Update Docs
Ensures documentation stays in sync with code changes. Run before or during every PR that touches library code.
Before anything else
- Read CLAUDE.md — understand boundaries (core vs server), dropped features, and session model
- Read .docs-style-guide.md — binding terminology reference
Step 1: Detect what changed
bash1git diff main...HEAD --name-only
Map changes to affected docs:
| Source file | Affected doc pages |
|---|---|
src/edictum/pipeline.py, contracts.py | concepts/how-it-works.md, architecture.md |
src/edictum/yaml_engine/ | contracts/yaml-reference.md, contracts/operators.md |
src/edictum/adapters/*.py | corresponding adapters/*.md page |
src/edictum/session.py, limits.py | concepts/contracts.md, architecture.md |
src/edictum/audit.py, telemetry.py | audit/sinks.md, audit/telemetry.md |
src/edictum/cli/ | cli.md |
src/edictum/envelope.py | concepts/principals.md, architecture.md |
pyproject.toml (version) | install commands across docs |
src/edictum/__init__.py (API) | quickstart.md, all adapter pages |
If no library code changed (docs-only PR), skip to Step 4.
Step 2: Read the changed code
For each changed file:
- Read the file and the diff (
git diff main...HEAD -- <file>) - Identify: new public APIs, changed signatures, new classes, removed exports, changed behavior
Step 3: Update affected docs
For each affected page:
- Read the current doc
- Skip if already correct
- Update code examples, descriptions, YAML examples
- Verify "When to use this" section exists (see .docs-style-guide.md page structure pattern step 3):
- Every page MUST have a
## When to use thissection after the opening/example and before the main content - If missing, add one with: 2-4 concrete scenarios (real situations, not abstract descriptions), user personas who benefit, and how this feature relates to other Edictum features
- If new code adds a feature, update the scenarios to cover the new capability
- Read the ACTUAL SOURCE CODE for the feature before writing scenarios — reference real method names, real classes, real behavior
- Every page MUST have a
- Verify terminology against .docs-style-guide.md:
- "contracts" not "policies" or "rules"
- Use
denied(see .docs-style-guide.md for banned alternatives) - Use
enforces(not "governs") - Use
pipeline(not "engine") - Use
tool call(not "function call") - Use
adapter(not "integration" or "plugin") - Use
observe mode(see .docs-style-guide.md for banned alternatives) - Use
finding/findings(not "alert")
- Verify core vs server boundaries against CLAUDE.md:
- All contract evaluation (pre, post, session, sandbox) is core
- StdoutAuditSink, FileAuditSink, OTel are core
- Production approval workflows (ServerApprovalBackend) require the server
- Centralized audit dashboards require the server
- Multi-process session tracking requires the server
- MemoryBackend is the only local StorageBackend (no Redis/DB)
- No references to dropped features or ee/ tier
Step 3.5: Update repo-level markdown files
These files live outside docs/ but track code changes:
- CHANGELOG.md — if the PR introduces user-visible changes (fixes, features, breaking changes), add an entry under the current version heading. Use the existing entry format. Keep descriptions neutral (no exploit details for security fixes).
- CLAUDE.md "What's Shipped" section — if this is a new version, add a one-line entry to the version history list matching the existing format.
Step 4: Update README if needed
If public API, install extras, framework support, or version changed:
- Read README.md
- Update affected sections
- Ensure README matches docs/index.md positioning
Step 5: Verify the build
bash1python -m mkdocs build --strict 2>&1
Fix any broken links, missing pages, or YAML errors.
Step 6: Report
Summarize:
- Which code files changed
- Which doc pages were updated (and what changed)
- Which doc pages were checked but needed no changes
- Build verification result
Rules
- Don't rewrite for the sake of rewriting. Only update what the code change actually affects.
- Don't add features that don't exist. If code was added but not released, note it as unreleased.
- Don't reference dropped features. No Redis/DB StorageBackend, no reset_session().
- Preserve the voice. Match existing style — problem first, short paragraphs, code examples.
- Check cross-links. Verify links in updated pages still work.
- README and homepage must stay aligned. If you update one, check the other.