Creates step-by-step tutorials with screenshot placeholders, code snippets, and troubleshooting sections. Use this skill when a user needs to write a how-to guide, help documentation, onboarding walkthrough, or educational tutorial for their product, tool, or process.
Creates step-by-step tutorials with screenshot placeholders, code snippets, and troubleshooting sections. Use this skill when a user needs to write a how-to guide, help documentation, onboarding walkthrough, or educational tutorial for their product, tool, or process.
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Tutorial Writer
When to Use This Skill
User needs a how-to guide for their product or tool
User wants to create help documentation or a knowledge base article
User is building an onboarding walkthrough for new customers
User needs a technical tutorial with code examples
User wants to document a process with clear visual references
User asks for educational content with step-by-step instructions
Core Principle
EVERY STEP MUST PASS THE "CAN I DO THIS RIGHT NOW?" TEST — IF A READER CANNOT TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION FROM A STEP, THE STEP IS TOO VAGUE.
Workflow
Phase 1: Scope the Tutorial
Identify the tutorial topic and target reader skill level (beginner, intermediate, advanced)
Define the single outcome the reader will achieve by the end
List prerequisites the reader needs before starting
Estimate completion time for the full tutorial
Ask the user:
What is the reader trying to accomplish?
What do they already know coming in?
What tool/platform/language is involved?
Phase 2: Outline the Steps
Break the process into 5-12 major steps (fewer for beginners, more granularity is fine for advanced)
Order steps chronologically — never jump ahead or reference future steps
Identify where screenshots or visuals would help (mark with [SCREENSHOT: description])
Note any decision points where the reader might take different paths
Phase 3: Write Each Step
Write each step using this structure:
Step title as a heading (action verb + object)
One sentence explaining WHY this step matters
Numbered sub-steps with exact UI paths or commands
Screenshot placeholder where the reader needs visual confirmation
Expected result after completing the step
Common mistake callout if applicable
For code snippets, always include:
The complete code block (not fragments)
Language identifier on the code fence
Inline comments explaining non-obvious lines
Expected output or result
Phase 4: Add Troubleshooting
Create a "Troubleshooting" section at the end covering:
3-5 most common errors or confusion points
Exact error messages the reader might see
Step-by-step fix for each issue
"If this doesn't work" escalation path
Add a "What's Next" section linking to logical follow-up tutorials or resources
Phase 5: Format and Polish
Add a title, estimated time, difficulty level, and prerequisites at the top
Ensure every screenshot placeholder has a descriptive label
Add tip/warning/note callouts using blockquote formatting
Review for jargon — replace or define any term a beginner wouldn't know
Output Format
# How to [Achieve Specific Outcome]**Difficulty:** Beginner | Intermediate | Advanced
**Time:** X minutes
**Prerequisites:** [List what's needed]
---
## Step 1: [Action Verb] + [Object]
Why this matters: [one sentence].
1. Go to **Settings > Account > API Keys**2. Click **Generate New Key**3. Name your key `production-api`
[SCREENSHOT: The API Keys panel showing the Generate New Key button]
**Expected result:** You see a new key starting with `sk-` in your key list.
> **Common mistake:** Don't copy the key ID — copy the full key value that starts with `sk-`.
---
## Troubleshooting### "Invalid API Key" error1. Confirm you copied the full key (starts with `sk-`)
2. Check there are no trailing spaces
3. Regenerate the key if the issue persists
---
## What's Next- [Link to next tutorial]
Example 1: Setting Up Stripe Payments in Shopify
Input: "Write a tutorial for adding Stripe to a Shopify store"
Output:
How to Connect Stripe Payments to Your Shopify Store
Difficulty: Beginner
Time: 15 minutes
Prerequisites: Active Shopify store, Stripe account (free to create)
Step 1: Create Your Stripe Account
Why this matters: Stripe processes your credit card payments and deposits funds to your bank.
Enter your email, full name, and create a password
Click Create account
[SCREENSHOT: Stripe signup page with the three fields highlighted]
Expected result: You land on the Stripe Dashboard with a banner saying "Welcome to Stripe."
Step 2: Activate Stripe in Shopify
Why this matters: This links your Stripe account to your store so payments flow correctly.
In Shopify admin, go to Settings > Payments
Under "Payment providers," click Choose a provider
Select Stripe from the list
Click Activate Stripe
Log in with your Stripe credentials when prompted
[SCREENSHOT: Shopify Payments settings page with Stripe listed under providers]
Expected result: Stripe appears as your active payment provider with a green "Active" badge.
Warning: If you already have Shopify Payments active, you must deactivate it first. Go to Settings > Payments > Manage > Deactivate Shopify Payments.
Step 3: Run a Test Transaction
Why this matters: Confirms payments actually work before real customers try to buy.
