Skip to content
doc-validation-rfc-37 logo

RFC-37 Documentation Validation

doc-validation-rfc-37

Validate documentation structure, freshness, and RFC-37 compliance using bitso-documentation-linter. Ensures docs/ folder structure (api, decisions, concepts, how-tos, runbooks) and Confluence mirroring metadata. Use when validating documentation or checking for sync issues.

SKILL.md

Full skill instructions

RFC-37 Documentation Validation

Validates documentation structure and synchronization following RFC-37 standards.

When to use this skill

  • Validating documentation structure against RFC-37
  • Checking if documentation is synchronized with code
  • Running documentation linting before commits
  • Setting up documentation validation in CI/​CD
  • Fixing documentation linting violations
  • Verifying Confluence mirroring configuration

Skill Contents

Sections

Available Resources

📚 references/​ - Detailed documentation

🔧 scripts/​ - Automation scripts

📦 assets/​ - Templates and resources


Quick Start

1. Install the linter

brew tap bitsoex/​homebrew-bitso
brew install bitso-documentation-linter

See references/​installation.md for alternative installation methods.

2. Create directory structure

mkdir -p docs/​{decisions,how-tos,runbooks}
mkdir -p docs/​my-service/​{concepts,getting-started}

3. Create Confluence config

# Copy and edit the template
cp assets/​mark.toml.template docs/​mark.toml

See references/​confluence-metadata.md for configuration details.

4. Run validation

# Basic validation
doclinter --repo-path . --verbose

# Preview Confluence tree
doclinter tree --repo-path .

# Via skills CLI
node .scripts/​skills-cli.ts doc-validation-rfc-37 validate

Standard Directory Structure

docs/
├── api/                    # API documentation
│   ├── async/              # Event-driven APIs
│   ├── grpc/               # gRPC APIs
│   └── rest/               # REST APIs
├── decisions/              # Architecture Decision Records (required)
├── how-tos/                # Step-by-step guides (required)
│   └── local-execution.md  # REQUIRED for all services
├── runbooks/               # Operational procedures (required)
└── <service-name>/         # Service-specific docs
    ├── concepts/           # Architecture, design (required)
    └── getting-started/    # Quick start (required)

Documentation Validation Checks

CheckWhat It DoesSeverity
README presenceVerifies README.md existsError
Broken linksChecks internal Markdown linksWarning
API docsLooks for generated API documentationInfo
FreshnessCompares doc timestamps to codeWarning
RFC-37 structureValidates docs/ folder structureError
Confluence metadataValidates mark.toml and parent IDsError
Local executionChecks for required local-execution.mdError

Pre-Push Documentation Check

The system verifies documentation is updated when significant files change.

Architecture Files That Trigger Doc Checks

const ARCHITECTURE_FILES = [
  'technology-hierarchy.json',
  'repo-overrides.json',
  'managed-paths.json',
  '.scripts/​convert-rules.ts',
  '.scripts/​targeting.ts',
  '.scripts/​safe-sync.ts',
  '.scripts/​ci-distribute.ts',
  '.github/​workflows/​ci.yaml'
];

Expected Documentation Updates

When architecture files change, update one of:

  • docs/​ai-ide-management/​concepts/​architecture.md
  • docs/​ai-ide-management/​how-tos/​targeting-and-inheritance.md
  • docs/​ai-ide-management/​overview.md
  • README.md

Skipping the Check

# For a single commit (when docs truly aren't needed)
AI_AGENTS_SKIP_DOCS_CHECK=1 git commit -m "chore: minor config tweak"

# Or document why in commit message
git commit -m "fix: typo in config

No docs update needed - cosmetic change only"

Available Functions

Via Skills CLI

node .scripts/​skills-cli.ts doc-validation-rfc-37 validate
node .scripts/​skills-cli.ts doc-validation-rfc-37 lint

Programmatic Usage

import {
  validateDocs,      // Run all documentation checks
  checkReadme,       // Verify README presence
  checkBrokenLinks,  // Find broken internal links
  checkApiDocs,      // Look for API documentation
  checkFreshness,    // Compare doc/​code timestamps
  DOC_TOOLS          // Recommended tools by project type
} from './​.scripts/​lib/​skills/​doc-sync.ts';

const result = await validateDocs('.', { quiet: false });

console.log('Passed:', result.passed);
console.log('Issues:', result.issues);
console.log('Warnings:', result.warnings);

Documentation Tools by Project Type

ProjectToolsCommands
Java/​GradleJavadoc, Checkstyle./​gradlew javadoc
Node.jsTypeDoc, JSDoc, markdownlintnpx typedoc, npx markdownlint "**/​*.md"
PythonSphinx, pydocstyle, MkDocssphinx-build, pydocstyle
Gogodoc, go docgo doc -all

Best Practices

1. Document As You Code

  • Update docs in the same PR as code changes
  • Use the pre-push hook to catch missing updates
  • Keep README.md as the single source of truth

2. Structure Documentation

Follow RFC-37 structure for consistency (see directory structure above).

