Doclea MCP

# Doclea Documentation Strategy Index Complete reference for documentation planning and creation. --- ## Quick Navigation ### For Decision-Makers Start here to understand the documentation strategy: 1. **[DOCUMENTATION_EXCELLENCE_SUMMARY.md](./DOCUMENTATION_EXCELLENCE_SUMMARY.md)** - Executive overview - The challenge (2 conflicting user needs) - The solution (3-tier architecture) - Critical success factors - Timeline and effort estimation ### For Documentation Writers Use these while creating content: 1. **[WRITING_CHECKLIST.md](./WRITING_CHECKLIST.md)** - Quick reference checklist - Before writing (setup) - During writing (structure, tone, code) - Before publishing (review) - Common mistakes to avoid - Templates to copy 2. **[VISUAL_STYLE_GUIDE.md](./VISUAL_STYLE_GUIDE.md)** - Formatting standards - Typography (headings, emphasis, code) - Code block formatting - Tables and lists - Callout boxes - Links and images - Accessibility 3. **[DOCUMENTATION_STRATEGY.md](./DOCUMENTATION_STRATEGY.md)** - Comprehensive philosophy - Tone and voice guide (with examples) - Complete page structure patterns - Code example strategies - What makes documentation "world-class" - Visual elements and when to use them - Real-world examples for every pattern ### For Content Planning Use these to plan what to write: 1. **[CONTENT_ROADMAP.md](./CONTENT_ROADMAP.md)** - Detailed content plan - Page-by-page breakdown (all 14+ planned pages) - Tier 1 (Quick Start) - Tier 2 (Core Features) - Tier 3 (Advanced/Reference) - Estimated effort per page - Navigation structure - Success metrics --- ## The Complete Strategy (Files Created) ### 1. DOCUMENTATION_EXCELLENCE_SUMMARY.md (This is your north star) **Type:** Executive overview **Read time:** 10 minutes **Audience:** Everyone - foundational understanding **Contains:** - Challenge statement (why this is hard) - Solution overview (3-tier approach) - Critical success factors (5 key principles) - Content strategy (what to write first) - Practical implementation (code structure patterns) - Timeline (realistic effort estimate) - Success metrics (how to measure) **Use when:** - Making decisions about documentation approach - Onboarding new documentation contributors - Reviewing documentation for quality - Explaining to leadership why documentation matters --- ### 2. DOCUMENTATION_STRATEGY.md (The complete philosophy) **Type:** Comprehensive guide **Read time:** 30-45 minutes **Audience:** Writers, reviewers, maintainers **Contains:** - Tone and voice with real examples - Must-have pages for each tier - Code example structures (5 types) - What makes documentation "world-class" (7 criteria) - Content patterns (feature, configuration, troubleshooting) - Resolving the 5-minute vs deep-dive tension - Visual elements (when to use diagrams, tables, callouts) - Complete example page (real-world "Memory Management" page) **Use when:** - Writing new documentation pages - Reviewing others' documentation - Understanding the philosophy behind decisions - Looking for examples of each pattern **Key insight:** This document contains the actual patterns you'll use when writing, including a complete example page you can use as a template. --- ### 3. WRITING_CHECKLIST.md (Your day-to-day reference) **Type:** Quick reference **Read time:** 5-10 minutes **Audience:** Documentation writers **Contains:** - Before writing checklist (define audience, tier, outcome) - Structure checklist (headings, progression, links) - Code example checklist (runnable, complete, contextualized) - Explanation checklist (what/why/example/related) - Instruction checklist (expected output, success criteria) - Tone and voice patterns - Specific patterns for Doclea (tools, memory types, workflows) - Self-review questions - Maintenance schedule **Use when:** - Starting to write a new page - Checking your work