Chapter 03 · 7 min read

Documentation practices

Documentation fails when it describes the component but skips the moment someone needs it.


Start with the decision

Open every page with when to use the pattern, when to avoid it, and the common mistake. Put props, anatomy and visual detail after that.

Show the minimum useful example

One reliable example beats a gallery of edge cases. Use the simplest content that proves the pattern, then link out to variants only when a team asks for them twice.

Assign page ownership

Every published page needs an owner and a review date. Old guidance damages trust faster than missing guidance, because teams keep copying it.

Write the thing someone needs five minutes before they paste the component into production.
DOCXComponent page templateUsage, anatomy and review blocksDownloadPDFDesign system kickoff deck24 slides · workshop-readyDownload
04 · Adoption & change managementMake the system the path of least resistance, not a mandate.