docs-standards

name: "docs-standards" description: "Microsoft Style Guide + Squad-specific documentation patterns" domain: "documentation" confidence: "high" source: "earned (PAO charter, multiple doc PR reviews)"

Context

Squad documentation follows the Microsoft Style Guide with Squad-specific conventions. Consistency across docs builds trust and improves discoverability.

Patterns

Microsoft Style Guide Rules

• Sentence-case headings: "Getting started" not "Getting Started"
• Active voice: "Run the command" not "The command should be run"
• Second person: "You can configure..." not "Users can configure..."
• Present tense: "The system routes..." not "The system will route..."
• No ampersands in prose: "and" not "&" (except in code, brand names, or UI elements)

Squad Formatting Patterns

• Scannability first: Paragraphs for narrative (3-4 sentences max), bullets for scannable lists, tables for structured data
• "Try this" prompts at top: Start feature/scenario pages with practical prompts users can copy
• Experimental warnings: Features in preview get callout at top
• Cross-references at bottom: Related pages linked after main content

Structure

• Title (H1) → Warning/callout → Try this code → Overview → HR → Content (H2 sections)

Test Sync Rule

• Always update test assertions: When adding docs pages to features/, scenarios/, guides/, update corresponding EXPECTED_* arrays in test/docs-build.test.ts in the same commit

Examples

✓ Correct:

# Getting started with Squad

> ⚠️ **Experimental:** This feature is in preview.

Try this:
\`\`\`bash
squad init
\`\`\`

Squad helps you build AI teams...

---

## Install Squad

Run the following command...

✗ Incorrect:

# Getting Started With Squad  // Title case

Squad is a tool which will help users... // Third person, future tense

You can install Squad with npm & configure it... // Ampersand in prose

Anti-Patterns

• Title-casing headings because "it looks nicer"
• Writing in passive voice or third person
• Long paragraphs of dense text (breaks scannability)
• Adding doc pages without updating test assertions
• Using ampersands outside code blocks