before submission - Reviewing someone else's documentation - Need quick answers to common questions **Best practice:** Print this and keep it next to your desk while writing. --- ### 4. VISUAL_STYLE_GUIDE.md (Formatting standards) **Type:** Reference for visual formatting **Read time:** 15-20 minutes **Audience:** Writers, reviewers, maintainers **Contains:** - Typography standards (headings, emphasis, code) - Code block formatting (language, output, comments) - Terminal command format (input/output) - Lists and tables (when to use each) - Callout boxes (warning, info, tip, error) - Links (internal, external, relative paths) - Diagrams (ASCII, images, when to use) - Spacing and layout principles - Consistent naming conventions - Color usage - Complete checklist **Use when:** - Formatting code examples - Deciding between a table and bullets - Choosing between ASCII diagram and image - Checking if your formatting is consistent - Making accessibility decisions **Includes:** Real examples of good vs bad formatting. --- ### 5. CONTENT_ROADMAP.md (Detailed page-by-page plan) **Type:** Implementation roadmap **Read time:** 20-30 minutes **Audience:** Content planners, writers, project managers **Contains:** - Tier 1 pages (Quick Start, Memory Types, Installation) - Tier 2 pages (Memory Management, Git Tools, Expertise, Bootstrap, Workflows) - Tier 3 pages (API, Configuration, Development, Troubleshooting, Architecture, FAQ) - For each page: purpose, length, key content, code examples, related pages - Navigation structure (file organization) - Cross-link suggestions - Timeline and effort estimation (47-63 hours total) - Content status tracking - Success metrics - Maintenance schedule **Use when:** - Planning what to write next - Estimating effort for documentation work - Understanding page dependencies - Tracking documentation progress - Determining priorities **Key insight:** This gives you exact page-by-page plans so writers can start immediately without ambiguity. --- ## The Three-Tier Architecture ### Tier 1: Quick Start (5-15 minutes) **Purpose:** Activation - get people experiencing value immediately **Pages:** - Quick Start in 5 Minutes - Understanding Memory Types - Installation Guide - README optimization **User goal:** "Show me this works" **Success:** Beginner finishes with working Doclea, understands what it does next --- ### Tier 2: Core Features (30 min - 2 hours) **Purpose:** Learning - use Doclea productively on real work **Pages:** - Memory Management (deep guide) - Git Tools (integration guide) - Expertise Mapping (reviewer suggestions) - Bootstrap (initialization guide) - Complete Workflows (real scenarios combining features) **User goal:** "How do I use this for my project?" **Success:** Developer uses Doclea daily, extracts real value --- ### Tier 3: Advanced (2+ hours as-needed) **Purpose:** Reference - customize, extend, deeply understand **Pages:** - API Reference (all tools documented) - Configuration (every option explained) - Development Setup (build/extend) - Architecture (how it works internally) - Troubleshooting (problem → solution) - FAQ (real user questions) **User goal:** "How do I get maximum value?" **Success:** Power user optimizes Doclea for specific needs --- ## Critical Success Factors ### 1. Tone: Confident and Practical - Assume developer competence - Be direct, not hedging - Respect time - Technical but accessible ### 2. Code: Complete and Runnable - Every example copy-pasteable - No "assume you have X" - Expected output shown - Explained after ### 3. Depth: Progressive Without Repetition - Quick Start (1 sentence) - Feature Guide (2-3 sentences) - Reference (exhaustive) - Same info, three levels ### 4. Examples: Every Tool and Feature - Input shown - Output shown - What it means explained - When you'd use it demonstrated ### 5. Workflows: Real