skills/olshansk/agent-skills/cmd-idiot-proof-docs

cmd-idiot-proof-docs

SKILL.md

Simple Docs for Humans and Agents

Use this command to write or rewrite documentation so it is simple, fast to scan, and easy to execute.

Primary Goal

  • Bias toward simple docs.
  • Start with the shortest successful path.
  • Preserve original meaning and factual content while reordering for clarity.

Required Output Order

  1. Quickstart (always first)
  2. Main workflow
  3. Configuration/reference tables (when relevant)
  4. Alternative paths (only when they are true user/code path alternatives)
  5. Extra details at the end inside <details><summary>...</summary>...</details>

Approval Gate (Required)

  • Before editing any file, show a change preview for approval.
  • Use this exact preview structure for each file:
    • Additions
    • Removals
    • Changes
  • Show the concrete text to be added, removed, or changed.
  • Wait for explicit user approval before applying edits.
  • Apply only the approved edits.
  • If approval is not granted, do not modify files.

Core Rules

  • Optimize for both human readers and agent readers.
  • Maximize copy-paste command snippets.
  • Prefer short sections and concise language.
  • Use Markdown tables when information is structured.
  • Use Mermaid diagrams when they improve understanding of flow or architecture.
  • Avoid unnecessary sections.
  • Avoid "Optional" sections unless they represent an actual alternate path.
  • Put superfluous/background material at the end.
  • Add "Code Structure" only when repository layout helps task completion.

Command Block Rules (Strict)

  • Do not place comments inside bash code blocks.
  • Put labels outside code blocks.

Correct pattern:

Start the server:

make start_server

Run a command:

make run_command

Incorrect pattern (separate steps combined in one unlabeled block):

make start_server
make run_command

Section Defaults

Use only sections that add value for the specific document. Default section set:

  • Quickstart
  • Main Workflow
  • Configuration
  • Code Structure (only if useful)
  • Troubleshooting (only for real recurring issues)

Configuration Table Format

If environment variables or configuration values are required, use this format:

Name Purpose Default
APP_ENV Runtime environment development
API_URL Base URL for API calls http://localhost:8000

Details Block Rule

Move long explanations, implementation notes, and low-priority reference material into details blocks:

<details>
<summary>Deep dive: request lifecycle</summary>

Detailed explanation here.

</details>

Deliverable

  • Return the final output as Markdown (.md).
  • Keep all important content, but simplify, reorder, and prioritize for quick execution.
Weekly Installs
11
GitHub Stars
5
First Seen
8 days ago
Installed on
opencode11
gemini-cli11
claude-code11
github-copilot11
codex11
kimi-cli11