user_documentation.md•11.1 kB
# User Documentation Template
This template provides structures for creating consistent end-user documentation.
## Feature Guide Template
```markdown
# [Feature Name] Guide
## Overview
[Brief description of the feature and its purpose]

## Getting Started
### Prerequisites
- [Prerequisite 1]
- [Prerequisite 2]
### Accessing the Feature
1. Navigate to [location]
2. Click/Select [element]
3. [Additional steps as needed]
## Key Capabilities
### [Capability 1]
[Description of the capability]
**Steps to use:**
1. [Step 1]
2. [Step 2]
3. [Step 3]
**Pro tip:** [Optional tip for advanced usage]
### [Capability 2]
[Description of the capability]
**Steps to use:**
1. [Step 1]
2. [Step 2]
3. [Step 3]
**Pro tip:** [Optional tip for advanced usage]
## Common Tasks
### How to [Task 1]
1. [Step 1]
2. [Step 2]
3. [Step 3]
### How to [Task 2]
1. [Step 1]
2. [Step 2]
3. [Step 3]
## Advanced Usage
### [Advanced Topic 1]
[Detailed explanation]
### [Advanced Topic 2]
[Detailed explanation]
## Troubleshooting
### [Common Issue 1]
**Symptoms:**
- [Symptom 1]
- [Symptom 2]
**Solution:**
[Steps to resolve]
### [Common Issue 2]
**Symptoms:**
- [Symptom 1]
- [Symptom 2]
**Solution:**
[Steps to resolve]
## Related Features
- [Related Feature 1]: [Brief description and link]
- [Related Feature 2]: [Brief description and link]
## Additional Resources
- [Resource 1]: [Link]
- [Resource 2]: [Link]
```
## API Documentation Template
```markdown
# [API Name] Documentation
## Introduction
[Overview of the API, its purpose, and use cases]
## Authentication
[Authentication methods and requirements]
**Example:**
```
[Code example showing authentication]
```
## Base URL
```
[Base URL for all API endpoints]
```
## Endpoints
### [Endpoint 1]
**URL:** `[HTTP Method] [Endpoint path]`
**Description:** [What this endpoint does]
**Request Parameters:**
| Parameter | Type | Required | Description |
|-----------|------|----------|-------------|
| [param1] | [type] | [Yes/No] | [Description] |
| [param2] | [type] | [Yes/No] | [Description] |
**Example Request:**
```
[Example request code/curl]
```
**Example Response:**
```json
[Example JSON response]
```
**Response Codes:**
| Code | Description |
|------|-------------|
| 200 | [Description] |
| 400 | [Description] |
| 401 | [Description] |
| 404 | [Description] |
| 500 | [Description] |
### [Endpoint 2]
[Follow same format as above]
## Error Handling
[General information about error formats and handling]
**Example Error Response:**
```json
[Example error JSON]
```
## Rate Limits
[Information about rate limits and quotas]
## Webhooks
[If applicable, information about webhook integrations]
## SDKs and Client Libraries
[Information about official SDKs and libraries, if available]
## Examples
### [Example Use Case 1]
```
[Code example]
```
### [Example Use Case 2]
```
[Code example]
```
## Versioning
[Information about API versioning policy]
## Changelog
### [Version X.Y.Z] - [Date]
- [Change 1]
- [Change 2]
- [Change 3]
### [Version X.Y.Z] - [Date]
- [Change 1]
- [Change 2]
- [Change 3]
```
## Installation Guide Template
```markdown
# Installation Guide: [Product/Component Name]
## System Requirements
### Minimum Requirements
- **Operating System**: [Supported OS]
- **Processor**: [Min specs]
- **Memory**: [Min RAM]
- **Storage**: [Min space needed]
