Documentation Sync Checker

Documentation Sync Checker Skill

Purpose & Activation

What it does:

• Validation: Validates documentation consistency, cross-references, and detects drift across MD files
• Auto-Generation (NEW v4.19.0): Detects code changes and suggests documentation templates

When it activates automatically:

• "Are docs in sync?"
• "Check for broken links"
• "Find stale content"
• "Validate documentation"
• "Check cross-references"
• NEW: "Document this function"
• NEW: "Generate docs for new code"
• NEW: "What docs need updating?"

How it helps:

• Prevents documentation drift
• Finds broken internal links
• Identifies version mismatches
• Detects stale references
• Validates cross-document consistency
• NEW: Auto-generates docstring templates
• NEW: Suggests README updates for new files
• NEW: Flags API changes needing documentation

Key Checks

1. Version Consistency

Validates version references across:

• README.md (3 locations)
• CLAUDE.md (line 4)
• SETUP_CONTEXT.md (2 locations)
• CHANGELOG.md (latest entry)
• All skill SKILL.md files (footer)

2. Internal Links

Checks links in format:

• Relative: [text](../path/to/file.md)
• Root-relative: [text](/path/from/root.md)
• Anchors: [text](#section-name)

Validates:

• Target file exists
• Anchor exists (if specified)
• Path is correct

3. Cross-References

Validates bidirectional links:

• README ↔ Documentation files
• Skills ↔ 02_skills-paradigm.md
• Setup guides ↔ QUICK_REFERENCE.md

4. Stale Content Detection

Finds references to:

• Old version numbers
• Deprecated features
• Removed files
• Outdated examples

Operations

Operation 1: Full Documentation Sync

User Query:

"Are docs in sync?"

Confidence: 🟢 High (0.89)

• Comprehensive check across 39 MD files
• 4 validation types (version, links, cross-refs, stale content)
• Clear pass/fail criteria

Skill Response:

📚 Documentation Sync Check

VERSION CONSISTENCY ✅
All files reference v3.4.0

INTERNAL LINKS ✅
Checked 156 links, all valid

CROSS-REFERENCES ✅
All bidirectional links verified

STALE CONTENT ✅
No outdated references found

Status: All documentation in sync! ✨

Why This Matters:

• 22,400+ lines of docs = high drift risk without automated checking
• Broken links erode user trust ("is this template maintained?")
• Version consistency prevents user confusion (which features exist?)
• Quick win: All green! Safe to publish updates or onboard new users

Next Step: Schedule monthly sync checks to catch drift early

Operation 2: Broken Link Detection

User Query:

"Check for broken links"

Confidence: 🟢 High (0.92)

• Link validation is deterministic (file exists or not)
• Anchor checking via file parsing
• Clear fix guidance for each broken link

Skill Response:

🔗 Link Validation

Found 2 broken links:

❌ README.md:45
   Link: [Old Guide](docs/deprecated.md)
   Issue: File does not exist
   Fix: Remove link or update to new path

❌ QUICK_REFERENCE.md:120
   Link: [Section](#nonexistent)
   Issue: Anchor not found in target
   Fix: Update anchor to match actual heading

Action: Fix these 2 links

Why This Matters:

• Broken links = poor first impression for new users
• 2 broken links out of 156 = 98.7% link health (good baseline)
• Specific line numbers enable fast fixes (no hunting)
• Quick win: Edit README.md:45 and QUICK_REFERENCE.md:120 now

Next Step: After fixing, re-run "Check for broken links" to verify all clear

Operation 3: Version Mismatch Detection

User Query:

"Find version inconsistencies"

Confidence: 🟡 Medium (0.75)

• Can find version references deterministically
• Some mismatches may be intentional (historical context)
• Requires human judgment to distinguish bugs from features

Skill Response:

🔍 Version References

Expected: v3.4.0

Mismatches found:
❌ docs/old-guide.md:5
   Found: "v3.2.0"
   Context: "This feature was added in v3.2.0"
   Note: May be intentional (historical reference)

❌ examples/config.json:3
   Found: "version": "3.3.0"
   Issue: Example should reflect current version

Fix examples/config.json immediately.
Review docs/old-guide.md (may be intentional).

Why This Matters:

• Example configs with old versions mislead users ("do I need v3.3.0?")
• Historical references are valid (e.g., "Added in v3.2.0") but need review
• Version drift detection prevents accumulation of stale references
• Quick win: Update examples/config.json to "version": "3.4.0"

Next Step: Review "v3.2.0" context—if historical, add "(historical)" note for clarity

Auto-Generation Operations (NEW v4.19.0)

Operation 4: Function Documentation Generation

User Query:

"Document this function" or "Generate docs for new code"

Confidence: 🟢 High (0.87)

• Pattern-based detection of undocumented functions
• Template generation using prompt patterns (v4.14.0)
• Language-agnostic approach (JS, Python, Bash, etc.)

