Doc-Architect Skill

Analyzes feature requirements and generates a structured documentation checklist identifying all documentation impacts.

Invocation

/doc-architect [--diff]

Options:

• --diff: Generate markdown diff previews showing proposed changes for existing files

Inputs

From conversation context:

• Feature description or requirements
• Affected modules/components
• New functionality being added

Outputs

A Documentation Planning section in markdown format.

## Documentation Planning

### High-level design docs (docs/)
- `docs/workflows/feature-name.md` — create/update workflow documentation
- `docs/tutorial/XX-feature-name.md` — create/update tutorial

### Folder READMEs
- `path/to/module/README.md` — update purpose and organization

### Interface docs
- `src/module/component.md` — update interface documentation

Analysis Steps

1. Identify Documentation Categories

Analyze the feature to determine which documentation types need updates:

High-level design docs (docs/):

• New workflows → docs/workflows/*.md
• Tutorials → docs/tutorial/*.md
• Architecture changes → docs/architecture/*.md

Folder READMEs:

• New directories → create README.md
• Module changes → update existing README.md

Interface docs:

• API changes → update endpoint documentation
• Component interfaces → add/update .md companion files
• Configuration → update config documentation

2. Generate Checklist

For each identified documentation impact:

• List the specific file path
• Indicate create vs. update action
• Provide brief rationale (1 line)

3. Output Format

Structure output as markdown section ready to paste into implementation plans:

Standard format (default):

## Documentation Planning

### High-level design docs (docs/)
- `docs/path/to/doc.md` — create/update [brief description]

### Folder READMEs
- `path/to/README.md` — update [what aspect]

### Interface docs
- `src/module/interface.md` — update [which interfaces]

Diff format (with --diff flag):

## Documentation Planning

### High-level design docs (docs/)
- [ ] `docs/path/to/doc.md` — update [brief description]

` ` `diff
  ## Existing Section

  Some existing content here.
+ New content to be added.
- Content to be removed.
` ` `

### Folder READMEs
- [ ] `path/to/README.md` — update [what aspect]

` ` `diff
  ### Component
- Old description
+ Updated description with new feature
` ` `

Diff mode notes:

• Task list checkboxes (- [ ]) enable tracking in GitHub UI
• Diff blocks show AI-generated preview of proposed changes (best-effort, not git diff)
• If file read fails, falls back to standard format without diff
• Read existing files to generate meaningful diff previews

Integration

This skill is invoked during planning workflows to ensure documentation impacts are identified early. The output is consumed by:

• /ultra-planner — includes checklist in consensus plan
• /make-a-plan — includes checklist in implementation plan
• /issue-to-impl Step 5 — uses checklist to update documentation

Examples

Feature: Add JWT authentication

Output:

## Documentation Planning

### High-level design docs (docs/)
- `docs/api/authentication.md` — create JWT auth API documentation
- `docs/tutorial/05-authentication.md` — create tutorial for auth setup

### Folder READMEs
- `src/auth/README.md` — create module overview and architecture

### Interface docs
- `src/middleware/auth.ts` — add interface documentation for auth middleware

Feature: Refactor build system

Output:

## Documentation Planning

### High-level design docs (docs/)
- `docs/development/build.md` — update build system documentation with new structure

### Folder READMEs
- `build/README.md` — update build directory organization

### Interface docs
- N/A — internal refactor, no interface changes

Feature: Add dark mode (with --diff)

Output:

## Documentation Planning

### High-level design docs (docs/)
- [ ] `docs/features/theming.md` — update with dark mode support

` ` `diff
  ## Theming System

  The application supports customizable themes.
+
+ ### Dark Mode
+
+ Dark mode can be enabled via the settings panel or system preference detection.
+ The theme automatically switches based on `prefers-color-scheme` media query.
` ` `

### Folder READMEs
- [ ] `src/theme/README.md` — update purpose and organization

` ` `diff
  # Theme Module

- Provides light theme styling for the application.
+ Provides light and dark theme styling for the application.
+
+ ## Files
+ - `light.css` - Light theme variables
+ - `dark.css` - Dark theme variables
+ - `toggle.ts` - Theme switching logic
` ` `