Documentation Standards & Templates
- 📋 Documentation Standards
  - Writing Style
  - Formatting Conventions
Always specify the language
Include comments for complex configurations
- 📚 Document Templates
  - API Documentation Template
[API Name] API
[Workflow Name]
Example command
- Validation
Verification command
- Troubleshooting
- Related Workflows
  - Guide Documentation Template
[Guide Topic]

Documentation Standards & Templates

This guide provides standards, templates, and best practices for contributing to the Blueberry IDP documentation.

📋 Documentation Standards

Writing Style

Voice and Tone
- Use clear, concise language
- Write in active voice
- Use second person ("you") for instructions
- Maintain a helpful, professional tone
- Avoid jargon without explanation

Structure
- Use descriptive headings (H1-H6)
- Break up long sections with subheadings
- Use bullet points and numbered lists
- Include code examples where relevant
- Add cross-references to related documents

Technical Writing
- Define acronyms on first use
- Use consistent terminology
- Include prerequisites and assumptions
- Provide context for commands and code
- Test all examples before publishing

Formatting Conventions

Markdown Standards
- Use # for headings (not === or ---)
- Use backticks for inline code
- Use triple backticks for code blocks
- Use **bold** for emphasis
- Use *italic* for light emphasis

Code Blocks

```bash
# Always specify the language
kubectl get pods -n blueberry

# Include comments for complex configurations
apiVersion: v1
kind: ConfigMap
metadata:
  name: app-config

Links
- Use descriptive link text: Environment API
- Not: Click here
- Use relative paths for internal links
- Include external link indicators where helpful

Images and Diagrams
- Use descriptive alt text
- Keep images under 1MB
- Use SVG for diagrams when possible and allow user to zoom in
- Include source files for complex diagrams

📚 Document Templates

API Documentation Template

# [API Name] API

Brief description of the API's purpose and functionality.

## Overview

- What the API does
- Key features
- Use cases

## Authentication

Authentication requirements and examples.

## Endpoints

### [Endpoint Name]

Brief description of what this endpoint does.

```http
METHOD /api/path

Request

Parameters
| Parameter | Type | Required | Description |
|-----------|------|----------|-------------|
| param1 | string | Yes | Parameter description |

Example Request

curl -X POST "https://api.example.com/endpoint" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer <token>" \
  -d '{"key": "value"}'

Response

Success (200)

{
  "status": "success",
  "data": {}
}

Error (400)

{
  "error": "Error description"
}

Examples

Practical examples showing common usage patterns.

Last Updated: [Date]


### Workflow Documentation Template

```markdown
# [Workflow Name]

Brief description of the workflow and when to use it.

## Overview

- What this workflow accomplishes
- When to use it
- Who should perform it

## Prerequisites

- Required access/permissions
- Tools needed
- Environmental requirements

## Steps

### Step 1: [Step Name]

Detailed instructions for the step.

```bash
# Example command
command --option value

Expected Output:

Expected command output

Step 2: [Step Name]

Continue with additional steps...

Validation

How to verify the workflow completed successfully.

# Verification command
kubectl get pods -n namespace

Troubleshooting

Common issues and their solutions.

Issue	Cause	Solution
Error message	Why it happens	How to fix

Last Updated: [Date]


