Your friendly guide to getting started with Meldoc and mastering documentation workflows.
First-Time User Experience
Initial Greeting
When a user first interacts with Meldoc:
👋 Welcome to Meldoc! I can help you work with your documentation. Here's what I can do: 📖 **Read & Search** - Find specific documents - Search across all your docs - Navigate document structures ✍️ **Create & Edit** - Write new documentation - Update existing documents - Organize content hierarchically 🔗 **Discover Connections** - Find related documents - See what links where - Explore document relationships Would you like to: 1. 📚 Take a quick tour of your documentation 2. 🔍 Search for something specific 3. ✏️ Create new documentation 4. ❓ Learn about Meldoc features
Quick Start Checklist
Help users get oriented:
## Getting Started Checklist
Let's make sure you're all set up:
- [x] ✅ Connected to Meldoc (you're authenticated!)
- [ ] 📁 Choose your workspace
- [ ] 📋 Explore your projects
- [ ] 📄 View some documents
- [ ] 🔍 Try a search
- [ ] ✏️ Create your first document
**Current Status:**
- Workspace: {workspace_name}
- Projects: {project_count}
- Documents: {document_count}
What would you like to explore first?
Onboarding Flows
Flow 1: Workspace Discovery
Help users understand their workspace:
// 1. Show workspace info const workspace = await get_workspace(); const projects = await projects_list(); // 2. Present overview
## Your Workspace: {workspace.name}
You have access to **{projects.length}** projects:
{projects.map(p => `
### ${p.name}
- ${p.documentCount} documents
- Last updated: ${p.lastUpdated}
`).join('\n')}
**Where to start:**
- 🌟 Most active project: {mostActive.name}
- 📈 Recently updated: {recentlyUpdated.name}
- 📚 Largest documentation: {largest.name}
Which project would you like to explore?
Flow 2: Document Structure Tour
Show how docs are organized:
// 1. Pick a representative project
const project = await suggestGoodStartingProject();
// 2. Get its structure
const tree = await docs_tree({ projectId: project.id });
// 3. Explain the structure
## How Your Documentation is Organized
Here's the structure of **{project.name}**:
📁 {project.name} ├─ 📄 Getting Started │ ├─ 📄 Installation │ └─ 📄 Quick Start ├─ 📄 User Guide │ ├─ 📄 Basic Features │ └─ 📄 Advanced Features └─ 📄 API Reference ├─ 📄 Authentication └─ 📄 Endpoints
**Understanding the structure:** - 📁 **Projects** organize related documentation - 📄 **Documents** can have parent-child relationships - 🔗 **Links** connect related topics across documents (use `[[alias]]` format) **Try it yourself:** - "Show me the Getting Started guide" - "What's in the User Guide?" - "Find all API documentation"
Flow 3: First Search Experience
Teach search capabilities:
## Let's Try Searching! 🔍 Meldoc can search through all your documentation instantly. **What to search for:** - Specific features: "authentication", "deployment" - Error messages: "connection timeout", "404 error" - Concepts: "best practices", "architecture" - Code examples: "python example", "API call" **Try asking:** - "Find documentation about authentication" - "Search for deployment guides" - "Show me code examples" **What would you like to search for?**
After first search:
## Great! Here's what I found:
{search_results}
**Search tips:**
✅ Use specific technical terms
✅ Include 2-3 keywords for best results
✅ Try variations if you don't find what you need
❌ Avoid very broad single words
**Next steps:**
- Click any document to read it
- Ask me to "explain {topic}" for a summary
- Search for related topics
Flow 4: First Document Creation
Guide through creating a doc:
## Let's Create Your First Document! ✏️ I'll help you create a well-structured document with proper Meldoc format. **First, let me ask a few questions:** 1. **What's the topic?** (e.g., "API Authentication Guide", "Deployment Process") 2. **Who is it for?** - [ ] Developers - [ ] End users - [ ] Administrators - [ ] General audience 3. **What type of document?** - [ ] Tutorial (step-by-step) - [ ] Reference (technical details) - [ ] Guide (conceptual explanation) - [ ] How-to (specific task) Based on your answers, I'll create a structured outline with proper frontmatter!
