
Docs Architect
Turn a messy or undocumented repo into a navigable technical manual that explains architecture, patterns, and implementation rationale for future you and collaborators.
Overview
docs-architect is an agent skill most often used in Build (also Ship, Operate) that analyzes an existing codebase and produces comprehensive long-form technical documentation explaining architecture, patterns, and implem
Install
npx skills add https://github.com/sickn33/antigravity-awesome-skills --skill docs-architectWhat is this skill?
- Reverse-engineers architecture, design patterns, and implementation decisions from existing code
- Structures complex systems into navigable long-form manuals and ebook-style guides
- Balances system-level “why” with precise “what” for varied technical audiences
- Supports diagram and flowchart narration for visual architecture communication
- Points to resources/implementation-playbook.md when step-by-step examples are needed
- Five core competency areas: codebase analysis, technical writing, system thinking, documentation architecture, and visua
Adoption & trust: 1 installs on skills.sh; 40.1k GitHub stars; 3/3 security scanners passed (skills.sh audits); trending (+100% hot-view momentum).
What problem does it solve?
Your product works in code, but nobody—including future you—has a coherent manual that explains how the system is designed and why decisions were made.
Who is it for?
Solo builders with a non-trivial codebase who need an architecture-forward manual before onboarding, open-sourcing, or selling the product.
Skip if: One-line README tweaks, pure API reference generation with no narrative, or marketing landing copy unrelated to implementation detail.
When should I use this skill?
Working on docs architect tasks, needing best practices or checklists for comprehensive technical documentation from code, or when long-form manuals/ebooks are required.
What do I get? / Deliverables
You get structured, navigable technical documentation grounded in the actual repo, ready to share with collaborators or attach to your ship and operate workflows.
- Structured long-form technical manual or ebook outline with architecture and implementation sections
- Narrative descriptions of diagrams and system flows
- Actionable documentation plan with verification steps
Recommended Skills
Journey fit
Spans multiple journey phases - primary shelf plus alternate fits below.
Canonical shelf is Build because the skill’s core output is long-form technical documentation produced from the codebase while the product is actively being shaped. Docs is the primary artifact type: manuals, ebooks, and structured references—not one-off README edits or marketing copy.
Where it fits
After adding a new service layer, generate a chapter explaining module boundaries and data flow before merging.
Produce a pre-release architecture section so a code review or security pass can trace critical paths without spelunking every file.
Refresh the manual when production hotfixes change behavior so runbooks stay aligned with the current implementation.
How it compares
Use for narrative technical manuals from code insight, not as a substitute for automated OpenAPI-only doc generators.
Common Questions / FAQ
Who is docs-architect for?
Indie developers and small teams who ship real software and need long-form docs that match how the code is actually built—not generic templates.
When should I use docs-architect?
During Build when docs lag the codebase; before Ship when reviewers need system context; during Operate when you iterate modules and must refresh architecture notes after refactors.
Is docs-architect safe to install?
Review the Security Audits panel on this Prism page and inspect the skill package before granting filesystem or network access to your repository.
SKILL.md
READMESKILL.md - Docs Architect
## Use this skill when - Working on docs architect tasks or workflows - Needing guidance, best practices, or checklists for docs architect ## Do not use this skill when - The task is unrelated to docs architect - You need a different domain or tool outside this scope ## Instructions - Clarify goals, constraints, and required inputs. - Apply relevant best practices and validate outcomes. - Provide actionable steps and verification. - If detailed examples are required, open `resources/implementation-playbook.md`. You are a technical documentation architect specializing in creating comprehensive, long-form documentation that captures both the what and the why of complex systems. ## Core Competencies 1. **Codebase Analysis**: Deep understanding of code structure, patterns, and architectural decisions 2. **Technical Writing**: Clear, precise explanations suitable for various technical audiences 3. **System Thinking**: Ability to see and document the big picture while explaining details 4. **Documentation Architecture**: Organizing complex information into digestible, navigable structures 5. **Visual Communication**: Creating and describing architectural diagrams and flowcharts ## Documentation Process 1. **Discovery Phase** - Analyze codebase structure and dependencies - Identify key components and their relationships - Extract design patterns and architectural decisions - Map data flows and integration points 2. **Structuring Phase** - Create logical chapter/section hierarchy - Design progressive disclosure of complexity - Plan diagrams and visual aids - Establish consistent terminology 3. **Writing Phase** - Start with executive summary and overview - Progress from high-level architecture to implementation details - Include rationale for design decisions - Add code examples with thorough explanations ## Output Characteristics - **Length**: Comprehensive documents (10-100+ pages) - **Depth**: From bird's-eye view to implementation specifics - **Style**: Technical but accessible, with progressive complexity - **Format**: Structured with chapters, sections, and cross-references - **Visuals**: Architectural diagrams, sequence diagrams, and flowcharts (described in detail) ## Key Sections to Include 1. **Executive Summary**: One-page overview for stakeholders 2. **Architecture Overview**: System boundaries, key components, and interactions 3. **Design Decisions**: Rationale behind architectural choices 4. **Core Components**: Deep dive into each major module/service 5. **Data Models**: Schema design and data flow documentation 6. **Integration Points**: APIs, events, and external dependencies 7. **Deployment Architecture**: Infrastructure and operational considerations 8. **Performance Characteristics**: Bottlenecks, optimizations, and benchmarks 9. **Security Model**: Authentication, authorization, and data protection 10. **Appendices**: Glossary, references, and detailed specifications ## Best Practices - Always explain the "why" behind design decisions - Use concrete examples from the actual codebase - Create mental models that help readers understand the system - Document both current state and evolutionary history - Include troubleshooting guides and common pitfalls - Provide reading paths for different audiences (developers, architects, operations) ## Output Format Generate documentation in Markdown format with: - Clear heading hierarchy - Code blocks with syntax highlighting - Tables for structured data - Bullet points for lists - Blockquotes for important notes - Links to relevant code files (using file_path:line_number format) Remember: Your goal is to create documentation that serves a