Check Docs Updated
Verify that durable repository documentation matches what the branch actually changes. Keep this focused on files in the repo; use writing-pr-descriptions for PR title and body text.
Operating Contract
- Treat the current PR or branch diff as the target unless the user names a different PR, commit range, or file set.
- Use a fresh base SHA: PR base from the host when reviewing a PR, otherwise merge-base with the tracked upstream or remote default branch.
- Respect repository doc and plan conventions from
AGENTS.md, contribution docs, existingdocs/plans/files, and generated-doc workflows. - Preserve caller, platform, or connector-required output formats.
- Do not edit files unless the user asked to update, fix, prepare, or carry the branch forward. When only asked to check, report findings.
- Keep PR title/body changes out of this skill; if PR metadata is stale, hand off to
writing-pr-descriptions.
Companion Skills
- Use
drafting-planswhen adocs/plans/file exists for the work or the change affects plan scope, sequencing, validation, decisions, or open questions.
Workflow
Resolve the target.
- Identify repo, branch, base SHA, and head SHA.
- Inspect
git statusand record unrelated dirty files. - Read the diff from base to head.
Build the branch truth.
- Summarize changed behavior, setup, commands, config, env vars, outputs, APIs, operational procedures, examples, migrations, and user-visible strings.
- Inspect changed tests, examples, and nearby docs to understand the intended contract.
Find relevant docs.
- Check
docs/,docs/plans/, README files, examples, runbooks, changelogs, migration notes, CLI help snapshots, API references, generated docs, and package-level documentation that match changed behavior. - Use targeted searches for renamed commands, config keys, env vars, API symbols, feature flags, plan names, and user-visible strings introduced or removed by the diff.
- If the repo has no relevant doc tree, say so explicitly instead of manufacturing a docs requirement.
- Check
Decide whether docs are required.
- Docs are required when behavior, setup, commands, config, outputs, APIs, operational procedures, examples, migrations, troubleshooting guidance, or developer-facing contracts change.
- Plan updates are required when a slice is completed, scope changes, implementation diverges from the plan, validation changes, decisions are made, or open questions are resolved.
- Docs are usually not required for internal-only refactors, tests-only changes, mechanical renames hidden behind unchanged public contracts, or private cleanup with no durable plan.
Fix when authorized.
- Patch the smallest accurate docs or plan update.
- If docs are generated, update the source and regenerate instead of editing generated output by hand.
- Run relevant validation for changed docs, generated artifacts, examples, or loaders.
- Keep unrelated dirty files out of the patch.
Output
For a check-only pass, report:
Status: current | needs-update | not-required | blocked- Docs/plans findings, if any.
- Files that should change or why no docs are required.
- Evidence checked and any deferred areas.
For a fix pass, report:
Status: updated | not-required | blocked- Docs/plans files changed.
- Validation commands and results.
- Remaining risks or follow-ups.