doc-maintenance
Guide documentation updates when changing versions, adding content, or preparing releases
When & Why to Use This Skill
This Claude skill streamlines documentation maintenance and version control workflows for software projects. It provides structured checklists and guidance for updating technical manuals, README files, and metadata when performing version upgrades, adding new features, or preparing for production releases. By ensuring consistency across multiple documentation layers, it helps developers and technical writers maintain accurate, professional, and up-to-date project information.
Use Cases
- Version Synchronization: Automatically identify and update version strings across configuration files (like gradle.properties), READMEs, and user guides during a software update cycle.
- Feature Documentation: Guide the systematic update of documentation when adding new entities or modules, ensuring that specifications, player guides, and marketing descriptions are all updated simultaneously.
- Pre-release Verification: Perform a comprehensive audit of documentation accuracy, license consistency, and build configurations to ensure a project is ready for public release.
- Dependency Management: Streamline the process of adding third-party dependencies by updating build scripts, metadata files (like fabric.mod.json), and THIRD_PARTY_LICENSES.md in a single workflow.
- Content Audit: Verify numeric descriptions and counts (e.g., '10 unique features') across various files to ensure documentation remains accurate after content changes.
| name | doc-maintenance |
|---|---|
| description | Guide documentation updates when changing versions, adding content, or preparing releases |
Documentation Maintenance
Purpose: Guide documentation updates when changing versions, adding content, or preparing releases.
How it works: This skill is automatically activated when you mention tasks related to:
- Updating Minecraft or dependency versions
- Adding new bosses, structures, or items
- Preparing for a release
- Adding new mod dependencies
Simply describe what you want to do, and Claude will reference the appropriate checklist from this skill.
Version Update Checklist
When to use: Updating Minecraft version, mod loader versions, or dependency versions
Files to Update
gradle.properties
- Update version properties
- Example:
minecraft_version=1.21.1
README.md (lines ~47-50)
- Section: "Requirements" → "Dependencies"
- Update all version numbers
docs/player_guide.md (lines ~25-56)
- Sections: "Prerequisites" and "Required Dependencies"
- Update version numbers and download links
docs/developer_guide.md (lines ~32-45)
- Section: "Key Technologies"
- Update version specifications
docs/curseforge_description.md (lines ~125-128)
- Section: "Technical Details" → "Requirements" → "Dependencies"
- Update version numbers
docs/modrinth_description.md (lines ~30-39)
- Sections: "Requirements" (both Fabric and NeoForge)
- Update version numbers
fabric/src/main/resources/fabric.mod.json
- Update
dependssection version ranges - Update
recommendssection if applicable
- Update
neoforge/src/main/resources/META-INF/neoforge.mods.toml
- Update
[[dependencies.chronodawn]]entries - Update
versionRangefields
- Update
THIRD_PARTY_LICENSES.md
- Update version numbers in "Runtime Dependencies" section
- Update: Minecraft, Fabric Loader, Fabric API, NeoForge, Architectury API
- Update "Last updated" date at the bottom
Current Versions (Reference)
Minecraft: 1.21.1
Fabric Loader: 0.17.3+
Fabric API: 0.116.7+
NeoForge: 21.1.209+
Architectury API: 13.0.8+
After updating, update this reference list in this skill file.
