write-guide

Writing Guides

Goal

Produce a technical guide that teaches a real-world use case through progressive examples. Concepts are introduced only when the reader needs them.

Each guide solves one specific problem. Not a category of problems. If the outline has 5+ steps or covers multiple approaches, split it.

Structure

Every guide follows this arc: introduction, example setup, 2-5 progressive steps, next steps.

Each step follows this loop: working code → new requirement → friction → explanation → resolution → observable proof.

Sections: introduction (no heading, 2 paragraphs max), ## Example (what we're building + source link), ### Step N (action-oriented titles, 2-4 steps), ## Next steps (summary + related links).

Headings should tell a story on their own. If readers only saw the headings, they'd understand the guide's takeaway.

Template

---
title: {Action-oriented, e.g., "Building X" or "How to Y"}
description: {One sentence}
nav_title: {Short title for navigation}
---

{What the reader will accomplish and why it matters. The friction and how this approach resolves it. 2 paragraphs max.}

## Example

As an example, we'll build {what we're building}.

We'll start with {step 1}, then {step 2}, and {step 3}.

{Source code link.}

### Step 1: {Action-oriented title}

{Brief context, 1-2 sentences.}

```tsx filename="path/to/file.tsx"
// Minimal working code
```

{Explain what happens.}

{Introduce friction: warning, limitation, or constraint.}

{Resolution: explain the choice, apply the fix.}

{Verify the fix with observable proof.}

### Step 2: {Action-oriented title}

{Same pattern: context → code → explain → friction → resolution → proof.}

### Step 3: {Action-oriented title}

{Same pattern.}

## Next steps

You now know how to {summary}.

Next, learn how to:

- [Related guide 1]()
- [Related guide 2]()

Workflow

1. Research: Check available skills for relevant features. Read existing docs for context and linking opportunities.
2. Plan: Outline sections. Verify scope (one problem, 2-4 steps). Each step needs a friction point and resolution.
3. Write: Follow the template above. Apply the rules below.
4. Review: Re-read the rules, verify, then present.