pelizzai-documenting-features

Feature documentation should describe observable behavior, routes, and APIs rather than volatile internal implementation details. Focusing on the stable software contract ensures the documentation remains durable and human-readable even if the underlying code logic changes.

To document a new API endpoint, generate a durable contract document that explains its purpose, usage, and limits to other developers without narrating internal refactoring. This ensures the documentation is validated and committed as a distinct artifact.

To keep technical documentation from becoming stale, integrate it into the delivery lifecycle as a distinct, validated artifact. Enforcing a contract-first approach ensures documentation is reviewed and committed separately alongside feature implementation.

To maintain history hygiene, commit feature documentation separately by adhering to defined documentation structures and integrating with the project's commit strategy. This ensures documentation artifacts are validated independently from code changes.

Yes, contract-first documentation is designed specifically for stable software contracts and feature interfaces. It standardizes the creation of human-readable documentation by focusing on public-facing behavior within the development lifecycle.

You should not use a contract-first approach when you need to document volatile internal implementation details or code refactoring processes. This method is strictly focused on standardizing stable, public-facing behavior and observable APIs.