documentation-patterns

v2026.09.24

Technical documentation patterns for READMEs, ADRs, API docs (OpenAPI 3.1), changelogs, and writing style guides. Use when creating project documentation, writing architecture decisions, documenting APIs, or maintaining changelogs.

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npx skhub add yonatangross/documentation-patterns
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SKILL.md

Documentation Patterns

Templates and opinionated structures for technical documentation -- READMEs, Architecture Decision Records, OpenAPI specs, changelogs, and writing style. Each category has individual rule files in rules/ loaded on-demand.

Quick Reference

CategoryRuleImpactWhen to Use
README1HIGHStarting a project, onboarding contributors
ADR1HIGHRecording architecture decisions
API Docs1HIGHDocumenting REST APIs with OpenAPI 3.1
Changelog1MEDIUMMaintaining release history
Writing Style1MEDIUMAny technical writing task

Total: 5 rules across 5 categories

Quick Start

## README Skeleton
# Project Name
Brief description -> Quick Start -> Installation -> Usage -> API -> Config -> Contributing -> License

## ADR Format
# ADR-001: Title
Status -> Context -> Decision -> Consequences (positive/negative) -> References

## OpenAPI Minimum
openapi: 3.1.0 with info, paths, components/schemas, error responses

## Changelog Entry
## [1.2.0] - 2026-03-05
### Added / Changed / Deprecated / Removed / Fixed / Security

## Writing Rule of Thumb
Active voice, present tense, second person, one idea per sentence

README

Complete README template with all essential sections for open-source and internal projects.

  • docs-readme-structure -- Project name, quick start, installation, usage, API reference, configuration, contributing, license

Architecture Decision Records

Structured format for capturing architectural decisions with context and consequences.

  • docs-adr-template -- Status, context, decision, consequences (positive/negative), references

API Documentation

OpenAPI 3.1 specification patterns for consistent, machine-readable API docs.

  • docs-api-openapi -- Path structure, operation definitions, schema components, error responses (RFC 9457)

Changelog

Keep a Changelog format for curated, human-readable release history.

  • docs-changelog-format -- Added, Changed, Deprecated, Removed, Fixed, Security sections with semver

Writing Style

Technical writing conventions for clear, scannable documentation.

  • docs-writing-style -- Active voice, present tense, concise sentences, API doc checklist

Related Skills

  • ork:api-design -- API design patterns (complements OpenAPI documentation)
  • ork:architecture-decision-record -- ADR workflow and lifecycle
  • ork:release-management -- Release process including changelog updates

Version: 1.0.0 (March 2026)

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Version

v2026.09.24

Published

Sep 24, 2026

Category

Uncategorized

License

MIT

Source path

src/skills/documentation-patterns

Default branch

main

Latest commit

43c04fa

Tree SHA

29981ce