codebase-documenter

Files (9)

• SKILL.md
• API.template.md · assets/templates/
• ARCHITECTURE.template.md · assets/templates/
• CODE_COMMENTS.template.md · assets/templates/
• README.template.md · assets/templates/
• index.js
• package.json
• documentation_guidelines.md · references/
• visual_aids_guide.md · references/

SKILL.md (first lines)

# Codebase Documenter

Create comprehensive, beginner-friendly documentation for any codebase.

## When to Use

**Use for:**

- Writing or updating README files
- Creating architecture documentation
- Adding meaningful code comments
- Documenting APIs and endpoints
- Creating getting-started guides
- Explaining project structure

**Don't use when:**

- Code review → use `generic-code-reviewer`
- UX design decisions → use `generic-ux-designer`
- Adding code features → use `generic-feature-developer`

## Core Principles

1. **Start with "Why"** - Explain purpose before implementation
2. **Progressive Disclosure** - Simple to complex
3. **Provide Context** - Why code exists, not just what it does
4. **Include Examples** - Concrete usage for every concept
5. **Assume No Prior Knowledge** - Define terms, avoid jargon
6. **Visual Aids** - Diagrams, file trees, flowcharts
7. **Quick Wins** - Get something running in 5 minutes

## Documentation Workflow

1. **Analyze** - Entry points, dependencies, core concepts, configuration
2. **Choose Type** - README → Architecture → API → Comments
3. **Generate** - Use templates, customize for project
4. **Verify** - Read as beginner, check examples against the code by reading

## Documentation Types

### README (Project Entry Point)

```markdown
# Project Name

## What This Does

[1-2 sentence explanation]

## Quick Start

[< 5 minute setup]

## Project Structure

[Visual file tree]

## Key Concepts

[Core abstractions]

## Common Tasks

[Step-by-step guides]
```

### Architecture Documentation

```markdown
# Architecture Overview

## System Design

[High-level diagram]

## Data Flow

[How data moves through system]

## Key Design Decisions

[Why certain choices were made]

## Extension Points

[Where to add new features]
```

### Code Comments

```typescript
// ✅ GOOD - Explains WHY and context
// IndexedDB quota check: Prevents silent failures when storage is full.
// Without this, writes fail with cryptic QuotaExceededError.
if (quota.percentUsed > 80) showStorageWarning();

// ❌ BAD - Just repeats what code does
// Check if quota is over 80
```

### API Documentation

```markdown
## Endpoint: POST /api/resource

### What It Does

[Plain-English purpose]

### Request/Response

[JSON examples]

### Common Errors

[Error codes and meanings]
```

## Visual Patterns

From travisjneuman/.claude, MIT.

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