|
| 1 | +# Documentation Maintenance Strategy |
| 2 | + |
| 3 | +**Last Updated:** January 6, 2026 |
| 4 | + |
| 5 | +--- |
| 6 | + |
| 7 | +## Purpose |
| 8 | + |
| 9 | +This document outlines the strategy for maintaining accurate, up-to-date documentation in the AI Coding Stack project. |
| 10 | + |
| 11 | +--- |
| 12 | + |
| 13 | +## Documentation Principles |
| 14 | + |
| 15 | +### 1. Single Source of Truth |
| 16 | + |
| 17 | +- **Code is the source of truth** - Documentation should reflect what the code actually does |
| 18 | +- When code changes, documentation must be updated |
| 19 | +- Use code examples that can be tested/verified |
| 20 | + |
| 21 | +### 2. DRY (Don't Repeat Yourself) |
| 22 | + |
| 23 | +- Avoid duplicating information across multiple documents |
| 24 | +- Use cross-references instead of rewriting content |
| 25 | +- Each document should have a clear, single purpose |
| 26 | + |
| 27 | +### 3. Document Why, Not Just What |
| 28 | + |
| 29 | +- Explain design decisions and trade-offs |
| 30 | +- Include context for architectural choices |
| 31 | +- Document edge cases and gotchas |
| 32 | + |
| 33 | +### 4. Version Control |
| 34 | + |
| 35 | +- All changes to docs/ should follow the same review process as code |
| 36 | +- Use descriptive commit messages for documentation updates |
| 37 | +- Include the document name in commit messages: `docs(specs.md): update manifest types table` |
| 38 | + |
| 39 | +--- |
| 40 | + |
| 41 | +## Document Ownership |
| 42 | + |
| 43 | +Each document has clear ownership and update triggers: |
| 44 | + |
| 45 | +| Document | Owner Type | Update Triggers | Review Frequency | |
| 46 | +|----------|------------|-----------------|------------------| |
| 47 | +| `ORIGINAL-SPECS.md` | Core team | Project scope changes, new manifest types | Never | |
| 48 | +| `COMPONENT-RELATIONSHIP-DIAGRAM.md` | Core team | Architectural changes, new systems | Monthly | |
| 49 | +| `SCHEMA-ARCHITECTURE.md` | Metadata lead | Schema system changes | As needed | |
| 50 | +| `METADATA_OPTIMIZATION.md` | Metadata lead | SEO/metadata system changes | As needed | |
| 51 | +| `SEO-AUDIT-REPORT.md` | SEO lead | Quarterly SEO audit | Quarterly | |
| 52 | +| `MANIFEST_I18N.md` | i18n lead | Translation system changes | As needed | |
| 53 | +| `PERFORMANCE.md` | Performance lead | Performance guidelines changes | As needed | |
| 54 | +| `GITHUB_SETUP_MANUAL_STEPS.md` | DevOps lead | CI/CD workflow changes | As needed | |
| 55 | +| `FETCH_GITHUB_STARS.md` | DevOps lead | External fetching system changes | As needed | |
| 56 | + |
| 57 | +--- |
| 58 | + |
| 59 | +## Update Process |
| 60 | + |
| 61 | +### 1. Pre-Update Checklist |
| 62 | + |
| 63 | +Before updating documentation: |
| 64 | + |
| 65 | +- [ ] Verify the code change is complete |
| 66 | +- [ ] Test the code examples (if any) |
| 67 | +- [ ] Check if other docs reference this content |
| 68 | +- [ ] Plan the update purpose (clarification, correction, addition) |
| 69 | + |
| 70 | +### 2. Making Updates |
| 71 | + |
| 72 | +Follow these guidelines: |
| 73 | + |
| 74 | +```bash |
| 75 | +# Use conventional commits for documentation |
| 76 | +git add docs/COMPONENT-RELATIONSHIP-DIAGRAM.md |
| 77 | +git commit -m "docs(COMPONENT-RELATIONSHIP-DIAGRAM.md): add Deployment flow section" |
| 78 | +``` |
| 79 | + |
| 80 | +**Commit Types:** |
| 81 | +- `docs(filename):` - Documentation only changes |
| 82 | +- `chore(filename):` - Documentation maintenance updates |