Scenarios - Start state described - Each step with expected result - End state achieved - Why you'd do this explained --- ## How to Use This Strategy ### Phase 1: Understand (Day 1) 1. Read DOCUMENTATION_EXCELLENCE_SUMMARY.md 2. Skim DOCUMENTATION_STRATEGY.md (focus on sections relevant to your role) 3. Bookmark WRITING_CHECKLIST.md and VISUAL_STYLE_GUIDE.md **Time:** 1-2 hours ### Phase 2: Plan (Day 2) 1. Review CONTENT_ROADMAP.md 2. Identify which pages to write first 3. Estimate effort 4. Create timeline **Time:** 1-2 hours ### Phase 3: Create (Ongoing) 1. Pick a Tier 1 page from CONTENT_ROADMAP.md 2. Use template from DOCUMENTATION_STRATEGY.md 3. Refer to WRITING_CHECKLIST.md while writing 4. Check formatting against VISUAL_STYLE_GUIDE.md 5. Self-review and iterate **Time:** 3-5 hours per page (Tier 1) ### Phase 4: Review (Ongoing) 1. Check against WRITING_CHECKLIST.md 2. Verify examples work 3. Ensure tone matches DOCUMENTATION_EXCELLENCE_SUMMARY.md 4. Validate formatting per VISUAL_STYLE_GUIDE.md **Time:** 1-2 hours per page review --- ## Key Decisions Made in This Strategy ### Decision 1: Three Tiers Instead of One Long Guide **Why:** Different users need different depths. One document tries to be all things and confuses everyone. **Outcome:** Beginners feel respected (quick path), advanced users get complete reference (no hunting). --- ### Decision 2: Show Code First, Explain Second **Why:** Developers learn by doing. Explanation after example is more digestible. **Outcome:** Examples can be short (more are included), explanations stay focused. --- ### Decision 3: Real Workflows, Not Abstract Concepts **Why:** Abstract explanations are forgotten. Real scenarios stick. **Outcome:** Every feature documented with realistic scenario showing when you'd use it. --- ### Decision 4: Complete Examples, Not Snippets **Why:** Incomplete examples force readers to search externally. Every example must be copy-pasteable. **Outcome:** More pages, but each solves one problem completely. --- ### Decision 5: Consistent Naming Throughout **Why:** Different terms for same concept create confusion. **Outcome:** "memory" always means "memory" (not "note", "data", "fact"). Easier scanning. --- ## Common Questions Answered **Q: Isn't this too much documentation?** A: No, it's distributed across three tiers. A beginner reads only Tier 1 (very short). Others read deeper as needed. **Q: Who writes what?** A: Each feature owner writes the Tier 2 guide (they understand the feature best). Tier 1 is written after Tier 2 exists. **Q: How do we keep it current?** A: Test examples in CI. Link docs from code. Gather feedback from issues. Update per release. **Q: What if we disagree with this approach?** A: Use this as a starting point. The philosophy (progressive depth, real examples, complete code) is sound. The specific page structure can adapt to your needs. **Q: Isn't this a lot of work?** A: 50-70 hours is significant but reasonable over 8-12 weeks. The benefit is enormous—better onboarding, fewer support questions, happier users. --- ## Success Metrics ### Tier 1 Success - % completing "Get Started" without help (target: >85%) - Time to first memory stored (target: <15 minutes) - Users returning after first try (target: >70%) ### Tier 2 Success - Features most used vs documented (drives what's next) - Common workflows docs vs actual (identifies gaps) - Questions on documented features (indicates clarity issues) ### Tier 3 Success - Questions answerable from docs (target: >80%) - Time to find answers (target: <2 minutes) - User-reported clarity (qualitative feedback) ### Overall Health - Documentation freshness (within one release) - Broken links (should be zero) - Outdated examples (tested in CI) --- ## File Organization The documentation strategy is organized across these files: ``` /docs ├── DOCUMENTATION_INDEX.md ← You are here ├── DOCUMENTATION_EXCELLENCE_SUMMARY.md ├── DOCUMENTATION_STRATEGY.md ├── WRITING_CHECKLIST.md ├── VISUAL_STYLE_GUIDE.md ├── CONTENT_ROADMAP.md │ ├── /getting-started │ ├── quick-start.md [to be created] │ ├── memory-types.md [to be created] │ └── installation.md [to be created] │ ├── /features │ ├── memory-management.md [to be created] │ ├── git-tools.md [to be created] │ ├── expertise.md [to be created] │ ├── bootstrap.md [to be created] │ └── workflows.md [to be created] │ └── /reference ├── api.md [to be created] ├── configuration.md [to be created] ├── development.md [to be created] ├── architecture.md [to be created] ├── troubleshooting.md [to be created] └── faq.md [to be created] ``` --- ## Starting Points by Role ### I'm a Product Manager 1. Read: DOCUMENTATION_EXCELLENCE_SUMMARY.md 2. Look at: CONTENT_ROADMAP.md (effort estimation, timeline) 3. Share with: Your writing team 4. Track: Success metrics section --- ### I'm a Technical Writer 1. Read: DOCUMENTATION_EXCELLENCE_SUMMARY.md (philosophy) 2. Study: DOCUMENTATION_STRATEGY.md (detailed patterns) 3. Keep open: WRITING_CHECKLIST.md (while writing) 4. Reference: VISUAL_STYLE_GUIDE.md (for formatting) 5. Pick pages from: CONTENT_ROADMAP.md --- ### I'm a Developer Contributing Docs 1. Skim: DOCUMENTATION_EXCELLENCE_SUMMARY.md 2. Focus on: WRITING_CHECKLIST.md (quick reference) 3. Reference: VISUAL_STYLE_GUIDE.md (formatting) 4. Use template: From DOCUMENTATION_STRATEGY.md (real examples) --- ### I'm Managing This Project 1. Read: DOCUMENTATION_EXCELLENCE_SUMMARY.md 2. Understand: CONTENT_ROADMAP.md (timeline, effort) 3. Track: Success metrics section 4. Maintain: Testing examples, gathering feedback, updating per release --- ## Next Steps ### Immediate (This Week) - [ ] Decision-maker reads DOCUMENTATION_EXCELLENCE_SUMMARY.md - [ ] Review CONTENT_ROADMAP.md and confirm priorities - [ ] Identify first writer/owner - [ ] First writer reads all strategy documents ### Short Term (Weeks 1-3) - [ ] Create Tier 1 pages (Quick Start, Memory Types, Installation) - [ ] Optimize README.md - [ ] Get user feedback on Tier 1 - [ ] Iterate based on feedback ### Medium Term (Weeks 4-7) - [ ] Create Tier 2 pages (Feature guides) - [ ] Create "Complete Workflows" page - [ ] Gather real user scenarios for examples - [ ] Continue Tier 1 refinement ### Long Term (Weeks 8+) - [ ] Create Tier 3 pages (Reference, API, Troubleshooting) - [ ] Build FAQ from real user questions - [ ] Set up maintenance process - [ ] Document the documentation (meta!) --- ## Success Looks Like After implementing this strategy, you'll have: - **New users** getting Doclea working in 5 minutes without help - **Working developers** using Doclea daily, extracting real value - **Power users** customizing Doclea for their specific needs - **Maintainers** keeping docs fresh and accurate - **Support team** pointing to docs for 80%+ of questions - **Community** feeling welcomed and helped --- ## Final Thought This documentation strategy is about respect: - Respect beginners' time (get them working fast) - Respect working developers' intelligence (real scenarios, complete examples) - Respect advanced users' needs (comprehensive reference) - Respect your team's effort (clear patterns, checklists, real examples) - Respect your product's quality (docs that match excellence) Start with quick start pages. Build from there. Let feedback guide what's needed next. Good documentation is an investment in your users' success. --- ## Questions? - **Philosophy questions?** → See DOCUMENTATION_EXCELLENCE_SUMMARY.md - **Writing questions?** → See WRITING_CHECKLIST.md - **Formatting questions?** → See VISUAL_STYLE_GUIDE.md - **Content planning?** → See CONTENT_ROADMAP.md - **Detailed examples?** → See DOCUMENTATION_STRATEGY.md All strategy documents are in `/docs/` directory.