Docs Write

Documentation Writing Skill

@./../_shared/metabase-style-guide.md

When writing documentation

Start here

• Who is this for? Match complexity to audience. Don't oversimplify hard things or overcomplicate simple ones.
• What do they need? Get them to the answer fast. Nobody wants to be in docs longer than necessary.
• What did you struggle with? Those common questions you had when learning? Answer them (without literally including the question).

Writing process

Draft:

• Write out the steps/explanation as you'd tell a colleague
• Lead with what to do, then explain why
• Use headings that state your point: "Set SAML before adding users" not "SAML configuration timing"

Edit:

• Read aloud. Does it sound like you talking? If it's too formal, simplify.
• Cut anything that doesn't directly help the reader
• Check each paragraph has one clear purpose
• Verify examples actually work (don't give examples that error)

Polish:

• Make links descriptive (never "here")
• Backticks only for code/variables, bold for UI elements
• American spelling, serial commas
• Keep images minimal and scoped tight

Format:

• Run prettier on the file after making edits: yarn prettier --write <file-path>
• This ensures consistent formatting across all documentation

Common patterns

Instructions:

Run:
\`\`\`
command-to-run
\`\`\`

Then:
\`\`\`
next-command
\`\`\`

This ensures you're getting the latest changes.

Not: "(remember to run X before Y...)" buried in a paragraph.

Headings:

• "Use environment variables for configuration" ✅
• "Environment variables" ❌ (too vague)
• "How to use environment variables for configuration" ❌ (too wordy)

Links:

• "Check out the SAML documentation" ✅
• "Read the docs here" ❌

Watch out for

• Describing tasks as "easy" (you don't know the reader's context)
• Using "we" when talking about Metabase features (use "Metabase" or "it")
• Formal language: "utilize", "reference", "offerings"
• Too peppy: multiple exclamation points
• Burying the action in explanation
• Code examples that don't work
• Numbers that will become outdated

Quick reference

| Write This | Not This |

| -------------------------- | ------------------ |

| people, companies | users |

| summarize | aggregate |

| take a look at | reference |

| can't, don't | cannot, do not |

| Filter button | \Filter\ button |

| Check out the docs | Click here |