| 83 | +- `feat(filename):` - New documentation sections |
| 84 | +- `fix(filename):` - Documentation corrections |
| 85 | + |
| 86 | +### 3. Post-Update Checklist |
| 87 | + |
| 88 | +After updating documentation: |
| 89 | + |
| 90 | +- [ ] Update the "Last Updated" date |
| 91 | +- [ ] Update version number (if applicable) |
| 92 | +- [ ] Verify cross-references are still valid |
| 93 | +- [ ] Check for broken links |
| 94 | +- [ ] Request a review from the document owner |
| 95 | + |
| 96 | +--- |
| 97 | + |
| 98 | +## Review Schedule |
| 99 | + |
| 100 | +### Monthly Checks |
| 101 | + |
| 102 | +- [ ] Verify `COMPONENT-RELATIONSHIP-DIAGRAM.md` against current codebase structure |
| 103 | +- [ ] Check all "Last Updated" dates - flag documents >6 months old |
| 104 | +- [ ] Review recent code changes for documentation needs |
| 105 | + |
| 106 | +### Quarterly Reviews |
| 107 | + |
| 108 | +- [ ] Complete SEO audit updates in `SEO-AUDIT-REPORT.md` |
| 109 | +- [ ] Review `specs.md` for project scope changes |
| 110 | +- [ ] Verify all documentation links are working |
| 111 | +- [ ] Update version references (Next.js, React, etc.) |
| 112 | + |
| 113 | +### As-Needed Updates |
| 114 | + |
| 115 | +All other documents are updated as changes occur in their respective domains. |
| 116 | + |
| 117 | +--- |
| 118 | + |
| 119 | +## Automation Opportunities |
| 120 | + |
| 121 | +### 1. CI Checks |
| 122 | + |
| 123 | +Potential automated checks: |
| 124 | + |
| 125 | +- [ ] Markdown linting (markdownlint) |
| 126 | +- [ ] Link checker for all docs/ |
| 127 | +- [ ] Spelling check on documentation files |
| 128 | +- [ ] Code block syntax validation |
| 129 | + |
| 130 | +### 2. Generated Documentation |
| 131 | + |
| 132 | +Currently generated: |
| 133 | + |
| 134 | +- [x] `src/lib/generated/*.ts` - Typed manifest imports |
| 135 | +- [ ] Consider: Auto-generating API docs from TypeScript types |
| 136 | + |
| 137 | +### 3. Documentation Coverage Tracking |
| 138 | + |
| 139 | +Potential metrics to track: |
| 140 | + |
| 141 | +- Number of files with "Last Updated" > 6 months |
| 142 | +- Code changes without corresponding documentation updates |
| 143 | +- Broken links in documentation |
| 144 | + |
| 145 | +--- |
| 146 | + |
| 147 | +## Documentation Template |
| 148 | + |
| 149 | +All new documentation files should follow this structure: |
| 150 | + |
| 151 | +```markdown |
| 152 | +# Document Title |
| 153 | + |
| 154 | +**Last Updated:** YYYY-MM-DD |
| 155 | +**Owner:** [Team member or role] |
| 156 | +**Version:** x.y |
| 157 | + |
| 158 | +--- |
| 159 | + |
| 160 | +## Purpose |
| 161 | + |
| 162 | +Brief description of what this document covers and who should read it. |
| 163 | + |
| 164 | +--- |
| 165 | + |
| 166 | +## Overview |
| 167 | + |
| 168 | +High-level introduction to the topic. |
| 169 | + |
| 170 | +--- |
| 171 | + |
| 172 | +## [Sections...] |
| 173 | + |
| 174 | +Organized content with clear headings and subheadings. |
| 175 | + |
| 176 | +Use code blocks for examples: |
| 177 | + |
| 178 | +```typescript |
| 179 | +// Example code |
| 180 | +``` |
| 181 | + |
| 182 | +Use tables for structured data: |
| 183 | + |
| 184 | +| Column 1 | Column 2 | |
| 185 | +|----------|----------| |
| 186 | +| Value A | Value B | |
| 187 | + |
| 188 | +--- |
| 189 | + |
| 190 | +## Related Files |
| 191 | + |
| 192 | +| File | Purpose | |
| 193 | +|------|---------| |
| 194 | +| `path/to/file` | Description | |
| 195 | + |
| 196 | +--- |
| 197 | + |
| 198 | +## Related Documentation |
