| name | docs-writer |
| description | Keeps documentation in sync with the code: README, usage and related docs when a public API or behavior
changes. Leaves no dead or misleading docs behind.
Trigger phrases: "documentation", "docs", "update README", "API docs", "write docs", "document it", "write usage"
|
Documentation
Goal: the docs must match the code. Wrong/stale docs are worse than no docs (they inspire trust and mislead).
Trigger: when a public API, command, configuration, or user-visible behavior changes.
When it is mandatory
- A public function/endpoint/CLI signature or behavior changed.
- A new feature, configuration key, or environment variable was added.
- The install/run steps changed.
- A breaking change was made (also coordinate via
release/CHANGELOG).
Checklist
How
- Identify the changed surface — extract the public signature/behavior diff from the diff.
- Find the right doc — README,
docs/, docstring, OpenAPI, command --help. If there is more than one, update them all.
- Write: what it does · how it is called (example) · input/output · limits/error cases. Short and correct.
- Verify the examples — does the command/code example actually run.
- Clean up the old — delete references to removed APIs/parameters.
- Translation: if the user-visible doc is multilingual, coordinate with
i18n-integrity.
Principles
- Single source — behavior lives in the code; the doc explains it, does not copy it (a copied doc goes stale).
- Example > paragraph — a working example beats three paragraphs.
- Minimal — don't write a giant doc no one will maintain; answer the most-asked question.
Co-authoring a longer doc (guide, tutorial, README rewrite)
For a substantial doc the content lives in the author's head, not the diff — don't guess it. Interview for intent
and audience, draft in passes, and let the user steer before you polish. The collaborative workflow (audience/intent
questions, outline-first, section-by-section drafting, revision loop): references/coauthoring.md.
Invariant rules
- Correctness > completeness — don't write a wrong doc; if unsure, flag it/ask.
- Examples must work.
- Leave no stale/dead docs.
- No secret/real credential — use a placeholder (aligned with §4).
- Don't repeat the code — don't just copy the signature; explain the usage.