documentation-updater

name	documentation-updater
description	Guide CLAUDE.md updates based on doc-guard suggestions. This skill should be used when updating documentation, fixing docs, addressing doc-guard suggestions, or updating CLAUDE.md. Activates when user requests "update documentation", "fix docs", "doc-guard suggestions", or "update CLAUDE.md". Use when this capability is needed.
metadata	{"author":"davidabeyer"}

Documentation Updater Skill

You are helping update CLAUDE.md documentation based on doc-guard suggestions.

When to Use

Automatically activate when the user:

• Requests documentation updates ("update docs", "fix documentation")
• Mentions doc-guard ("address doc-guard suggestions", "check pending docs")
• Wants to update CLAUDE.md ("update CLAUDE.md", "add to docs")
• Asks about pending documentation work

Workflow

Step 1: Check Pending Suggestions

First, check for pending documentation suggestions:

./hooks/cli/doc_guard_cli.py pending

If no suggestions:

• Ask the user what documentation they want to update
• Suggest checking recent code changes for undocumented patterns

If suggestions exist:

• Review each suggestion's summary and reason
• Note which files and sections need updates

Step 2: Review Each Suggestion

For each suggestion in pending.json:

1. Read the suggested file (usually CLAUDE.md or hooks/CLAUDE.md)
2. Locate the suggested section (e.g., "Common Commands", "Key Patterns")
3. Understand the reason for the update
4. Verify the suggested content aligns with actual implementation

Step 3: Follow Anchor Comment Conventions

When updating CLAUDE.md, follow these conventions:

For Major Patterns:

Add anchor comments for reusable, significant patterns:

<!-- PATTERN-NAME -->
### Pattern Title

**Purpose**: Brief description of what this pattern does

**Usage**: When to use this pattern

**Implementation**:
- Key implementation details
- File references with line numbers

**Example**:
```language
# Code example

See: Related patterns or files

**For Command Reference:**

Update Common Commands section with executable examples:

```markdown
## Common Commands

```bash
# Command description
command-name --arg value

# Example use case
actual-example-command

**For Project Rules:**

Add to Project-Specific Rules with numbered list:

```markdown
## Project-Specific Rules

1. **Rule description** - Implementation requirement
2. **Next rule** - Rationale and consequences

Step 4: Reference Anchors in Code

When a pattern has an anchor comment, reference it in related code:

"""Module implementing X.

Implements <!-- PATTERN-NAME --> from CLAUDE.md:section.
See CLAUDE.md for usage and examples.
"""

This creates bidirectional discoverability:

• Documentation → Code: References show where pattern is used
• Code → Documentation: Docstrings point to detailed guidance

Step 5: Verify Updates

After updating documentation:

1. Validate markdown - Ensure proper formatting
2. Check anchor references - Verify they point to correct sections
3. Test commands - Run any command examples added
4. Review consistency - Ensure style matches existing docs

Step 6: Clear Suggestions

After addressing all suggestions:

./hooks/cli/doc_guard_cli.py clear

This removes the pending.json file and marks suggestions as resolved.

Common Updates

Adding a New Pattern

When documenting a reusable pattern:

1. Choose anchor name: Use UPPERCASE-WITH-HYPHENS

   • Good: BACKGROUND-WORKERS, METADATA-SIDECAR
   • Bad: background_workers, MetadataSidecar

2. Add anchor before section:

   <!-- NEW-PATTERN -->
   ### Pattern Title
   

3. Include these subsections:

   • Purpose: What problem does it solve?
   • Usage: When to use it?
   • Implementation: Key technical details
   • Example: Working code snippet
   • See: Related patterns or files

4. Reference in code:

   """Implements <!-- NEW-PATTERN --> from CLAUDE.md."""
   

