Documentation Skill (Diataxis Framework)

Write documentation that serves user needs using the Diataxis framework.

Quick Reference

Decision Matrix

Use the Diataxis Compass to determine doc type:

Is the content about ACTION or COGNITION?
├── ACTION (practical steps, doing)
│   ├── For ACQUISITION (study/learning) → Tutorial
│   └── For APPLICATION (work/tasks) → How-to Guide
└── COGNITION (theoretical knowledge, thinking)
    ├── For APPLICATION (work/tasks) → Reference
    └── For ACQUISITION (study/learning) → Explanation

Instructions

1. Determine Documentation Type

If type is specified: Use that type directly.

If audit is requested: Analyze existing docs against Diataxis principles. Report:

• What type each doc appears to be
• Whether content matches its apparent type
• Boundary violations (e.g., explanation bleeding into reference)
• Gaps in coverage

Otherwise, ask these questions:

1. Does this inform the user's action (doing) or cognition (knowing)?
2. Does it serve acquisition (study) or application (work)?

2. Apply Type-Specific Guidelines

Read the detailed guide for your documentation type:

• TUTORIAL.md - Learning-oriented lessons
• HOWTO.md - Goal-oriented directions
• REFERENCE.md - Information-oriented descriptions
• EXPLANATION.md - Understanding-oriented discussion

3. Key Principles (All Types)

Do:

• Focus on user needs, not product features
• Keep boundaries clear between doc types
• Link to other doc types rather than mixing content
• Use language appropriate to the doc type

Don't:

• Mix learning content with task guidance
• Add explanation where description is needed
• Include reference details in tutorials
• Blur boundaries between doc types

4. Structural Guidelines

Naming conventions:

• Tutorials: "Getting started with X", "Learn to X"
• How-to: "How to X", "Configuring X for Y"
• Reference: "X API", "X configuration options"
• Explanation: "About X", "Understanding X", "Why X"

Landing pages for each section should:

• Provide overview of contents
• Use headings and snippets (not just lists)
• Group related items (max 7 items per group)

Common Anti-Patterns

Workflow Summary

1. Identify the user need (learning/goal/info/understanding)
2. Select doc type using the compass
3. Read the detailed guide for that type
4. Write following type-specific principles
5. Review for boundary violations
6. Link to related docs of other types

Further Reading

• COMPASS.md - Decision tool for doc type selection
• QUALITY.md - Functional vs deep quality
• WORKFLOW.md - Iterative improvement process