We're doing something like this internally. Our monorepo context files were much too big, so we built a progressive tree of fragments to load up for different tasks.
I am struck by how much these kinds of context documents resemble normal developer documentation, but actually useful and task-oriented. What was the barrier to creating these documents before?
Three theories on why this is so different:
1) The feedback loop was too long. If you wrote some docs, you might never learn if they were any good. If you did, it might be years later. And if you changed them, doing an A/B test was impractical. Now, you can write up a context markdown, ask Claude to do something, and iterate in minutes.
2) The tools can help build them. Building good docs was always hard. Especially if you take the time to include examples, urls, etc. that make the documentation truly useful. These tools reduce this cost.
3) Many programmers are egotists. Documentation that helps other people doesn't generate internal motivation. But documentation that allows you to better harness a computer minion to your will is attractive.
Any other theories?
I am struck by how much these kinds of context documents resemble normal developer documentation, but actually useful and task-oriented. What was the barrier to creating these documents before?
Three theories on why this is so different:
1) The feedback loop was too long. If you wrote some docs, you might never learn if they were any good. If you did, it might be years later. And if you changed them, doing an A/B test was impractical. Now, you can write up a context markdown, ask Claude to do something, and iterate in minutes.
2) The tools can help build them. Building good docs was always hard. Especially if you take the time to include examples, urls, etc. that make the documentation truly useful. These tools reduce this cost.
3) Many programmers are egotists. Documentation that helps other people doesn't generate internal motivation. But documentation that allows you to better harness a computer minion to your will is attractive.
Any other theories?