Updating Command Reference

When adding new commands:

1. Find Common Commands section

2. Add command with context:

   # Description of what command does
   command-name --arg value
   
   # Specific use case example
   real-example-with-actual-values
   

3. Group related commands together

4. Include output examples if helpful

Adding Project Rules

When documenting project requirements:

1. Find Project-Specific Rules section

2. Add as numbered item:

   N. **Rule title** - Brief requirement description
   

3. Include rationale if not obvious

4. Reference related patterns with anchor comments

Updating Hook Documentation

When documenting hooks:

1. Update Hook Types Reference table:

   | Hook | Trigger | Purpose | File |
   |------|---------|---------|------|
   | HookName | When it runs | What it does | path/to/file.py |
   

2. Add to Key Patterns if pattern is reusable

3. Update Common Gotchas if there are known issues

Best Practices

Documentation Quality

• Be specific: Include file paths with line numbers
• Show examples: Working code snippets > abstract descriptions
• Link concepts: Cross-reference related patterns
• Keep current: Update docs when implementation changes

Anchor Comments

• Use sparingly: Only for major, reusable patterns
• Choose clear names: Should describe the pattern clearly
• Reference consistently: Always use same anchor in related code
• Maintain index: Update anchor cross-reference if it exists

Writing Style

• Imperative mood: "Run tests" not "You should run tests"
• Concrete examples: Show actual commands, not templates
• Clear structure: Use headings, tables, code blocks
• Scannable: Use bullets, tables, and formatting

Integration with Doc-Guard

Doc-guard workflow:

1. Hook detects changes to documented areas (hooks/lib/*.py, etc.)
2. Generates suggestions in pending.json
3. This skill guides updates based on suggestions
4. User clears suggestions after addressing

Pending.json structure:

{
  "entries": [
    {
      "summary": "Brief description of change",
      "suggestions": [
        {
          "file": "CLAUDE.md",
          "section": "Key Patterns",
          "reason": "New pattern added",
          "suggested_content": "Content to add"
        }
      ]
    }
  ]
}

Tips

Finding the Right Section

Common CLAUDE.md sections and when to use them:

Section	When to Update
Tech Stack	New dependencies, framework changes
Project Structure	New directories, file organization changes
Common Commands	New CLI commands, common operations
Key Patterns	Reusable architectural patterns
Project-Specific Rules	New requirements, conventions
Hook Types Reference	New hooks, hook changes
Testing Requirements	New test patterns, coverage changes

Handling Unclear Suggestions

If a doc-guard suggestion is unclear:

1. Read the triggering code to understand what changed
2. Search for similar patterns in existing docs
3. Ask the user what aspects need documentation
4. Start with basics and iterate based on feedback

Maintaining Consistency

When updating docs:

• Match existing style: Follow format of similar sections
• Use consistent terminology: Check existing usage
• Preserve structure: Keep established section organization
• Update related sections: Keep cross-references accurate

Example Workflows

Example 1: New Pattern Added

Situation: Code added new background worker pattern, doc-guard suggests update

$ ./hooks/cli/doc_guard_cli.py pending
📋 1 pending suggestion(s):

[1] New background worker for analytics
    → CLAUDE.md: Key Patterns
      Reason: New fire-and-forget pattern in analytics_worker.py

Actions:

1. Read analytics_worker.py to understand pattern
2. Check if similar to existing BACKGROUND-WORKERS pattern
3. Either extend existing pattern or create new anchor
4. Add example showing analytics-specific usage
5. Reference anchor in analytics_worker.py docstring
6. Clear suggestions

Example 2: New Command Added

Situation: New CLI command added, needs documentation

$ ./hooks/cli/doc_guard_cli.py pending
📋 1 pending suggestion(s):

[1] New epic-verify command
    → CLAUDE.md: Common Commands
      Reason: New command in cli/commands/epic_verify.py

Actions:

1. Find "Common Commands" section in CLAUDE.md
2. Add command under appropriate subsection:

   # Verify epic GitHub sync status
   python -m hooks.cli pm epic-verify <epic-name>
   

3. Update CLI command reference table if it exists
4. Clear suggestions

Example 3: Hook Configuration Changed

Situation: New PreToolUse hook added

$ ./hooks/cli/doc_guard_cli.py pending
📋 1 pending suggestion(s):

[1] New websearch-to-exa validator hook
    → CLAUDE.md: Hook Configuration
      Reason: New PreToolUse hook enforces Exa usage

Actions:

1. Find "Hook Configuration" section
2. Update PreToolUse hooks table
3. Add to "Project-Specific Rules" if enforced
4. Document in "Common Gotchas" if there are issues
5. Clear suggestions

References

• Main documentation: ~/formaltask/CLAUDE.md
• Hook documentation: ~/formaltask/hooks/CLAUDE.md
• Doc-guard CLI: hooks/cli/doc_guard_cli.py
• Pending suggestions: .claude/doc-guard/pending.json
• Anchor conventions: See main CLAUDE.md for examples

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