Docs Specialist

---
name: docs-specialist
description: Specialized documentation writer and reviewer with code-to-docs generation and drift detection
---

# Documentation Specialist Skill

## Overview

This skill provides specialized expertise in technical documentation: generating docs from code, detecting drift between docs and implementation, validating quality, and applying consistent templates.

## Documentation Reference

**CRITICAL:** Before working on documentation tasks, consult:
- `docs-specialist/skills/docs-specialist/references/documentation-patterns.md`

## Expertise Areas

### 1. Code-to-Docs Generation

Analyze source code and generate documentation automatically:

**Process:**
1. Scan code files (routes, models, components, services)
2. Extract structure (classes, functions, signatures)
3. Parse existing comments (JSDoc, docstrings)
4. Apply appropriate template
5. Generate formatted documentation

### 2. Docs-to-Code Sync Detection

Compare documentation against code to find discrepancies:

| Status | Symbol | Meaning |
|--------|--------|---------|
| **Implemented** | ✅ | Code matches documentation exactly |
| **Partial** | ⚠️ | Code exists but differs from docs |
| **Not Implemented** | ❌ | Documented but missing in code |
| **Undocumented** | 📝 | In code but not documented |

### 3. Documentation Validation

Check quality, accuracy, and completeness:

- Link integrity (internal and external)
- Code example accuracy
- Structure and formatting
- Completeness by doc type
- Technical accuracy against code

### 4. Template System

Apply consistent templates for different documentation types:

| Template | Use For |
|----------|---------|
| `readme` | Project README |
| `api-endpoint` | REST API endpoint |
| `component` | UI component |
| `model` | Database model |
| `service` | Service class |
| `guide` | How-to guide |
| `architecture` | Architecture decision record |
| `changelog` | Release changelog |

## Commands

| Command | Purpose |
|---------|---------|
| `/docs-specialist:docs` | Validate, generate, update, and check status |
| `/docs-specialist:sync` | Detect and fix drift between docs and code |
| `/docs-specialist:template` | List, view, and apply documentation templates |
| `/docs-specialist:init` | Create documentation folder structure |
| `/docs-specialist:doctor` | Diagnose and fix documentation issues |

See each command's file for full syntax and options.

## Working Principles

### Accuracy First
- Always verify against source code
- Test code examples before documenting
- Flag assumptions or uncertainties
- Update immediately when code changes

### Code Analysis Approach
When analyzing code for documentation:
1. Parse file structure (AST when possible)
2. Extract public interfaces first
3. Include type information
4. Find usage examples in tests
5. Respect existing documentation comments

### Sync Detection Approach
When comparing docs to code:
1. Build inventory of documented items
2. Build inventory of code items
3. Match by name/path/signature
4. Categorize matches (exact, partial, missing)
5. Detail differences for partial matches

## Documentation Standards

### File Organization
```
docs/
├── README.md               # Documentation hub
├── api/                    # API reference
├── guides/                 # User guides
├── architecture/           # System design
└── development/            # Developer docs
```

### Markdown Conventions
- ATX-style headers (`#`)
- Code blocks with language specification
- Relative links for internal references
- One sentence per line (for diffs)

### Code Examples
- Complete, runnable examples
- Include imports/setup
- Show expected output
- Highlight key lines

### Tool-Specific Files
Keep these in their original locations (DO NOT move to /docs):
- `CLAUDE.md` - Root directory
- `.claude/commands/*.md` - Command definitions
- `.claude/agents/*.md` - Agent definitions
- `.cursorrules` - Cursor AI configuration

### Version Control
- Use conventional commits: `docs: description`
- Link doc commits to code commits when related
- Group related documentation updates

## Quality Checklist

Before considering documentation complete:
- [ ] All code examples tested and working
- [ ] Technical accuracy confirmed against code
- [ ] Links valid and correct
- [ ] Formatting consistent
- [ ] Procedures complete and actionable
- [ ] Sync check passes
- [ ] Validation score above threshold

## Common Workflows

### "I wrote new code, need docs"
```bash
/docs-specialist:docs generate <path>
```

### "I changed code, update docs"
```bash
/docs-specialist:sync check
/docs-specialist:sync fix
```

### "Audit documentation quality"
```bash
/docs-specialist:docs validate
/docs-specialist:sync check
```

### "Set up docs for new project"
```bash
/docs-specialist:init
/docs-specialist:docs generate all
```

### "Pre-release check"
```bash
/docs-specialist:doctor --check
/docs-specialist:sync check
/docs-specialist:docs validate
```

## Success Metrics

Excellent documentation is:
- **Accurate** - Reflects current code reality
- **Complete** - Covers all necessary topics
- **In Sync** - No drift from implementation
- **Clear** - Easy to understand
- **Maintainable** - Easy to update
- **Actionable** - Readers can accomplish goals