| name | platform-community-guidelines |
| description | Writes platform community guidelines with acceptable use, content policies, and enforcement procedures. Use when establishing rules for marketplace or community platforms. |
| allowed-tools | Read Write Glob |
| metadata | {"author":"matthewhitcham","version":"1.0"} |
Platform Community Guidelines
When to Use This Skill
Use this skill when you need to:
- Write community guidelines for a marketplace, forum, or platform
- Define acceptable use policies and content standards
- Create enforcement procedures with escalation levels
- Establish appeal processes for policy violations
DO NOT use this skill for terms of service (consult a lawyer), privacy policies, or employee handbooks. This is for user-facing community guidelines.
Core Principle
COMMUNITY GUIDELINES SET THE CULTURE — THEY MUST BE CLEAR ENOUGH THAT USERS KNOW THE BOUNDARIES AND FAIR ENOUGH THAT ENFORCEMENT FEELS JUST, NOT ARBITRARY.
Phase 1: Brief
Required Inputs
| Input | What to Ask | Default |
|---|
| Platform type | "What kind of platform? Marketplace, forum, social, community?" | No default — must be provided |
| User base | "Who are your users? Demographics, professional context." | Business professionals |
| Key risks | "What behavior are you most concerned about? Spam, fraud, harassment?" | Spam and misrepresentation |
| Tone | "Should guidelines feel strict/corporate or casual/community-driven?" | Professional but approachable |
| Existing issues | "Have there been any incidents that prompted needing guidelines?" | None — proactive setup |
GATE: Confirm the brief before writing.
Phase 2: Structure
Guidelines Outline
- Introduction — Why these guidelines exist and who they apply to
- Our Values — 3-5 community principles
- Expected Behavior — What good participation looks like
- Prohibited Behavior — What is not allowed (categorized)
- Content Standards — Rules for listings, posts, reviews, and messages
- Enforcement — What happens when guidelines are violated
- Reporting — How to report violations
- Appeals — How to appeal a decision
- Updates — How guidelines are updated
GATE: Confirm the structure before drafting.
Phase 3: Write
Introduction
"These guidelines help keep [Platform] a safe, productive place for everyone. They apply to all users — buyers, sellers, and visitors. By using [Platform], you agree to follow these guidelines. We review and update them as our community grows."
Community Values (choose 3-5)
- Respect — Treat every user the way you would want to be treated
- Honesty — Represent yourself, your products, and your services accurately
- Safety — Keep transactions and interactions on the platform for everyone's protection
- Quality — Maintain high standards in what you list, sell, and communicate
- Fairness — Compete on merit, not manipulation
Prohibited Behavior Categories
Fraud and Misrepresentation
- Fake listings, counterfeit goods, or misleading descriptions
- Impersonating another person or business
- Manipulating reviews or ratings
- Bait-and-switch pricing
Harassment and Abuse
- Threats, intimidation, or bullying
- Hate speech based on race, gender, religion, orientation, or disability
- Doxxing or sharing personal information without consent
- Repeated unwanted contact after being asked to stop
Spam and Manipulation
- Posting duplicate or irrelevant listings
- Unsolicited promotional messages
- Creating multiple accounts to circumvent limits
- Artificially inflating metrics (views, reviews, rankings)
Off-Platform Violations
- Soliciting transactions outside the platform to avoid fees
- Sharing contact information to bypass platform communication
- Directing users to competing platforms
Illegal Activity
- Selling prohibited items or services
- Money laundering or payment fraud
- Violating intellectual property rights
Enforcement Levels
| Level | Trigger | Action |
|---|
| Warning | First minor violation | Written notice, content removed |
| Temporary Suspension | Repeat minor or first major violation | 7-30 day account suspension |
| Permanent Ban | Severe violation or 3+ warnings | Account terminated, funds held per policy |
| Immediate Ban | Illegal activity, threats, fraud | Instant termination, reported to authorities if applicable |
Reporting Process
"See something that violates these guidelines? Report it:
- Click the 'Report' button on any listing, profile, or message
- Select the type of violation
- Add any details or screenshots
- Our team reviews reports within 24-48 hours
- You will receive a notification when we take action
All reports are confidential. We never share the reporter's identity."
Appeals Process
"If you believe an enforcement action was made in error:
- Reply to the enforcement notification email within 14 days
- Explain why you believe the decision was incorrect
- Include any evidence that supports your case
- A different team member will review your appeal within 5 business days
- The appeal decision is final"
Phase 4: Polish
1. Plain Language Review
- Read every sentence aloud. If it sounds like a legal document, rewrite it.
- Use "you" and "we" throughout
- Replace legal terms with everyday language
- Keep sentences under 20 words where possible
2. Accessibility
- Use clear headings and bullet points for scanning
- Provide a summary version (one page) for quick reference
- Make guidelines available in the app, not just a buried link
- Consider translations if your platform is multilingual
3. Quality Checklist
## Community Guidelines Checklist
- [ ] Introduction explains why guidelines exist and who they apply to
- [ ] 3-5 community values are stated clearly
- [ ] Prohibited behavior is categorized and specific (not vague)
- [ ] Examples are included for ambiguous rules
- [ ] Enforcement levels are defined (warning → suspension → ban)
- [ ] Reporting process is clear and accessible
- [ ] Appeal process is documented with timeline
- [ ] Language is plain and readable (no legal jargon)
- [ ] Guidelines are accessible from the app/site navigation
- [ ] Update process is documented (how users are notified of changes)
Example
Platform: Freelance services marketplace
Value statement excerpt:
"[Platform] exists to connect talented freelancers with great clients. These guidelines protect that mission. We do not have pages of legalese — just clear expectations that keep the community strong."
Prohibited behavior excerpt:
"Do not misrepresent your work. If a portfolio piece was created by a team, say so. If you used AI tools, disclose it. Clients hire you for your skills — be honest about what those skills are."
Enforcement excerpt:
"First violation: We will let you know what happened and how to fix it. Most issues are honest mistakes. Second violation: Your account may be suspended for 7-30 days while we investigate. Three or more: Permanent removal from the platform."
Anti-Patterns
- Legalese — guidelines written like a terms of service are never read. Write like a human, not a lawyer.
- Vague rules — "Be respectful" without examples leaves enforcement subjective. Define what respectful means.
- No enforcement escalation — permanent bans for first offenses feel disproportionate. Use a graduated approach.
- No appeal process — people make mistakes and so does moderation. Always provide an appeal path.
- Set and forget — guidelines need updates as the community evolves. Review quarterly.
Recovery
- Community pushback on new guidelines: Explain the reasoning. Share the incidents that prompted the change. Grandfather existing behavior for a transition period.
- Inconsistent enforcement: Document every decision. Create an internal reference guide for moderators so enforcement is consistent.
- User does not understand why they were flagged: Improve the violation notification. Include the specific guideline violated, the content in question, and the action taken.
- Guidelines are too long: Create a summary version with the 10 most important rules. Link to the full document for details.