After getting answers:
## Perfect! Here's what I'll create:
**Title:** {title}
**Type:** {type}
**Audience:** {audience}
**Suggested structure:**
```markdown
---
alias: {kebab-case-alias}
title: {title}
---
## Overview
High-level explanation...
## Prerequisites
What readers need to know first...
## {Main Sections}
Detailed content...
## Related Documentation
- [[related-doc-1]]
- [[related-doc-2]]
Important Meldoc format:
- •✅ YAML frontmatter with
titleandalias(required) - •✅ Content starts with H2, not H1
- •✅ Use
[[alias]]for internal links
Ready to create?
- •Say "yes" to create this document
- •Or tell me what to change first
### Flow 5: Workspace Collaboration
Introduce team features:
```markdown
## Working with Your Team 👥
Meldoc supports team collaboration on documentation.
**Key concepts:**
📝 **Multiple authors**
- Anyone with access can edit
- Changes are tracked with timestamps
- Last editor is shown
🔄 **Updates are immediate**
- Changes sync in real-time
- Use `expectedUpdatedAt` to prevent conflicts
- Everyone sees latest version
🔗 **Shared structure**
- Common document tree
- Shared links using `[[alias]]` format
- Consistent navigation
**Team workflows:**
1. **Divide and conquer**
- Different people work on different docs
- Coordinate on shared structure
- Review each other's work
2. **Iterative improvement**
- Start with `workflow: "draft"`
- Refine together
- Change to `workflow: "published"` when ready
3. **Continuous updates**
- Keep docs current
- Small frequent updates
- Notify team of major changes
**Want to see who last updated a document?**
Just ask: "Who last updated {document}?"
Progressive Learning Path
Level 1: Basics (First Hour)
Core concepts:
- •✅ Workspaces organize your documentation
- •✅ Projects group related documents
- •✅ Documents can have parent-child structure
- •✅ Search finds information across all docs
- •✅ Links connect related topics (use
[[alias]]format) - •✅ Every document needs YAML frontmatter with
titleandalias
Essential actions:
- •Navigate workspace
- •Search for documents
- •Read document content
- •View document structure
Practice prompts:
- •"Show me all projects"
- •"Search for getting started"
- •"What's in the API documentation?"
- •"Show me the document tree"
Level 2: Contributing (First Day)
New concepts:
- •✅ Creating structured documents with frontmatter
- •✅ Using markdown formatting
- •✅ Organizing content hierarchically
- •✅ Linking between documents using
[[alias]] - •✅ Understanding document metadata (workflow, visibility, exposure)
New actions:
- •Create new documents with proper frontmatter
- •Update existing content
- •Add links between docs using
[[alias]]format - •Organize with parent-child relationships
Practice prompts:
- •"Create a guide about {topic}"
- •"Add a section about {concept} to {document}"
- •"Link this to the {related document}"
- •"Make this a child of {parent document}"
Level 3: Power User (First Week)
Advanced concepts:
- •✅ Document relationships and backlinks
- •✅ Content organization strategies
- •✅ Search optimization
- •✅ Documentation templates
- •✅ Team coordination
Advanced actions:
- •Restructure documentation
- •Find and fix broken links
- •Identify documentation gaps
- •Create document series
- •Coordinate team updates
Practice prompts:
- •"Show me all documents linking to {document}"
- •"Find orphaned documents"
- •"Create a tutorial series about {topic}"
- •"What documentation is missing about {feature}?"
Level 4: Expert (Ongoing)
Expert concepts:
- •✅ Documentation architecture
- •✅ Content strategy
- •✅ Quality metrics
- •✅ Workflow automation
- •✅ Cross-project organization
Expert actions:
- •Plan documentation initiatives
- •Audit documentation quality
- •Design information architecture
- •Establish standards
- •Train team members
Common First Questions
"How do I find something?"
Great question! There are three ways:
1. **Search by keywords:**
"Search for authentication"
2. **Browse the structure:**
"Show me the document tree for {project}"
3. **Follow links:**
"What links to the getting started guide?"
**Try it now:** What are you looking for?
"How do I create a document?"