Adding a New Boss
When to use: Adding a new boss enemy to the mod
Files to Update
README.md (lines ~25-31)
- Section: "Boss Enemies" list
- Add:
- Boss Name (description, drops Item Name)
docs/player_guide.md
- Section: "Boss Battles"
- Add full entry with:
- Stats (Health, Attack, Defense)
- Abilities (list special attacks)
- Strategy (combat tips)
- Drops (items dropped)
docs/curseforge_description.md (lines ~28-35)
- Section: "Powerful Boss Battles"
- Add boss to appropriate category (mini-boss, mid-boss, final boss)
docs/modrinth_description.md (lines ~105-140)
- Section: "Boss Battles"
- Add boss entry with stats and abilities
specs/chrono-dawn-mod/spec.md
- Add to User Stories if boss is critical to progression
- Add to Requirements section
specs/chrono-dawn-mod/data-model.md
- Add boss entity definition with complete specifications
specs/chrono-dawn-mod/tasks.md
- Add implementation tasks for the boss
Template
### Boss Name (Category)
**Location**: Structure Name
**Stats**:
- Health: XXX HP
- Attack: XX damage
- Defense: XX armor points
**Abilities**:
- Ability 1: Description
- Ability 2: Description
**Strategy**:
- Tip 1
- Tip 2
**Drops**:
- **Item Name**: Description
- Experience points
Adding a New Structure
When to use: Adding a new structure to the mod
Files to Update
README.md (lines ~17-24)
- Section: "Major Structures" list
- Add:
- Structure Name (location, description)
docs/player_guide.md
- Section: "Exploring the Chrono Dawn" or appropriate section
- Add structure description and how to find it
docs/curseforge_description.md (lines ~22-29)
- Section: "Epic Structures"
- Add structure to the list
docs/modrinth_description.md (lines ~89-97)
- Section: "Structures"
- Add structure entry
specs/chrono-dawn-mod/spec.md
- Add to User Stories if structure is critical
- Add to Requirements if needed
specs/chrono-dawn-mod/data-model.md
- Add structure definition (generation rules, loot, etc.)
Adding a New Ultimate Artifact
When to use: Adding a new ultimate artifact item
Files to Update
README.md (line ~32)
- Section: "Ultimate Artifacts" list
- Add:
Item Name (type), Description
docs/player_guide.md
- Section: "Ultimate Artifacts"
- Add full entry with:
- Stats (damage, armor, durability)
- Special Ability (detailed description)
- Recipe (crafting requirements)
docs/curseforge_description.md (lines ~41-46)
- Section: "Ultimate Artifacts"
- Add brief description
docs/modrinth_description.md (lines ~143-167)
- Section: "Ultimate Artifacts"
- Add item entry with ability description
specs/chrono-dawn-mod/data-model.md
- Add item definition with complete specifications
Template
### Item Name (Type)
**Stats**:
- Stat 1: Value
- Stat 2: Value
**Special Ability**: **Ability Name**
- Effect description
- Usage notes
**Recipe**:
\`\`\`
- Ingredient 1
- Ingredient 2
- Ingredient 3
\`\`\`
Updating Content Counts and Lists
When to use: Adding or removing biomes, bosses, structures, wood types, or other countable content
Purpose: Ensure numeric descriptions (e.g., "8 unique biomes", "4 mid-bosses", "three wood types") remain accurate across all documentation
Files to Check
README.md
- Check: Biome count, boss count, structure count, wood type count
- Look for: "8 unique biomes", "Boss Enemies" list length, "Major Structures" list length
docs/player_guide.md
- Check: Biome count, boss count (categorized: mini-boss, mid-bosses, final boss), structure count, wood type count
- Look for: "8 unique biomes", "three wood types", mid-boss descriptions ("4 mid-bosses")
docs/curseforge_description.md
- Check: Biome count, boss count, structure count, artifact count
- Look for: "8 Unique Biomes", boss list lengths, structure list
docs/modrinth_description.md
- Check: Biome count, boss count, structure count, wood type count
- Look for: "8 unique biomes", boss list, structure list
CLAUDE.md
- Check: Current versions list if content affects version compatibility
- Look for: "8 unique biomes" in Recent Changes or Active Technologies
Verification Method
When adding/removing content:
- Search for numeric descriptions (e.g., "8", "four", "4 mid-bosses")
- Verify counts match actual implementation
- Update Table of Contents if section counts change
- Check for phrases like "all X", "both", "each of the Y"
Tip: Use grep -r "8 unique biomes" docs/ to find all occurrences quickly
Adding a New Dependency
When to use: Adding a new mod dependency (required or optional)
Files to Update
gradle.properties
- Add version property if needed
- Example:
new_mod_version=1.0.0