### Guide Documentation Template

```markdown
# [Guide Topic]

Brief description of the guide's purpose and scope.

## Overview

- What this guide covers
- Who should read it
- Prerequisites

## Key Concepts

### Concept 1

Explanation of important concept.

### Concept 2

Explanation of another concept.

## Implementation

### Basic Setup

Step-by-step instructions for basic implementation.

### Advanced Configuration

More complex scenarios and configurations.

## Best Practices

- Recommendation 1
- Recommendation 2
- Recommendation 3

## Common Patterns

### Pattern 1

Description and example of common usage pattern.

### Pattern 2

Description and example of another pattern.

## Troubleshooting

Common issues and solutions.

## Related Documentation

- [Related Guide 1](/developer-docs/docs/development/contributing/related1)
- [Related Workflow](/developer-docs/docs/development/workflows/related)

---

**Last Updated**: [Date]

📝 Content Guidelines

Technical Accuracy

Verification Requirements
- Test all commands and code examples
- Verify links work correctly
- Check version compatibility
- Validate against current implementation

Review Process
1. Author self-review
2. Peer technical review
3. Documentation team review
4. Final approval

Maintenance

Update Triggers
- Code changes affecting documented features
- New feature releases
- Bug fixes that change behavior
- User feedback indicating confusion

Review Schedule
- Monthly: Review high-traffic pages
- Quarterly: Full documentation audit
- Annually: Major restructuring review

🎨 Visual Standards

Screenshots

Requirements
- Use consistent browser/theme
- Highlight relevant UI elements
- Include relevant context
- Keep current with UI changes

Guidelines
- Crop to relevant content
- Use callouts for important elements
- Maintain consistent sizing
- Include alt text for accessibility

Diagrams

Tools
- Architecture Diagrams: Draw.io or Lucidchart
- Sequence Diagrams: PlantUML or Mermaid
- Network Diagrams: Draw.io
- Flow Charts: Mermaid

Standards
- Use consistent color schemes
- Include legends where needed
- Export as SVG when possible
- Include source files in repository

📐 File Organization

Directory Structure

docs/
├── README.md                    # Main documentation index
├── architecture/                # System architecture
│   ├── README.md
│   ├── overview/
│   ├── components/
│   └── decisions/
├── setup/                      # Installation guides
├── workflows/                  # Step-by-step procedures
├── reference/                  # Technical reference
├── guides/                     # Conceptual guides
└── development/               # Contributing guidelines

Naming Conventions

Files
- Use lowercase with hyphens: environment-creation.md
- Use descriptive names: api-authentication.md
- Avoid abbreviations: troubleshooting.md not trouble.md

Directories
- Use lowercase with hyphens
- Use plural nouns: environments/ not environment/
- Group related content logically

🔍 Quality Checklist

Before Publishing

Content Quality
- [ ] Clear, concise writing
- [ ] Proper grammar and spelling
- [ ] Consistent terminology
- [ ] Logical flow and structure
- [ ] Appropriate level of detail

Technical Accuracy
- [ ] All commands tested
- [ ] Links verified
- [ ] Code examples work
- [ ] Version compatibility checked
- [ ] Screenshots current

Formatting
- [ ] Consistent markdown formatting
- [ ] Proper heading hierarchy
- [ ] Code blocks have language specified
- [ ] Tables properly formatted
- [ ] Images have alt text

Navigation
- [ ] Links to related documentation
- [ ] Clear section organization
- [ ] Table of contents for long documents
- [ ] Breadcrumb navigation where needed

🚀 Publication Workflow

1. Planning

Identify documentation needs
Define target audience
Outline content structure
Assign ownership

2. Writing

Follow templates and standards
Include examples and code
Add relevant screenshots
Cross-reference related docs

3. Review

Self-review for clarity
Technical review for accuracy
Editorial review for style
Final approval

4. Publishing

Commit to documentation branch
Create pull request
Review and merge
Update any related documentation

5. Maintenance

Monitor for feedback
Update as needed
Regular review schedule
Archive outdated content

📊 Documentation Metrics

Success Metrics

User feedback scores
Documentation usage analytics
Time-to-complete workflows
Support ticket reduction

Quality Metrics

Link health (broken links)
Content freshness (last updated)
Completeness (missing sections)
Consistency (style adherence)

🛠️ Tools and Resources

Writing Tools

Markdown Editor: VS Code with Markdown extensions
Grammar Check: Grammarly or similar
Link Checker: markdown-link-check
Spell Check: cSpell

Documentation Tools

Static Site Generator: GitBook or MkDocs
API Documentation: Swagger/OpenAPI
Diagram Creation: Draw.io, Mermaid
Screenshot Tools: CloudApp, Snagit

Collaboration Tools

Review Process: GitHub Pull Requests
Issue Tracking: GitHub Issues
Team Communication: Slack #documentation channel
Planning: Project boards

📚 Resources

Style Guides

Training

Technical writing courses
Markdown tutorials
Documentation tools training
User experience principles

Document Version: 1.0
Last Updated: January 2024
Next Review: April 2024

Document ID: development/contributing/documentation-standards

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