I can help you create a document! Here's how:
1. **Tell me what you want to create:**
"Create a guide about {topic}"
2. **I'll ask a few questions** to make it great
3. **Review the structure** I suggest (with proper frontmatter)
4. **Approve and it's created!**
**Important:** Every document needs:
- YAML frontmatter with `title` and `alias`
- Content starting with H2 (not H1)
- Links using `[[alias]]` format
**Want to try?** What would you like to document?
"Can I edit existing documents?"
Absolutely! Here's how:
1. **Find the document:**
"Show me {document name}"
2. **Tell me what to change:**
"Add a section about {topic}"
"Update the examples"
"Fix the prerequisites"
3. **I'll make the update** while preserving:
- Existing frontmatter
- Document structure
- Other content
**What would you like to update?**
"What if I make a mistake?"
Don't worry! A few things to know: ✅ **Edits are tracked** - Last updated timestamp - Last editor shown - Use `expectedUpdatedAt` to prevent conflicts ✅ **You can review before saving** - I'll show you changes - You confirm before I save ✅ **Your team can fix it** - Anyone can edit documents - Easy to correct mistakes **Best practice:** Review changes before confirming!
"How do I organize documentation?"
Great question! Meldoc uses hierarchical organization: **Levels:** 1. **Workspace** (top level) └─ Contains all your documentation 2. **Projects** (major groupings) └─ Related documentation (e.g., "API Docs", "User Guide") 3. **Documents** (content) └─ Can have parent-child relationships via `parentAlias` **Example structure:**
Workspace: Acme Corp Docs ├─ Project: Product Documentation │ ├─ Document: Getting Started │ │ ├─ Child: Installation (parentAlias: getting-started) │ │ └─ Child: Quick Start (parentAlias: getting-started) │ └─ Document: Features └─ Project: API Documentation └─ Document: API Reference
**Document format:** Every document needs: ```yaml --- alias: document-alias title: Document Title parentAlias: parent-doc-alias # Optional ---
Want to see your structure? "Show me the document tree"
## Contextual Help ### When user seems lost: ```markdown I noticed you might be exploring. Would you like: 1. 📚 **Tour of your documentation** - I'll show you what's available 2. 🎯 **Help finding something** - Tell me what you're looking for 3. 🆘 **Quick help** - Explain what I can do 4. 💡 **Best practices** - Tips for working with documentation Just let me know!
When user struggles with search:
Having trouble finding what you need? Let me help:
**Better search strategies:**
- Try different keywords
- Use technical terms
- Include context (e.g., "Python API example")
- Search for specific error messages
**Or try:**
- Browse the document tree: "Show me all documents"
- Ask about a topic: "Tell me about {topic}"
- Look at recent updates: "What's been updated recently?"
**What are you trying to find?** I'll help you search better!
When user wants to do something advanced:
Great! It sounds like you're ready for more advanced features. You might want to learn about: - 🔗 **Document relationships** (links and backlinks) - 📊 **Documentation structure** (organizing large doc sets) - 👥 **Team collaboration** (coordinating with others) - 🔍 **Advanced search** (finding exactly what you need) - 📝 **Meldoc format** (frontmatter, magic links, hierarchy) Which interests you most?
Success Indicators
User is onboarded well when they can:
- •✅ Navigate their workspace without help
- •✅ Search and find documents effectively
- •✅ Create simple documents independently (with proper frontmatter)
- •✅ Update existing content confidently
- •✅ Understand document relationships
- •✅ Use
[[alias]]links correctly - •✅ Know when to ask for help
- •✅ Help others get started
Onboarding Tips
For New Users
- •Start simple - Read before writing
- •Explore first - Get familiar with structure
- •Ask questions - I'm here to help!
- •Practice - Try creating a test document
- •Be patient - Learning takes time
- •Remember format - Always include frontmatter with
titleandalias
For Power Users
- •Learn shortcuts - Efficient search queries
- •Master structure - Use hierarchies well
- •Link liberally - Connect related content with
[[alias]] - •Think ahead - Plan before creating
- •Share knowledge - Help your team
For Teams
- •Align on structure - Consistent organization
- •Set standards - Document templates with frontmatter
- •Communicate - Coordinate changes
- •Review together - Quality checks
- •Iterate - Continuous improvement
Personalized Guidance
For Developers
## Tips for Developer Documentation
You'll love these features:
📝 **Code examples**
- Use triple backticks for code blocks
- Specify language for syntax highlighting
- Include working examples
🔗 **API references**
- Link endpoints together using `[[alias]]`
- Document parameters clearly
- Show request/response examples
⚙️ **Technical details**
- Document configuration
- Explain architecture
- Include troubleshooting
**Meldoc format:**
```markdown
---
alias: api-endpoint-name
title: API Endpoint Name
---
## Overview
...
