howto-docs
How-To guide patterns for documentation - task-oriented guides for users with specific goals
Install via CLI (Recommended)
clawhub install openclaw/skills/skills/anderskev/howto-docsHow-To Documentation Skill
This skill provides patterns for writing effective How-To guides in documentation. How-To guides are task-oriented content for users who have a specific goal in mind.
Purpose & Audience
Target readers:
- Users with a specific goal they want to accomplish
- Assumes some familiarity with the product (not complete beginners)
- Looking for practical, actionable steps
- Want to get things done, not learn concepts
How-To guides are NOT:
- Tutorials (which teach through exploration)
- Explanations (which provide understanding)
- Reference docs (which describe the system)
How-To Guide Template
Use this structure for all how-to guides:
---
title: "How to [achieve specific goal]"
description: "Learn how to [goal] using [product/feature]"
---
# How to [Goal]
Brief intro (1-2 sentences): what you'll accomplish and why it's useful.
## Prerequisites
- [What user needs before starting]
- [Required access, tools, or setup]
- [Any prior knowledge assumed]
## Steps
### 1. [Action verb] the [thing]
[Clear instruction with expected outcome]
<Note>
[Optional tip or important context]
</Note>
### 2. [Next action]
[Continue with clear, single-action steps]
```bash
# Example command or code if needed
3. [Continue numbering]
[Each step should be one discrete action]
Verify it worked
[How to confirm success - what should user see/experience?]
Troubleshooting
<AccordionGroup> <Accordion title="[Common issue 1]"> [Solution or workaround] </Accordion> <Accordion title="[Common issue 2]"> [Solution or workaround] </Accordion> </AccordionGroup>Next steps
- [Related how-to guide 1]
- [Related how-to guide 2]
- [Deeper dive reference doc]
## Writing Principles
### Title Conventions
- **Always start with "How to"** - makes the goal immediately clear
- Use active verbs: "How to configure...", "How to deploy...", "How to migrate..."
- Be specific: "How to add SSO authentication" not "How to set up auth"
### Step Structure
1. **One action per step** - if you write "and", consider splitting
2. **Start with action verbs**: Click, Navigate, Enter, Select, Run, Create
3. **Show expected outcomes** after key steps:
```markdown
### 3. Save the configuration
Click **Save**. You should see a success message: "Configuration updated."
Minimize Context
- Don't explain why things work - just show how to do them
- Link to explanations for users who want deeper understanding
- Keep each step focused on the immediate action
User Perspective
Write from the user's perspective, not the product's:
| Avoid (product-centric) | Prefer (user-centric) |
|---|---|
| "The API accepts..." | "Send a request to..." |
| "The system will..." | "You'll see..." |
| "This feature allows..." | "You can now..." |
Prerequisites Section
Be explicit about what's needed:
## Prerequisites
Metadata
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{
"plugins": {
"official-anderskev-howto-docs": {
"enabled": true,
"auto_update": true
}
}
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