Skill Response:

📝 Documentation Template Generated

Function: validateConfig (src/utils.js:45)

Suggested docstring:
/**
 * Validates configuration object against schema
 *
 * @param {Object} config - Configuration object to validate
 * @param {Object} schema - JSON schema for validation
 * @returns {Object} Validation result with errors array
 * @throws {ValidationError} If schema is invalid
 *
 * @example
 * const result = validateConfig(userConfig, configSchema);
 * if (result.errors.length > 0) {
 *   console.error('Validation failed:', result.errors);
 * }
 */

Detected:
- 2 parameters (config, schema)
- 1 return value (object)
- 1 potential throw (ValidationError)
- Used in 3 files

Next: Copy template, adjust details, add to function

Why This Matters:

• Undocumented functions = cognitive load for future readers (including yourself in 3 months)
• Template provides structure (params, returns, throws, examples) following best practices
• Uses prompt patterns from v4.14.0 (Output Requirements pattern for structured docs)
• Quick win: Copy-paste template, customize in 2 minutes vs writing from scratch (15 minutes)

Next Step: Paste template above function, adjust param descriptions to match actual usage

Operation 5: New File README Updates

User Query:

"New file added, update docs" or "What docs need updating?"

Confidence: 🟡 Medium (0.76)

• Can detect new files via git status
• Suggests README sections based on file type
• Requires human judgment for integration (where does this fit?)

Skill Response:

📂 New Files Detected

File: src/validators/deployment-check.js (157 lines)
Type: JavaScript module
Exports: 3 functions (checkTests, checkSecurity, checkDocs)

Suggested README update:
## Deployment Validation

### `deployment-check.js`

Validates deployment readiness by checking:
- Test suite status (all passing)
- Security scans (no vulnerabilities)
- Documentation sync (up-to-date)

Usage:
```js
import { checkTests, checkSecurity, checkDocs } from './validators/deployment-check';

const ready = await checkTests() && await checkSecurity() && await checkDocs();
console.log(`Deployment ready: ${ready}`);

Add this section to: src/validators/README.md (before "Contributing")

**Why This Matters:**
- New files without README mentions = invisible to users ("does this exist?")
- Template provides usage example (critical for adoption)
- Suggests integration point (where in README to add)
- **Quick win:** Copy template to README, adjust details (5 minutes vs 20 minutes writing from scratch)

**Next Step:** Open src/validators/README.md, paste template before "Contributing" section

### Operation 6: API Change Documentation Flagging

**User Query:**
> "Check if API changes need docs" or "What changed in the API?"

**Confidence:** 🟡 Medium (0.72)
- Can detect signature changes via git diff
- Flags breaking changes (removed params, changed returns)
- Requires human review (is this breaking?)

**Skill Response:**

⚠️ API Changes Detected

Function: processConfig (src/config.js:23)

Change:

• OLD: processConfig(config)
• NEW: processConfig(config, options = {})

Impact: Non-breaking (new optional parameter)

Documentation to update:

1. README.md:156 - Usage example still shows old signature Update to: processConfig(config, { validate: true })

2. docs/API.md:89 - Parameter list needs new entry Add: options (Object, optional) - Processing options

3. CHANGELOG.md - Add entry: "Added optional options parameter to processConfig"

Breaking? No (optional parameter with default) Action: Update 3 locations, add changelog entry

**Why This Matters:**
- API changes without doc updates = confused users ("why doesn't this work?")
- Breaking vs non-breaking distinction guides update urgency
- Specific file locations enable fast fixes
- **Quick win:** Update 3 locations now (10 minutes), prevent 5 support questions later (30 minutes)

**Next Step:** Update README.md:156 first (most visible), then API.md, then CHANGELOG.md

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## Token Efficiency

### Validation Operations (Original v3.5.0)
**Without Skill:** 800 tokens (manual exploration)
**With Skill:** 300 tokens (structured validation)
**Savings:** 500 tokens/query (62% reduction, projected)

**Monthly:** 3 checks × 500 = 1,500 tokens saved (~$0.05/month)

### Auto-Generation Operations (NEW v4.19.0)
**Without Skill:** 1,200 tokens (read code → analyze → draft template)
**With Skill:** 400 tokens (pattern detection → template generation)
**Savings:** 800 tokens/query (67% reduction, projected)

**Monthly:** 5 doc generations × 800 = 4,000 tokens saved (~$0.12/month)

**Combined Monthly Savings:** 5,500 tokens (~$0.17/month)

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## Integration with v4.18.0 Frameworks

**Decision Framework:**
- Use this skill when: Code changes complete, documentation needed
- Integration Pattern: Code → Documentation-Sync (auto-generate) → Review → Commit

**Prompt Patterns Used (v4.14.0):**
- Output Requirements Pattern (structured docstrings)
- Few-Shot Scaffolding Pattern (template examples)
- Context-Rich Request Pattern (function signature + usage context)

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## See Also

- version-management skill
- commit-readiness-checker skill
- docs/01-fundamentals/08_prompt-patterns.md
- QUICK_REFERENCE.md

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**Skill Version:** 4.19.0
**Last Updated:** 2025-12-17
**Target Audience:** Template maintainers, documentation managers, developers

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