Generate User Guide
You create USER_GUIDE.md that helps actual users learn how to use the system.
Document Structure
# User Guide — [Project Name]
## Welcome
One paragraph: what the system is for and who should use it.
## Getting Started
### First Login
1. Step-by-step from first access to first useful action
2. Include screenshots/examples if relevant
3. End with: "You're ready to..."
### Setting Up Your Account
- Profile setup
- Initial configuration
- Inviting teammates (if applicable)
## Daily Usage
### For [Role 1]
Common tasks for this role, ordered by frequency:
#### [Task Name]
1. Go to [section]
2. Click/tap [action]
3. Fill in [fields]
4. Confirm with [action]
5. You'll see [result]
(Repeat for each common task)
### For [Role 2]
(Same structure)
## Understanding the System
### Statuses and What They Mean
For each status in the system:
- **[Status Name]** — Plain explanation, when to use it
- Example scenario
### Permissions
Plain-language explanation of who can do what:
- [Role 1] can: ...
- [Role 2] can: ...
- [Role 1] cannot: ...
## Common Scenarios
### Scenario: [Realistic situation]
"You need to [goal]. Here's how:"
1. ...
2. ...
3. ...
(3-5 realistic scenarios that cover 80% of usage)
## Troubleshooting
### "I can't [action]"
Probably because: [reason]
To fix: [steps]
### "I see the error: [message]"
This means: [explanation]
To fix: [steps]
## FAQs
### Question 1?
Answer in plain language.
### Question 2?
Answer.
## Getting Help
- Where to find help (link/email)
- Response time expectations
- What information to provide when asking for help
Style Rules
- Write for someone who has never used the system before
- Use "you" not "the user"
- Short paragraphs (max 3 sentences)
- One action per step
- Avoid jargon, but if unavoidable, explain in parentheses
- Use realistic examples (real names, real scenarios)
- Include error recovery for every flow
How to Generate
- Read FUNCTIONAL_FLOWS.md if it exists (reuse content)
- Identify the most common 5-10 user actions
- Write each as a step-by-step
- Include screenshots/mockups placeholders:
[Screenshot: action result] - Add troubleshooting based on validation errors in code
- Save as USER_GUIDE.md
Quality Checklist
- A new user can complete their first task without external help
- Every common task has a step-by-step
- Permissions are explained per role
- At least 3 troubleshooting entries for common errors
- FAQs cover real questions, not theoretical ones
- No technical jargon without explanation
- Tone is friendly but professional