| 199 | + |
| 200 | +- `[Link](./other-doc.md)` - Brief description |
| 201 | + |
| 202 | +--- |
| 203 | + |
| 204 | +**Version:** x.y |
| 205 | +**Last Updated:** YYYY-MM-DD |
| 206 | +``` |
| 207 | + |
| 208 | +--- |
| 209 | + |
| 210 | +## Deprecated Documentation |
| 211 | + |
| 212 | +When a document becomes obsolete: |
| 213 | + |
| 214 | +1. Add a DEPRECATED notice at the top: |
| 215 | + |
| 216 | +```markdown |
| 217 | +> **DEPRECATED:** This document is no longer maintained. |
| 218 | +> Please see [NEW_DOCUMENT.md](./NEW_DOCUMENT.md) for current information. |
| 219 | +``` |
| 220 | + |
| 221 | +2. Update cross-references to point to the new document |
| 222 | + |
| 223 | +3. After 3 months, remove the deprecated document |
| 224 | + |
| 225 | +--- |
| 226 | + |
| 227 | +## Contribute Guidelines |
| 228 | + |
| 229 | +### Adding New Documentation |
| 230 | + |
| 231 | +1. Check if similar documentation exists |
| 232 | +2. Choose an appropriate filename |
| 233 | +3. Follow the documentation template |
| 234 | +4. Add to the documentation index (if applicable) |
| 235 | +5. Submit as a PR with the `documentation` label |
| 236 | + |
| 237 | +### Updating Existing Documentation |
| 238 | + |
| 239 | +1. Read the entire document first |
| 240 | +2. Preserve the structure and style |
| 241 | +3. Update the "Last Updated" date |
| 242 | +4. Increment version number if the change is significant |
| 243 | +5. Submit as a PR with the `documentation` label |
| 244 | + |
| 245 | +--- |
| 246 | + |
| 247 | +## Troubleshooting |
| 248 | + |
| 249 | +### Documentation Discrepancies |
| 250 | + |
| 251 | +If you find documentation that doesn't match the code: |
| 252 | + |
| 253 | +1. Check the git blame for the last update |
| 254 | +2. Create an issue labeled `documentation-outdated` |
| 255 | +3. Tag the document owner |
| 256 | +4. Include the specific discrepancy |
| 257 | + |
| 258 | +### Missing Documentation |
| 259 | + |
| 260 | +If you can't find information you need: |
| 261 | + |
| 262 | +1. Check the documentation map in `specs.md` |
| 263 | +2. Search in the codebase for comments |
| 264 | +3. Create an issue labeled `documentation-need` |
| 265 | + |
| 266 | +--- |
| 267 | + |
| 268 | +## Metrics & KPIs |
| 269 | + |
| 270 | +Track the following to ensure documentation quality: |
| 271 | + |
| 272 | +| Metric | Target | Frequency | |
| 273 | +|--------|--------|-----------| |
| 274 | +| Docs updated in last 6 months | >90% | Monthly | |
| 275 | +| Broken links in docs/ | 0 | Quarterly | |
| 276 | +| docs/ coverage for major features | 100% | Per release | |
| 277 | +| Documentation review time | <3 days | Per PR | |
| 278 | + |
| 279 | +--- |
| 280 | + |
| 281 | +## Continuous Improvement |
| 282 | + |
| 283 | +### Documentation Retrospectives |
| 284 | + |
| 285 | +Quarterly reviews should include: |
| 286 | + |
| 287 | +- What documentation updates were needed? |
| 288 | +- What was difficult to document? |
| 289 | +- What documentation was most helpful? |
| 290 | +- What can be improved? |
| 291 | + |
| 292 | +### Documentation Debt Tracking |
| 293 | + |
| 294 | +Create issues for: |
| 295 | + |
| 296 | +- Outdated documentation (`documentation-outdated`) |
| 297 | +- Missing documentation (`documentation-need`) |
| 298 | +- Documentation improvements (`documentation-improvement`) |
| 299 | + |
| 300 | +--- |
| 301 | + |
| 302 | +**Version:** 1.0 |
| 303 | +**Last Updated:** January 6, 2026 |
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