- **Dependencies**: [Required software/frameworks]
### Recommended Requirements
- **Operating System**: [Recommended OS]
- **Processor**: [Recommended specs]
- **Memory**: [Recommended RAM]
- **Storage**: [Recommended space]
## Pre-installation Checklist
- [ ] [Prerequisite 1]
- [ ] [Prerequisite 2]
- [ ] [Prerequisite 3]
## Installation Methods
### Method 1: [Standard Installation]
1. [Step 1]
2. [Step 2]
3. [Step 3]
### Method 2: [Alternative Installation]
1. [Step 1]
2. [Step 2]
3. [Step 3]
## Configuration
### Basic Configuration
1. [Step 1]
2. [Step 2]
3. [Step 3]
### Advanced Configuration
#### [Configuration Area 1]
[Instructions]
#### [Configuration Area 2]
[Instructions]
## Verification
### Verify Installation
1. [Step 1]
2. [Step 2]
3. [Step 3]
### Test Functionality
1. [Step 1]
2. [Step 2]
3. [Step 3]
## Troubleshooting
### [Common Problem 1]
**Symptoms:**
- [Symptom 1]
- [Symptom 2]
**Solutions:**
- [Solution 1]
- [Solution 2]
### [Common Problem 2]
**Symptoms:**
- [Symptom 1]
- [Symptom 2]
**Solutions:**
- [Solution 1]
- [Solution 2]
## Uninstallation
1. [Step 1]
2. [Step 2]
3. [Step 3]
## Upgrading
### From [Previous Version Range]
1. [Step 1]
2. [Step 2]
3. [Step 3]
### From [Older Version Range]
1. [Step 1]
2. [Step 2]
3. [Step 3]
## Additional Resources
- [Resource 1]: [Link]
- [Resource 2]: [Link]
- [Resource 3]: [Link]
```
## Troubleshooting Guide Template
```markdown
# Troubleshooting Guide: [Product/Component Name]
## Common Issues
### [Issue Category 1]
#### [Issue 1]
**Symptoms:**
- [Symptom 1]
- [Symptom 2]
**Possible Causes:**
- [Cause 1]
- [Cause 2]
**Steps to Resolve:**
1. [Step 1]
2. [Step 2]
3. [Step 3]
**Prevention:**
[How to prevent this issue in the future]
#### [Issue 2]
[Follow same format as above]
### [Issue Category 2]
[Follow same format as above]
## Error Messages
### [Error Message 1]
**Description:** [What this error means]
**Steps to Resolve:**
1. [Step 1]
2. [Step 2]
3. [Step 3]
### [Error Message 2]
[Follow same format as above]
## Diagnostics
### Log File Locations
- [Log 1]: [Path and description]
- [Log 2]: [Path and description]
### Diagnostic Tools
#### [Tool 1]
**Purpose:** [What the tool is used for]
**Usage:**
```
[Command or instructions]
```
**Interpreting Results:**
[Guidance on understanding the output]
#### [Tool 2]
[Follow same format as above]
## Performance Issues
### [Performance Problem 1]
**Symptoms:**
- [Symptom 1]
- [Symptom 2]
**Diagnostic Steps:**
1. [Step 1]
2. [Step 2]
**Solutions:**
- [Solution 1]
- [Solution 2]
### [Performance Problem 2]
[Follow same format as above]
## Recovery Procedures
### [Recovery Scenario 1]
1. [Step 1]
2. [Step 2]
3. [Step 3]
### [Recovery Scenario 2]
[Follow same format as above]
## Getting Support
- **Help Desk**: [Contact information and hours]
- **Knowledge Base**: [Link]
- **Community Forums**: [Link]
- **Support Tickets**: [Instructions and link]
## FAQ
### [Question 1]?
[Answer 1]
### [Question 2]?
[Answer 2]
```
## FAQ Template
```markdown
# Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
## General Questions
### [Question 1]?
[Detailed answer with any necessary steps, screenshots, or examples]
### [Question 2]?
[Detailed answer with any necessary steps, screenshots, or examples]
## Getting Started
### [Question 1]?
[Detailed answer with any necessary steps, screenshots, or examples]
