google-blog-style

name	google-blog-style
description	Style guide, legal compliance standards, and validation workflow for the Google Developers Blog. Enforces technical readability targets (Fog Index 12–15), professional tone, inclusive language, legal compliance, and style linting via Vale and Speedgrapher. Activate when drafting, editing, reviewing, or validating technical blog posts and articles for the Google Developers Blog.
license	Apache-2.0
metadata	{"category":"writing","tags":"google, blog, style-guide, writing, editorial, compliance","author":"Daniela Petruzalek ([e-mail])","version":"0.2.1","catalog":"https://skills.danicat.dev"}

Google Blog Style Guide

Use this skill to strictly focus on drafting, editing, and validating technical blog posts, articles, and reviews for official Google Developer blogs.

Core Mandates

1. Readability First: Target a Gunning Fog Index between 12 and 15 (Professional/Technical).
2. Deterministic Tooling: Run the validation scripts to ensure code safety and legal compliance.
3. Inclusive Language: Avoid niche jargon unless it is widely understood globally. See references/style_guide/jargon.md.
4. Legal Safety: Do not make unsubstantiated claims or discuss future roadmaps. Follow references/legal_guidelines.md.

Workflow: Strict Plan-Validate-Execute

1. Plan

Before writing:

1. Define Goals: Identify the key takeaway and target audience.
2. Consult Guides:
   • references/writing_guide.md (Tone and Structure).
   • references/nomenclature_tags.md (Correct tagging).
3. Outline: Use assets/template.md as a structural starting point.
4. Style Guide Search: Always use grep_search progressively within references/style_guide/ to confirm specific formatting or brand rules before making assumptions.

2. Execute

1. Write: Focus on clarity, enthusiasm, and technical accuracy.
   • Use sentence case for all headings.
   • Adhere to rules found via grep_search in references/style_guide/.
2. Modularize: Keep SKILL.md brief by putting detailed docs in the references/ folder.
3. Refine: Ensure the call to action is clear and all placeholder links use example.com.

3. Validate (Mandatory)

GOTCHA: If the speedgrapher MCP server is available, you MUST use Speedgrapher's tools and skills (speedgrapher.vale, speedgrapher.fog, speedgrapher.slop) to validate drafts instead of the custom local scripts.

If speedgrapher is unavailable, use the following validation scripts:

1. All-in-One Validation: Run node scripts/validate_all.cjs <path-to-draft> to run style linting, fog checks, and legal checks in one step, outputting a concise Markdown report.
2. Standalone Checks:
   • Linting: node scripts/lint_style.cjs <path-to-draft> (Uses Vale).
   • Readability: Run node scripts/fog.cjs <path-to-draft>.
   • Sanitization: node scripts/sanitize_blog.cjs <path-to-draft>.
3. Legal Review: Manually check against references/legal_guidelines.md.

Resources

• Template: assets/template.md
• Validation: scripts/validate_all.cjs
• Guides:
  • references/writing_guide.md
  • references/legal_guidelines.md (CRITICAL)
  • references/style_guide/ (Comprehensive style reference)
  • references/nomenclature_tags.md