In Stripe Dashboard, toggle Test mode (top right)
In Shopify, go to Settings > Payments > Manage
Check Enable test mode
Place an order on your store using test card 4242 4242 4242 4242, any future expiration, any CVC
Confirm the order appears in Stripe Dashboard under Payments
[SCREENSHOT: Stripe Dashboard showing the test payment with "Succeeded" status]
Expected result: The test payment shows "Succeeded" in Stripe and the order appears in Shopify.
Tip: Always disable test mode before going live. Real customers cannot pay while test mode is on.
Troubleshooting
"Connection failed" when activating Stripe
Clear your browser cache and cookies
Try in an incognito/private browser window
Ensure your Stripe account email matches your login
If the issue persists, contact Shopify support at Help > Contact Support
Test payment shows "Failed"
Confirm you used test card number 4242 4242 4242 4242
Ensure test mode is enabled in BOTH Stripe and Shopify
Check that the expiration date is in the future
Payments not appearing in bank account
Stripe holds first payouts for 7-14 days (normal for new accounts)
Go to Stripe Dashboard > Payouts to see your payout schedule
Ensure your bank account is verified under Settings > Bank accounts
What's Next
Set up automatic tax calculation in Shopify
Configure shipping rates for your store
Create your first discount code
Example 2: Creating a Mailchimp Email Automation
Input: "Tutorial for setting up a welcome email sequence in Mailchimp"
Output:
How to Create a Welcome Email Sequence in Mailchimp
Difficulty: Intermediate
Time: 30 minutes
Prerequisites: Mailchimp account (Standard plan or higher), at least one audience/list
Step 1: Navigate to Automations
Log in to Mailchimp and click Automations in the left sidebar
Click Create Automation
Select Welcome new subscribers
Choose your audience from the dropdown
Click Begin
[SCREENSHOT: Mailchimp automation builder showing the "Welcome new subscribers" template selected]
Expected result: You see the automation builder with one email pre-loaded.
Step 2: Configure Email 1 — The Instant Welcome
Click on Email 1 in the automation flow
Set the trigger to Immediately after signup
Set the subject line: Welcome to the crew — here's what to expect
Click Design Email and choose a template
Write your welcome content: introduce yourself, set expectations for email frequency, deliver any promised lead magnet
Click Save and Continue
[SCREENSHOT: Email editor with subject line and body content filled in]
Expected result: Email 1 shows a green checkmark in the automation flow.
Step 3: Add Email 2 — The Value Email (Day 3)
Click Add Email below Email 1
Set the delay to 3 days after the previous email
Subject line: The #1 mistake I see new store owners make
Write content that delivers genuine value — a tip, framework, or resource
Click Save and Continue
[SCREENSHOT: Delay settings showing "3 days after previous email"]
Step 4: Add Email 3 — The Soft Ask (Day 7)
Click Add Email below Email 2
Set the delay to 4 days after the previous email
Subject line: Quick question for you
Write content that invites a reply or introduces your product/service naturally
Click Save and Continue
Step 5: Activate the Automation
Review all three emails in the flow view
Click Start Sending in the top right
Confirm in the popup dialog
Warning: Once activated, you cannot reorder emails. You can edit content and pause individual emails, but the sequence order is locked.
[SCREENSHOT: Completed automation flow showing all three emails with green checkmarks]
Expected result: The automation status changes to "Sending" and new subscribers will receive the sequence.
Troubleshooting
Subscribers not receiving the welcome email
Check if the automation is set to "Sending" (not "Paused")
Verify the subscriber joined the correct audience
Go to Audience > All contacts and check if the contact shows as "Subscribed" (not "Cleaned" or "Unsubscribed")
Emails landing in spam
Authenticate your domain: go to Website > Domains > Authenticate
Remove spam trigger words from subject lines (FREE, ACT NOW, etc.)
Ensure you have a physical mailing address in your email footer
Cannot add more than 3 emails
Confirm you are on Mailchimp Standard plan or higher
Free and Essentials plans limit automation emails
What's Next
Set up abandoned cart email automation
Create a re-engagement sequence for inactive subscribers
Build a post-purchase follow-up automation
Recovery and Fallback
If the user's topic is too broad, narrow it: "Let's focus on just the setup portion first. We can create a separate tutorial for advanced configuration."
If the process has more than 15 steps, split into a multi-part series with clear links between parts
If the user cannot provide screenshots, describe the exact UI location in text: "the blue button labeled 'Save' in the top-right corner of the page"
If the user's tool has no public documentation, ask for a screen recording or live walkthrough to extract the steps
After 3 failed attempts to clarify the process, stop and say: "I need more context about how this feature works. Can you walk me through it once so I can document it?"
Constraints
NEVER skip the troubleshooting section — every tutorial must have at least 3 common issues
NEVER use vague instructions like "configure the settings" — name every button, field, and menu path
NEVER assume the reader knows keyboard shortcuts — always provide the menu path first
Keep each step to ONE action — if you write "and then," it should be two steps
Screenshot placeholders must describe WHAT the reader should see, not just WHERE to look
All code blocks must include the language identifier for syntax highlighting
Do not exceed 20 major steps — split into multiple tutorials if needed
