections, incorrect information | No examples, wrong feature behavior described |
| HIGH | Missing value statement, no next steps | Reader doesn't know why they're reading or what to do next |
| MEDIUM | Voice/tone violations, structure issues | Third person, long paragraphs, title case |
| LOW | Minor clarity improvements | Could flow better, additional context helpful |
| User Says | Your Response |
|---|---|
| "Skip examples, explain the concept" | "CANNOT skip examples. Examples make concepts concrete. I'll include working examples." |
| "We'll document later, feature is done" | "Documentation is part of the feature. CANNOT ship undocumented features. I'll write the docs now." |
| "Just a quick README overview" | "README is not functional documentation. MUST create proper guide with examples and next steps." |
| "Developers don't need handholding" | "Good documentation helps ALL developers. I'll write clear, complete guides." |
| "Copy from the design doc" | "Design docs are not user docs. MUST rewrite for user audience with examples." |
| Rationalization | Why It's WRONG | Required Action |
|---|---|---|
| "Feature is intuitive, minimal docs needed" | Intuitive to you ≠ intuitive to users | MUST write complete documentation |
| "Design doc already explains this" | Design docs serve different audience | Rewrite for user audience |
| "Examples are extra work" | Examples are the most valuable part | MUST include working examples |
| "Users can figure out next steps" | Users shouldn't have to guess | MUST include clear next steps |
| "Quick overview is enough" | Overviews don't enable task completion | Write task-oriented guides |
| "Code comments are documentation" | Comments serve developers, not users | Write separate user documentation |
Signs that functional documentation already meets standards:
If all above are true: Documentation is complete, no changes needed.