### [Question 2]?
[Detailed answer with any necessary steps, screenshots, or examples]
## [Feature/Category 1]
### [Question 1]?
[Detailed answer with any necessary steps, screenshots, or examples]
### [Question 2]?
[Detailed answer with any necessary steps, screenshots, or examples]
## [Feature/Category 2]
### [Question 1]?
[Detailed answer with any necessary steps, screenshots, or examples]
### [Question 2]?
[Detailed answer with any necessary steps, screenshots, or examples]
## Troubleshooting
### [Question 1]?
[Detailed answer with any necessary steps, screenshots, or examples]
### [Question 2]?
[Detailed answer with any necessary steps, screenshots, or examples]
## Billing and Account
### [Question 1]?
[Detailed answer with any necessary steps, screenshots, or examples]
### [Question 2]?
[Detailed answer with any necessary steps, screenshots, or examples]
## Advanced Usage
### [Question 1]?
[Detailed answer with any necessary steps, screenshots, or examples]
### [Question 2]?
[Detailed answer with any necessary steps, screenshots, or examples]
```
## Release Notes Template
```markdown
# Release Notes: [Product Name] [Version]
**Release Date:** [Date]
## Overview
[Brief summary of the release, highlighting major features and improvements]
## New Features
### [Feature 1]
[Detailed description with screenshots if appropriate]
**Use Case:**
[Description of when and how to use this feature]
**How to Access:**
[Instructions for accessing the feature]
### [Feature 2]
[Follow same format as above]
## Improvements
### [Improvement 1]
[Description of the improvement and its benefits]
### [Improvement 2]
[Description of the improvement and its benefits]
## Bug Fixes
### [Bug Fix 1]
**Issue:** [Description of the problem]
**Resolution:** [How it was fixed]
### [Bug Fix 2]
[Follow same format as above]
## Deprecations and Removals
### [Deprecation 1]
**What:** [What is being deprecated]
**Why:** [Reason for deprecation]
**Alternative:** [Recommended alternatives]
**Timeline:** [When it will be removed completely]
### [Removal 1]
**What:** [What was removed]
**Why:** [Reason for removal]
**Alternative:** [Recommended alternatives]
## Known Issues
### [Issue 1]
**Description:** [Description of the issue]
**Workaround:** [Any temporary workarounds]
**Expected Resolution:** [When it will be fixed if known]
### [Issue 2]
[Follow same format as above]
## Security Updates
### [Security Update 1]
[Description of the security update, without revealing exploitable details]
### [Security Update 2]
[Follow same format as above]
## Upgrade Instructions
[Detailed instructions for upgrading from previous versions]
## Compatibility
### Required Updates
- [Dependency 1]: [Version requirement]
- [Dependency 2]: [Version requirement]
### Platform Support
- [Platform 1]: [Support status]
- [Platform 2]: [Support status]
## Additional Resources
- [Documentation]: [Link]
- [Video Tutorial]: [Link]
- [Webinar]: [Link]
- [Support]: [Link]
```
## Documentation Style Guidelines
### Voice and Tone
- Use active voice rather than passive voice
- Write in a conversational, friendly tone
- Be concise and direct
- Use present tense when possible
- Address the user directly with "you" rather than "the user"
### Formatting Standards
- Use Markdown for consistent formatting
- Apply consistent heading levels (H1 for title, H2 for major sections, etc.)
- Use bulleted lists for unordered items
- Use numbered lists for sequential steps
- Use code blocks with appropriate language syntax highlighting
- Include alt text for all images
### Content Organization
- Start with an overview/introduction
- Organize content from basic to advanced
- Group related information together
- Use clear, descriptive headings
- Include a table of contents for longer documents
- End with links to related resources
### Writing Tips
- Focus on the user's needs and goals
- Explain why, not just how
- Use simple, clear language and avoid jargon
- Define technical terms when first used
- Use consistent terminology throughout
- Include examples where appropriate
- Verify all steps and instructions
- Keep screenshots current and highlight relevant areas