3. Link Related Docs

Use relative links between documentation files.

4. Keep Docs Fresh

  • Run freshness checks periodically
  • Update docs when APIs change
  • Review docs during code reviews

References

ReferenceDescription
references/​rfc-37.mdRFC-37 summary and requirements
references/​validation-rules.mdAll 10 linter rules with examples
references/​confluence-metadata.mdConfluence config (mark.toml, metadata)
references/​installation.mdLinter installation guide
references/​ai-fixes.mdAI-assisted documentation fixes

Assets

AssetDescription
assets/​mark.toml.templateConfluence config template
assets/​doclinterrc.yml.templateLinter config template
assets/​local-execution.md.templateLocal execution doc template

Related Skills

SkillPurpose
doc-generation-rfc-37AI-assisted documentation generation
quality-checksQuality gate orchestration
git-hooksPre-commit/​pre-push hook setup
<!-- AUTO-GENERATED FILE - DO NOT EDIT DIRECTLY --> <!-- Source: bitsoex/​ai-code-instructions → global/​skills/​doc-validation-rfc-37/​SKILL.md --> <!-- To modify, edit the source file and run the distribution workflow -->

More Productivity & Planning skills

brainstorming logo
Productivity & Planning

brainstorming

Structured design dialogue that validates ideas before implementation begins.

295.4K 385.7K
View
ui-ux-pro-max logo
Productivity & Planning

ui-ux-pro-max

Comprehensive design intelligence for web and mobile UI/UX across 10 technology stacks.

133.1K 383.9K
View
writing-plans logo
Productivity & Planning

writing-plans

Comprehensive implementation plans for multi-step tasks, breaking down specs into bite-sized, testable steps.

295.4K 268K
View
using-superpowers logo
Productivity & Planning

using-superpowers

Introduction to the obra skills system with mandatory skill invocation rules and best practices.

295.4K 259.8K
View
executing-plans logo
Productivity & Planning

executing-plans

Execute a written implementation plan with critical review and task checkpoints.

295.4K 229.1K
View
dispatching-parallel-agents logo
Productivity & Planning

dispatching-parallel-agents

Delegate independent tasks to specialized agents working concurrently with isolated context.

295.4K 206.3K
View
using-git-worktrees logo
Productivity & Planning

using-git-worktrees

Isolated git worktrees with smart directory selection and safety verification.

295.4K 205.2K
View
webapp-testing logo
Productivity & Planning

webapp-testing

Toolkit for interacting with and testing local web applications using Playwright. Supports verifying frontend functionality, debugging UI behavior, capturing browser screenshots, and viewing browser logs.

179.7K 170.6K
View
content-strategy logo
Productivity & Planning

content-strategy

Plan searchable and shareable content that drives traffic, builds authority, and generates leads.

53.3K 150.9K
View
repo-intake-and-plan logo
Productivity & Planning

repo-intake-and-plan

README-first repository scanner that extracts commands and classifies reproduction candidates without executing them.

497 139.6K
View
marketing-ideas logo
Productivity & Planning

marketing-ideas

Brainstorm and prioritize marketing strategies tailored to your SaaS stage, budget, and goals.

53.3K 137.2K
View
site-architecture logo
Productivity & Planning

site-architecture

Plan and optimize your website's page hierarchy, navigation, URL structure, and internal linking.

53.3K 112.8K
View

Productivity AI tools

Vimcal logo
Productivity

Vimcal

The world's fastest calendar for remote work

Free
View
SaveDay logo
Productivity

SaveDay

Capture, organize, and utilize your knowledge effortlessly.

Free
View
Any Summary logo
Productivity

Any Summary

Instant Summaries of Audio & Video Interviews with AnySummary

Freemium
View
M
Productivity

Map This

Transform PDFs into engaging mind maps.

Freemium
View
ChatPDF logo
Productivity

ChatPDF

Chat with any PDF instantly

Free
View
I
Productivity

intellisay

Create an optimal daily plan using your voice

Paid
View
A
Productivity

Aurora AI

A productivity platform to centralize organizational knowledge and workflows with contextual AI assistance.

Paid
View
AskYourPDF logo
Productivity

AskYourPDF

AskYourPDF Pricing Plans: Tailored to Your Needs

Free
View