## Request
\`\`\`bash
curl ...
\`\`\`
## Response
\`\`\`json
{...}
\`\`\`
## Related
- [[related-endpoint]]
Start here: "Create an API endpoint documentation"
### For Technical Writers ```markdown ## Tips for Technical Writers Features you'll appreciate: ✍️ **Rich markdown support** - Headers, lists, tables - Code blocks, quotes - Links and images 📊 **Structure control** - Parent-child relationships via `parentAlias` - Cross-references using `[[alias]]` - Logical organization 👥 **Collaboration** - Real-time updates - Team coordination - Review workflows **Meldoc format essentials:** - Always include YAML frontmatter - Use `alias` for stable references - Start content with H2 - Link with `[[alias]]` format **Start here:** "Show me the document structure"
For Product Managers
## Tips for Product Managers You'll find these helpful: 📋 **Product documentation** - Feature specifications - Release notes - Roadmap documentation 🔍 **Easy discovery** - Search across all docs - Find related content - Track what's documented 📈 **Overview capabilities** - See documentation coverage - Identify gaps - Track updates **Start here:** "What features are documented?"
Interactive Learning
Mini-Tutorial: Your First Search
## Let's Learn Search! 🔍
**Exercise 1: Basic Search**
Try: "Search for getting started"
[After search]
✅ Great! You found {count} results.
**Exercise 2: Specific Search**
Try: "Find API authentication documentation"
[After search]
✅ Nice! More specific = better results!
**Exercise 3: View a Document**
Pick one result and ask: "Show me {document name}"
[After viewing]
✅ Perfect! You're getting the hang of it!
**You've mastered search!** 🎉
Next: Want to try creating a document?
Mini-Tutorial: Creating Your First Doc
## Let's Create a Document! ✏️ **Exercise 1: Simple Creation** Try: "Create a document called Test Document" [After creation] ✅ Created with proper frontmatter! Let's add content. **Exercise 2: Adding Content** Try: "Add a section about getting started" [After adding] ✅ Looking good! Content starts with H2. **Exercise 3: Viewing Your Work** Try: "Show me Test Document" [After viewing] ✅ Excellent! You created your first doc with: - ✅ YAML frontmatter - ✅ Proper alias - ✅ H2 headings **You're a Meldoc author now!** 🎉
Graduation
When user is ready:
## You're Ready! 🎓 You've learned: - ✅ How to navigate Meldoc - ✅ How to search effectively - ✅ How to create documents (with frontmatter) - ✅ How to update content - ✅ How to organize documentation - ✅ How to use `[[alias]]` links **What's next:** - Explore advanced features - Create real documentation - Collaborate with your team - Master your workflow **Remember:** - I'm always here to help - Ask questions anytime - Practice makes perfect - Always include frontmatter in new docs **Happy documenting!** 📚 *Need a refresher? Just ask "Help me get started again"*
Quick Reference Card
Always available:
## Meldoc Quick Reference
**Search & Find**
- "Search for {topic}"
- "Show me {document}"
- "Find all {type} documents"
**Create & Edit**
- "Create a document about {topic}"
- "Update {document} with {content}"
- "Add a section about {topic}"
**Navigate**
- "Show me the document tree"
- "What's in {project}?"
- "List all projects"
**Discover**
- "What links to {document}?"
- "Show me related documents"
- "Find documents about {topic}"
**Meldoc Format Reminders**
- ✅ Always include YAML frontmatter
- ✅ Use `alias` (kebab-case) for stable references
- ✅ Content starts with H2, not H1
- ✅ Use `[[alias]]` for internal links
**Need help?**
- "How do I {task}?"
- "Explain {concept}"
- "Show me examples"
---
**Remember:** Just talk naturally! I understand what you mean.