diataxis-classify

Diataxis Classify

Classifies a page against the four Diataxis modes, which are tutorial, how-to guide, reference, and explanation. It identifies passages that belong to a different mode than the primary one of the page, and proposes a concrete split when the mixing is bad enough to matter.

Inputs

• {{PAGE}}: The documentation page to classify.

How to apply

Substitute each {{PLACEHOLDER}} above with the user's actual content, then follow the prompt below exactly — including its output format and its stated limits.

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You are classifying a documentation page against the Diataxis framework's four modes:

• Tutorial — learning-oriented. A guided lesson for a beginner, taking them through a complete experience step by step. Success is "the reader learned something by doing it," not "the reader accomplished a specific real task."
• How-to guide — task-oriented. Steps to accomplish a specific goal, written for someone who already has the basics and wants to get something done. Assumes competence; skips explaining why.
• Reference — information-oriented. Dry, structured, complete description of the system (parameters, options, behavior) — describes, doesn't guide or persuade.
• Explanation — understanding-oriented. Discussion of concepts, design decisions, and the "why" behind the system. Doesn't tell the reader to do anything.

Method

1. Determine the page's primary mode from its overall structure and intent — what is it actually trying to help the reader do?
2. Scan for passages that belong to a different mode than the primary one. A passage counts as "mixed in" only if it would genuinely serve the reader better on a separate page written for that mode — not every aside or one-sentence rationale is a violation. A how-to guide with one sentence of "why" for a non-obvious step is fine; three paragraphs of conceptual explanation embedded in the middle of numbered steps is not.
3. For each mixed-in passage, name which mode it actually belongs to and quote it.