component-docs-writer

name	component-docs-writer
description	Write component documentation for the Marigold Design System in MDX format with interactive demo files and anatomy diagrams. Use when the user asks to: (1) Document a new component, (2) Write or update component docs, (3) Create demo files, (4) Create anatomy diagrams, (5) Add usage examples or guidelines for components.

Marigold Component Documentation Writer

Write comprehensive, accessible component documentation for the Marigold Design System following established patterns and conventions.

Overview

Marigold documentation consists of:

• MDX files - Main documentation content with frontmatter and structured sections
• Demo files - TypeScript/React examples (.demo.tsx files)
• Anatomy diagrams - SVG illustrations showing component structure with labeled parts
• Images - Do/Dont visuals and screenshots

Quick Start

Component Documentation

1. Create directory: docs/content/components/{category}/{component}/
2. Create main MDX file: {component}.mdx
3. Create demo files: {component}-{feature}.demo.tsx
4. Follow structure: Frontmatter → Anatomy → Appearance → Usage → Props → Related

Pattern Documentation

1. Create directory: docs/content/patterns/{pattern-name}/
2. Create main MDX file: {pattern-name}.mdx
3. Follow structure: Problem → Solutions → Usage → Related

Foundation Documentation

1. Create file: docs/content/foundations/{topic}.mdx
2. Follow structure: Concept → Examples → Reference

MDX File Structure

Frontmatter (Required)

---
title: Component Name
caption: Brief description of what the component does.
badge: updated  # optional: "new", "updated", etc.
---

Standard Sections for Components

CRITICAL: The Anatomy section MUST always be the first section after the Introduction.

## Introduction (2-3 paragraphs)
Explain what the component is, its purpose, and common use cases.

## Anatomy
**REQUIRED**: Create an SVG anatomy diagram for every component.

<Image
  src="/component/component-anatomy.svg"
  alt="Anatomy of Component component"
  width={800}
  height={550}
  className="mx-auto block"
/>

<ul>
  <li><b>Part name:</b> Description of part function.</li>
  <li><b>Another part:</b> Description of part function.</li>
</ul>

## Appearance
<AppearanceDemo component={title} />
<AppearanceTable component={title} />

## Usage

Start with 1-2 paragraphs describing general use cases and possibilities.

### Feature Name
<ComponentDemo file="./component-feature.demo.tsx" />

### Guidelines
<GuidelineTiles>
  <Do>
    <Do.Description>Clear guidance on correct usage.</Do.Description>
  </Do>
  <Dont>
    <Dont.Description>Clear guidance on what to avoid.</Dont.Description>
  </Dont>
</GuidelineTiles>

## Props
<StorybookHintMessage component={title} />
<PropsTable component={title} />

## Alternative components
- [RelatedComponent](/path): Description

Core Writing Principles

Use-case driven, not API-driven: Focus on HOW and WHEN to use components, not just walking through the API.

Lead with the problem, not the prop: Always start usage subsections by describing the problem or user need, THEN show how the component solves it.

Order by frequency: Start with most common use cases, progress to less common ones.

Show, don't just tell: Every usage subsection should include a demo.

Informed by UX best practices: Consult references/ux-principles.md for component guidance and accessibility patterns.

Never use dashes in prose: Do not use em dashes (—) or en dashes (–) in documentation. Use commas, periods, or rephrase sentences instead.

Examples:

• ❌ Bad: "When users need to upload files—such as documents or images—use FileField"
• ✅ Good: "When users need to upload files such as documents or images, use FileField"
• ❌ Bad: "The component provides two methods—drag and drop or browse"
• ✅ Good: "The component provides two methods: drag and drop or browse"

See references/writing-guidelines.md for complete style guide.

Usage Section Guidelines

CRITICAL: Only create usage sections that solve real user problems

Usage sections must ALWAYS follow this pattern:

1. Start with a user problem or scenario
2. Show how the component solves it
3. Include a demo

If a section doesn't describe a problem that the component solves, DO NOT create it.

Never Create Sections For These Topics

FORBIDDEN usage section topics (these belong in the Props table only):

• ❌ width or "Width customization" or "Adjusting width"
• ❌ disabled or "Disabled state" or "Disabling the component"
• ❌ required or "Required fields" or "Making it required"
• ❌ error or "Error state" or "Showing errors"
• ❌ description or "Help text" or "Adding descriptions"
• ❌ placeholder or "Placeholder text"
• ❌ size or "Sizing" (unless sizes have specific UX implications beyond visual size)
• ❌ variant or "Variants" (unless variants represent different use cases, not just styling)
• ❌ Any other common form field property shared across all similar components

These are documented in the Props table. Only create a usage section if you have specific UX guidance beyond "set the prop to X".