fabric/build.gradle
- Add to
dependenciessection - Use
modImplementation,modApi, ormodCompileOnlyas appropriate
- Add to
neoforge/build.gradle
- Add to
dependenciessection - Use
modImplementation,modApi, ormodCompileOnlyas appropriate
- Add to
fabric/src/main/resources/fabric.mod.json
- Add to
depends(required) orrecommends(optional) - Specify version range
- Add to
neoforge/src/main/resources/META-INF/neoforge.mods.toml
- Add
[[dependencies.chronodawn]]entry - Set
typeto "required" or "optional" - Specify
versionRange
- Add
README.md (lines ~47-50)
- Section: "Requirements" → "Dependencies"
- Add dependency with version and description
docs/player_guide.md (lines ~41-56)
- Section: "Required Dependencies"
- Add numbered entry with links to CurseForge and Modrinth
docs/curseforge_description.md (lines ~125-128)
- Section: "Requirements" → "Dependencies"
- Add dependency to the list
docs/modrinth_description.md (lines ~30-39)
- Sections: "Requirements" (both Fabric and NeoForge)
- Add dependency to both loader sections
THIRD_PARTY_LICENSES.md
- Add new dependency entry to "Runtime Dependencies" or "Development Dependencies" section
- Include: Project name, version, developer/organization, license, URL, license URL
- Add license summary if it's a new license type
- Update "Last updated" date at the bottom
- Research license information from project's GitHub repository or official page
Dependency Type Guidelines
- Required (
depends/required): Mod cannot function without it - Optional (
recommends/optional): Adds features but not essential - Include in JAR: Use
includein Fabric for bundling
Pre-Release Verification
When to use: Before creating a release or publishing to CurseForge/Modrinth
Checklist
Version Consistency
- All documentation files show consistent version numbers
- gradle.properties matches documentation
- fabric.mod.json and neoforge.mods.toml dependencies match gradle files
Documentation Accuracy
- README.md is accurate and up-to-date
- player_guide.md is complete with all features
- developer_guide.md reflects current architecture
- curseforge_description.md ready for publication
- modrinth_description.md ready for publication
Configuration Files
- fabric.mod.json has correct dependencies
- neoforge.mods.toml has correct dependencies
- All dependency versions are tested and working
Build Verification
./gradlew clean buildsucceeds for both loaders- JAR files are generated correctly
- No build warnings or errors
Testing
- All unit tests pass (
./gradlew test) - Manual testing completed (see quickstart.md checklist)
- Both Fabric and NeoForge builds tested in-game
- All unit tests pass (
CHANGELOG (if using)
- CHANGELOG.md exists and is current
- All user-facing changes documented
GitHub Repository
- All changes committed and pushed
- Branch is up-to-date with main/develop
- Tags are ready for release version
Quick Reference
Documentation Files by Purpose
User-Facing:
README.md- Project overview, installation, build instructionsdocs/player_guide.md- Complete gameplay guidedocs/curseforge_description.md- CurseForge mod page contentdocs/modrinth_description.md- Modrinth mod page content
Legal:
LICENSE- Project license (MIT)THIRD_PARTY_LICENSES.md- Dependency licenses and version information
Developer:
docs/developer_guide.md- Development setup and architecturespecs/chrono-dawn-mod/spec.md- Feature specificationspecs/chrono-dawn-mod/data-model.md- Data modelsspecs/chrono-dawn-mod/tasks.md- Implementation tasks
Configuration:
gradle.properties- Version definitionsfabric/src/main/resources/fabric.mod.json- Fabric metadataneoforge/src/main/resources/META-INF/neoforge.mods.toml- NeoForge metadata
Common Line Number References
- README.md Dependencies: ~47-50
- player_guide.md Prerequisites: ~25-56
- developer_guide.md Technologies: ~32-45
- curseforge_description.md Requirements: ~125-128
- modrinth_description.md Requirements: ~30-39
- README.md Boss List: ~25-31
- README.md Structure List: ~17-24
Tips
- Always update in pairs: When updating Fabric configs, update NeoForge configs too
- Test both loaders: Changes to dependencies affect both Fabric and NeoForge differently
- Use search: Use
grepor IDE search to find all occurrences of version numbers - Keep CLAUDE.md current: Update the current versions list after major updates
- Commit frequently: Commit documentation changes separately from code changes
Last Updated: 2025-12-08 (Added THIRD_PARTY_LICENSES.md to maintenance checklists) Maintained by: Chrono Dawn Development Team