docs-cleaner

name

docs-cleaner

description

Consolidates redundant documentation while preserving all valuable content. This skill should be used when users want to clean up documentation bloat, merge redundant docs, reduce documentation sprawl, or consolidate multiple files covering the same topic. Triggers include "clean up docs", "consolidate documentation", "too many doc files", "merge these docs", or when documentation exceeds 500 lines across multiple files covering similar topics.

Documentation Cleaner

Consolidate redundant documentation while preserving 100% of valuable content.

Core Principle

Critical evaluation before deletion. Never blindly delete. Analyze each section's unique value before proposing removal. The goal is reduction without information loss.

Workflow

Phase 1: Discovery

1. Identify all documentation files covering the topic
2. Count total lines across files
3. Map content overlap between documents

Phase 2: Value Analysis

For each document, create a section-by-section analysis table:

Section	Lines	Value	Reason
API Reference	25	Keep	Unique endpoint documentation
Setup Steps	40	Condense	Verbose but essential
Test Results	30	Delete	One-time record, not reference

Value categories:

• Keep: Unique, essential, frequently referenced
• Condense: Valuable but verbose
• Delete: Duplicate, one-time, self-evident, outdated

See references/value_analysis_template.md for detailed criteria.

Phase 3: Consolidation Plan

Propose target structure:

Before: 726 lines (3 files, high redundancy)
After:  ~100 lines (1 file + reference in CLAUDE.md)
Reduction: 86%
Value preserved: 100%

Phase 4: Execution

1. Create consolidated document with all valuable content
2. Delete redundant source files
3. Update references (CLAUDE.md, README, imports)
4. Verify no broken links

Value Preservation Checklist

Before finalizing, confirm preservation of:

• Essential procedures (setup, configuration)
• Key constraints and gotchas
• Troubleshooting guides
• Technical debt / roadmap items
• External links and references
• Debug tips and code snippets

Anti-Patterns

Pattern	Problem	Solution
Blind deletion	Loses valuable information	Section-by-section analysis first
Keeping everything	No reduction achieved	Apply value criteria strictly
Multiple sources of truth	Future divergence	Single authoritative location
Orphaned references	Broken links	Update all references after consolidation

Output Artifacts

A successful cleanup produces:

1. Consolidated document - Single source of truth
2. Value analysis - Section-by-section justification
3. Before/after metrics - Lines reduced, value preserved
4. Updated references - CLAUDE.md or README with pointer to new location