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Reference documentation patterns for API and symbol documentation. Use when writing reference docs, API docs, parameter tables, or technical specifications. Triggers on reference docs, API reference, function reference, parameters table, symbol documentation.
npx skill4agent add existential-birds/beagle reference-docsdocs-style---
title: "[Symbol/API Name]"
description: "One-line description of what it does"
---
# [Name]
Brief description (1-2 sentences). State what it is and its primary purpose.
## Parameters
| Name | Type | Required | Description |
|------|------|----------|-------------|
| `param1` | `string` | Yes | What this parameter controls |
| `param2` | `number` | No | Optional behavior modification. Default: `10` |
## Returns
| Type | Description |
|------|-------------|
| `ReturnType` | What the function returns and when |
## Example
```language
import { symbolName } from 'package';
// Complete, runnable example showing common use case
const result = symbolName({
param1: 'realistic-value',
param2: 42
});
console.log(result);
// Expected output: { ... }
## Writing Principles
### Brevity Over Explanation
- State facts, not rationale
- Avoid "why" - save that for Explanation docs
- Cut unnecessary words
**Do:**
```markdown
Returns the user's display name.This function is useful when you need to get the user's display name
because it handles all the edge cases for you automatically.| Name | Type | Description |
|------|------|-------------|
| `userId` | `string` | Unique user identifier |
| `options` | `Options` | Configuration object |The first parameter is `userId`, which should be a string containing
the unique user identifier. The second parameter is `options`, which
is an Options object containing the configuration.## Example
### Basic Usage
```typescript
const user = await getUser('user-123');
console.log(user.name);const user = await getUser('user-123', {
includeMetadata: true,
fields: ['name', 'email', 'role']
});
### Include Setup and Context
```markdown
```typescript
import { Client } from '@example/sdk';
// Initialize client (required once per application)
const client = new Client({ apiKey: process.env.API_KEY });
// Now use the function
const result = await client.users.list();
### Use Realistic Values
**Do:** `userId: 'usr_a1b2c3d4'`
**Avoid:** `userId: 'foo'`
**Do:** `email: 'jane.smith@company.com'`
**Avoid:** `email: 'test@test.com'`
## Parameter Documentation Patterns
### Required vs Optional
Clearly indicate which parameters are required:
```markdown
| Name | Type | Required | Default | Description |
|------|------|----------|---------|-------------|
| `apiKey` | `string` | Yes | - | Your API key |
| `timeout` | `number` | No | `30000` | Request timeout in ms |
| `retries` | `number` | No | `3` | Number of retry attempts |## Parameters
| Name | Type | Required | Description |
|------|------|----------|-------------|
| `options` | `UserOptions` | No | Configuration options |
### UserOptions
| Property | Type | Required | Description |
|----------|------|----------|-------------|
| `includeDeleted` | `boolean` | No | Include soft-deleted users |
| `fields` | `string[]` | No | Fields to return |
| `limit` | `number` | No | Maximum results (default: 100) || Name | Type | Values | Description |
|------|------|--------|-------------|
| `status` | `string` | `active`, `pending`, `suspended` | User account status |## Returns
`User` - The requested user object, or `null` if not found.## Returns
| Property | Type | Description |
|----------|------|-------------|
| `data` | `User[]` | Array of user objects |
| `pagination` | `Pagination` | Pagination metadata |
| `total` | `number` | Total matching records |## Errors
| Error | Condition |
|-------|-----------|
| `NotFoundError` | User does not exist |
| `UnauthorizedError` | Invalid or expired API key |
| `RateLimitError` | Too many requests |## Endpoint
```http
GET /api/v1/users/{userId}| Name | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| | The user's unique identifier |
| Name | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| | No | Comma-separated list of fields |
| Name | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | Bearer token |
| No | Request tracking ID |
{
"id": "usr_a1b2c3d4",
"name": "Jane Smith",
"email": "jane@company.com"
}
## Component/Props Reference
For UI components:
```markdown
## Props
| Prop | Type | Default | Description |
|------|------|---------|-------------|
| `variant` | `'primary' \| 'secondary'` | `'primary'` | Visual style |
| `size` | `'sm' \| 'md' \| 'lg'` | `'md'` | Button size |
| `disabled` | `boolean` | `false` | Disable interactions |
| `onClick` | `() => void` | - | Click handler |
## Slots
| Name | Description |
|------|-------------|
| `default` | Button content |
| `icon` | Icon to display before text |## Related
- [createUser](/reference/create-user) - Create a new user
- [updateUser](/reference/update-user) - Modify user properties
- [deleteUser](/reference/delete-user) - Remove a user
- [User Authentication Guide](/guides/authentication) - How authentication works