BMAD-METHOD/docs/documentation-standards/style-guide.md

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# BMAD Documentation Style Guide
## Overview
This style guide establishes consistent standards for all BMAD Method documentation. Following these guidelines ensures our documentation is professional, accessible, and maintainable across all personas and use cases.
## Document Structure
### Headers and Sections
- Use ATX-style headers with a space after the hash marks (`#`)
- Maintain proper header hierarchy (H1 > H2 > H3)
- Include only one H1 (`#`) per document
- Keep headers concise (3-7 words)
- Use sentence case for headers
### Formatting
- **Bold** for emphasis and UI elements
- *Italics* for introducing new terms
- `Code formatting` for code snippets, commands, and file paths
- > Blockquotes for important notes or quotes
- Horizontal rules (`---`) to separate major sections
## Writing Style
### Voice and Tone
- Use active voice
- Write in present tense
- Be concise and direct
- Use second person ("you") to address the reader
- Maintain a professional, helpful tone
### Grammar and Mechanics
- Use Oxford commas
- Spell out numbers one through nine, use numerals for 10+
- Use sentence case for titles and headings
- Avoid contractions in formal documentation
- Maintain consistent terminology throughout
## Code Examples
- Include language identifier with code blocks
- Keep examples concise and focused
- Include comments for complex code
- Use placeholder text consistently (e.g., `YOUR_API_KEY`)
- Test all code examples before publishing
## Images and Media
- Include descriptive alt text for all images
- Keep images under 1MB when possible
- Use SVG format for diagrams and flowcharts
- Include captions for complex visuals
- Maintain consistent image dimensions within a document
## Links and References
- Use descriptive link text (avoid "click here")
- Check all links before publishing
- Use relative links for internal documentation
- Include version numbers when linking to external documentation
- Provide context for why a link is relevant
## Persona-Specific Guidelines
- Include persona activation phrase at the beginning
- Clearly indicate persona-specific sections
- Use consistent terminology for each persona
- Include cross-references to related personas
- Maintain consistent formatting across all persona documentation
## Versioning
- Include last updated date in all documents
- Use semantic versioning for documentation (MAJOR.MINOR.PATCH)
- Maintain a changelog for significant updates
- Indicate deprecated features clearly
- Archive outdated documentation rather than deleting
## Accessibility
- Use descriptive alt text for images
- Maintain proper heading hierarchy
- Use sufficient color contrast
- Avoid directional instructions ("click the button below")
- Provide text alternatives for non-text content
## Review Process
- All documentation must undergo peer review
- Use the documentation checklist before submission
- Run automated checks for style compliance
- Test all procedures on a clean environment
- Validate all links and references
## File Organization
- Use kebab-case for filenames
- Group related documents in logical folders
- Maintain consistent file extensions (.md)
- Include README.md files in each directory
- Follow the established directory structure
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*This style guide is maintained by the BMAD Documentation Team. Last updated: Current Date.*