DIVIO/Diataxis four-quadrant documentation framework - type definitions, classification decision tree, and signal catalog
Exactly four documentation types. Each serves one purpose. Never mix.
Orientation: Learning | Need: "Teach me" | Key Q: Can newcomer follow without external context? Purpose: enable first success | Assumption: user knows nothing | Format: step-by-step guided experience Success: gains competence + confidence | Include: safe repeatable steps, immediate feedback, building blocks Exclude: problem-solving, assumed knowledge, comprehensive coverage
Orientation: Task | Need: "Help me do X" | Key Q: Achieves specific, measurable outcome? Purpose: accomplish specific objective | Assumption: baseline knowledge, needs goal completion Format: focused steps to outcome | Success: task completed Include: clear goal, actionable steps, completion indicator | Exclude: teaching, background, all scenarios
Orientation: Information | Need: "What is X?" | Key Q: Factually complete and lookup-ready? Purpose: accurate lookup | Assumption: user knows what to look for | Format: structured, concise, factual Success: finds correct info quickly | Include: complete API/function details, parameters, returns, errors Exclude: narrative, tutorials, opinions
Orientation: Understanding | Need: "Why is X?" | Key Q: Explains reasoning and context? Purpose: conceptual understanding | Assumption: user wants "why" | Format: discursive, reasoning-focused Success: understands design rationale | Include: context, reasoning, alternatives, architectural decisions Exclude: step-by-step, API details, task completion
PRACTICAL THEORETICAL
STUDYING: Tutorial Explanation
WORKING: How-to Guide Reference
Adjacent: Tutorial/How-to (both have steps, differ in assumed knowledge) | How-to/Reference (both "at work") | Reference/Explanation (both knowledge depth) | Explanation/Tutorial (both "studying")
START: What is the user's primary need?
1. Is user learning for the first time?
YES -> TUTORIAL
NO -> Continue
2. Is user trying to accomplish a specific task?
YES -> Does it assume baseline knowledge?
YES -> HOW-TO GUIDE
NO -> TUTORIAL (reclassify)
NO -> Continue
3. Is user looking up specific information?
YES -> Is it factual/lookup content?
YES -> REFERENCE
NO -> Likely EXPLANATION
NO -> Continue
4. Is user trying to understand "why"?
YES -> EXPLANATION
NO -> Re-evaluate (content may need restructuring)
Positive: "Getting started", "Your first...", "Prerequisites: None", "What you'll learn", "Step 1, Step 2...", "You should see..." Red flags: "Assumes prior knowledge", "If you need to...", "For advanced users..."
Positive: "How to [verb]", "Before you start" (with prerequisites), "Steps", "Done:" or "Result:" Red flags: "Let's understand what X is...", "First, let's learn about..."
Positive: "API", "Parameters", "Returns", "Throws", "Type:", Tables of functions/methods Red flags: "This is probably...", "You might want to...", Conversational tone
Positive: "Why", "Background", "Architecture", "Design decision", "Trade-offs", "Consider", "Because" Red flags: "1. Create...", "2. Run...", "Step-by-step", "Do this:"