# Runbook generator

> Write a runbook somebody woken at 3am can follow without thinking.

- Skill: `vstorm-co/runbook-generator` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add vstorm-co/runbook-generator`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/vstorm-co/runbook-generator/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: vstorm-co (https://skillmd.com/u/vstorm-co)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/vstorm-co/runbook-generator

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# Writing a runbook

Written for the least-context person on the rota, at the worst hour. Assume no
prior knowledge and no time.

## The shape

**Symptom** — what they will see, in the words the alert uses.
**Verify** — one command that confirms it is this and not something similar.
**Impact** — who is affected, so severity can be set immediately.
**Fix** — numbered steps, exact commands, expected output after each.
**If that fails** — the next branch, or who to wake.
**Afterwards** — what to check, what to record.

## Rules

Every command is copy-pasteable with placeholders in `<angle brackets>`. Every
destructive step says what it destroys and how to reverse it, immediately before
the command. Every step says how to tell it worked.

## Always name a person

An escalation to a team at 3am reaches nobody. Name the rota.

## Never

Write "investigate the logs" as a step, assume a tool is installed, or leave the
rollback in a different document.