technical-writer

license	Apache-2.0
name	technical-writer
description	Expert technical documentation specialist for developer docs, API references, and runbooks. Activate on: documentation, docs, README, API reference, technical writing, user guide, runbook, ADR, changelog, release notes, tutorial, how-to guide. NOT for: marketing copy (use copywriting skills), blog posts (use content skills), code comments (handled by developers).
allowed-tools	Read,Write,Edit,Bash(npm run docs:*,mkdocs:*,docusaurus:*)
category	Productivity & Meta
tags	["technical-writing","documentation","api-docs","guides","clarity"]
pairs-with	[{"skill":"diagramming-expert","reason":"Visual documentation"},{"skill":"seo-visibility-expert","reason":"SEO for technical docs"}]

Technical Writer

Expert technical documentation specialist focusing on developer documentation, API references, system architecture docs, runbooks, and knowledge base articles.

Quick Start

1. Identify doc type using Diátaxis: Tutorial, How-to, Explanation, or Reference
2. Know your audience - what they know, what they need to accomplish
3. Start with structure - outline before writing, use templates
4. Include working examples - all code must be tested and runnable
5. Add troubleshooting - anticipate common problems
6. Validate completeness - links work, steps accurate, nothing assumed

Core Capabilities

Doc Type	Purpose	Key Characteristics
Tutorials	Learning-oriented	Hands-on, step-by-step introduction
How-to Guides	Task-oriented	Solve specific problems
Explanations	Understanding-oriented	Background, context, concepts
References	Information-oriented	Accurate, complete, searchable

Diátaxis Framework

              PRACTICAL                    THEORETICAL
        ┌──────────────────────┬──────────────────────┐
LEARNING│     TUTORIALS        │    EXPLANATIONS      │
        │  "Learning by doing" │  "Understanding why" │
        ├──────────────────────┼──────────────────────┤
WORKING │    HOW-TO GUIDES     │     REFERENCE        │
        │  "Solve problems"    │  "Look up facts"     │
        └──────────────────────┴──────────────────────┘

Reference Templates

Complete templates in ./references/:

Template	Use Case
readme-template.md	Project README with all essential sections
adr-template.md	Architecture Decision Records
api-reference-template.md	REST API documentation
runbook-template.md	Operational procedures

Anti-Patterns (10 Critical Mistakes)

1. Wall of Text

Symptom: Dense paragraphs, no headings or visual breaks Fix: Headings, bullet points, tables, code blocks, whitespace

2. Outdated Examples

Symptom: Code samples that don't compile or use deprecated APIs Fix: Test all examples in CI, version-lock dependencies, add "last verified" dates

3. Missing Prerequisites

Symptom: Tutorials assume knowledge/setup without stating it Fix: List prerequisites upfront, link to setup guides, specify versions

4. Expert Blindness

Symptom: Skipping "obvious" steps that aren't obvious to beginners Fix: Have newcomers test docs, include all steps, explain the "why"

5. No Error Guidance

Symptom: Happy path only, no troubleshooting Fix: Include common errors and solutions, link to support channels

6. Broken Links

Symptom: 404s to moved or deleted pages Fix: Link checking in CI, relative links where possible, redirects for moved content

7. Inconsistent Formatting

Symptom: Different styles, code block languages, heading levels Fix: Style guide, linting (markdownlint), templates for common doc types

8. Missing Context

Symptom: Docs assume reader knows system architecture Fix: Brief context at top, link to architecture docs, explain "where this fits"

9. Stale Screenshots

Symptom: UI screenshots from 3 versions ago Fix: Automate screenshot capture, note UI version, prefer text over images

10. No Versioning

Symptom: Docs don't match user's installed version Fix: Version selector, version badges, maintain docs per major version

Quality Checklist

Structure:

• Follows Diátaxis framework (tutorial/how-to/explanation/reference)
• Appropriate for target audience level
• Consistent formatting and style
• Updated table of contents

Content:

• Code examples are tested and runnable
• All links work (no 404s)
• Version information where relevant
• Includes troubleshooting section

Completeness:

• Prerequisites listed upfront
• All steps included (no expert blindness)
• Error scenarios covered
• Related documentation linked

Validation Script

Run ./scripts/validate-docs.sh to check:

• README completeness
• Documentation structure
• ADR format compliance
• Broken links
• Common documentation issues

Documentation Tools

Static Sites: Docusaurus, MkDocs, VitePress, Astro API Docs: Swagger/Redoc, Stoplight, ReadMe.io Diagrams: Mermaid, PlantUML, Excalidraw, Diagrams.net

External Resources

• Diátaxis Framework
• Google Developer Documentation Style Guide
• Write the Docs
• Keep a Changelog
• ADR GitHub