When to Create a Usage Section

Create a usage section ONLY when:

• ✅ It describes a specific user problem or scenario
• ✅ It explains WHEN and WHY to use this feature (not just HOW)
• ✅ It provides UX guidance beyond the prop documentation
• ✅ It includes Do/Dont guidelines or accessibility considerations
• ✅ It demonstrates a meaningful use case

Valid usage section examples:

• "Uploading multiple files" (describes when users need to upload several files at once)
• "Restricting file types" (explains why and when to limit accepted formats)
• "Labeling" (provides UX guidance on writing effective labels)
• "Accessibility" (explains a11y considerations)

Invalid usage section examples:

• ❌ "Width customization" (just explains how to set a common prop)
• ❌ "Disabled state" (common prop with no specific UX guidance)
• ❌ "Required fields" (common prop documented in Props table)

Usage Section Structure (MANDATORY)

Each usage subsection MUST follow this structure:

1. Describe the problem/scenario from user's perspective (1-2 sentences, NO dashes)
2. Show the solution with a demo
3. Explain how it works (mention relevant props)
4. Provide guidance (optional Do/Dont when needed)

Examples:

• ❌ Bad: "Set the multiple prop to allow selecting several files..."
• ✅ Good: "When users need to upload several files at once, such as photos for a gallery, enable multiple file selection. Set the multiple prop..."
• ❌ Bad: "You can customize the width of the field using the width prop..."
• ✅ Good: DO NOT CREATE THIS SECTION (width is a common prop)

See references/content-patterns.md for detailed section templates.

Demo Files

Naming: {component}-{feature}.demo.tsx

Patterns: See references/demo-patterns.md for:

• Basic demo pattern
• Appearance demo pattern
• Feature demo pattern
• Complex examples

Guidelines:

• Keep demos minimal and focused
• Show one concept per demo
• Use real-world examples

Anatomy Diagrams

REQUIRED for all component documentation. See references/anatomy-diagrams.md for:

• How to create SVG diagrams
• Styling and labeling guidelines
• Example diagrams to reference

Quick reference:

1. Create SVG: docs/public/{component}/{component}-anatomy.svg
2. Reference in MDX using the .svg file directly
3. Reference examples: fileupload-anatomy.svg, textfield-anatomy.svg

UX Knowledge Base

Consult references/ux-principles.md for:

• Component selection guidance (buttons vs links, checkboxes vs radio, etc.)
• Form design best practices
• Accessibility patterns
• Common UX anti-patterns
• Mobile and responsive considerations

Use this knowledge to:

• Write informed usage guidance explaining WHEN and WHY
• Create relevant Do/Dont examples
• Include accessibility considerations
• Identify common mistakes to warn against

Special MDX Components

See references/mdx-components.md for complete reference.

Most commonly used:

• <ComponentDemo file="./demo.tsx" /> - Embed interactive demo
• <AppearanceDemo component={title} /> - Auto-render all variants
• <AppearanceTable component={title} /> - Variant descriptions table
• <GuidelineTiles> with <Do> and <Dont> - Usage guidelines
• <SectionMessage variant="info|warning|error"> - Callout boxes
• <PropsTable component={title} /> - Auto-generated props table

Workflow

1. Understand the component

   • Read component implementation in packages/components/src/{Component}/
   • Check Storybook stories: packages/components/src/{Component}/{Component}.stories.tsx
   • Stories reveal use cases, edge cases, and important features to document
   • Analyze component parts for anatomy diagram labels

2. Plan sections

   • Decide which usage sections are needed
   • Consult references/ux-principles.md for component type
   • Identify common use cases, best practices, anti-patterns
   • Plan Do/Dont guidelines based on UX knowledge

3. Create anatomy diagram (REQUIRED)

   • Never skip this step - mandatory for all component documentation
   • Follow references/anatomy-diagrams.md
   • Save as docs/public/{component}/{component}-anatomy.svg
   • Reference the SVG directly in the documentation (no conversion needed)

4. Create demo files

   • Write demos to understand component usage
   • Often based on Storybook story examples
   • Follow references/demo-patterns.md

5. Write MDX

   • Use demos, story insights, anatomy diagram, and UX principles
   • Follow references/content-patterns.md templates
   • Reference references/examples.md for inspiration

6. Add guidelines

   • Include Do/Dont examples based on UX best practices
   • Warn against common mistakes

7. Review accessibility

   • Ensure a11y considerations are covered
   • Reference references/ux-principles.md

8. Cross-reference

   • Link to related components and patterns

Validation

Run validation script before completing:

python scripts/validate_docs.py docs/content/components/{category}/{component}/

The script checks for:

• Required frontmatter fields
• Anatomy section presence and ordering
• Demo file naming conventions
• Cross-reference validity
• Image file existence

Manual checklist for items not covered by script:

• Introduction explains what, why, and when (2-3 paragraphs)
• Usage section starts with 1-2 paragraphs of context
• Demos are minimal and focused
• Accessibility considerations mentioned
• UX best practices applied

Resources

Reference Guides (Load as Needed)

• references/anatomy-diagrams.md - Anatomy diagram creation guide
• references/ux-principles.md - UX knowledge for components
• references/writing-guidelines.md - Style and conventions
• references/mdx-components.md - Special components reference
• references/content-patterns.md - Section templates
• references/demo-patterns.md - Demo file patterns
• references/examples.md - Exemplary excerpts

Example Anatomy Diagrams

• references/fileupload-anatomy.svg - Multi-part component
• references/textfield-anatomy.svg - Simple input field

Scripts

• scripts/create_doc_structure.py - Scaffold new component docs
• scripts/validate_docs.py - Validate documentation completeness
• scripts/validate_demo.py - Check demo file conventions

Templates

Use templates in assets/templates/ as starting points:

• component-doc.mdx - Full component documentation template
• pattern-doc.mdx - Pattern documentation template
• demo-basic.tsx - Basic demo template
• demo-appearance.tsx - Appearance demo template