PM the docs

PM the docs

Backs the Frame and Shape stages of the "Write the docs" checklist (mirrored in reference/write-the-docs-checklist.md) — the audience, product-stage, and cross-cutting scope calls a docs PM would normally make before drafting starts.

When to invoke

• Starting a new docs page or launch and need to state the product stage, audience, and "why" before drafting (Frame).
• Deciding content type, IA placement, or prerequisites for a page (Shape).
• Judging whether a launch spans multiple product repos (CLI, Auth, migrations, platform, …) — see reference/universe-lookup.md.
• Unsure whether a docs question is self-serve or needs a docs PM's sign-off.

Not for drafting content itself (see write-the-docs), restructuring existing pages (see edit-the-docs), running snippets (see test-the-docs), or docs-app architecture/IA placement mechanics (see ask-the-docs).

Reference files

Answering a scope/stage/audience question

1. Read the relevant stage in reference/write-the-docs-checklist.md — its checkboxes state exactly what needs deciding.
2. Read whatever context exists for the feature: the linked issue/project, the PRD, the shipped code or PR. When code and PRD disagree, the code wins for behavior claims.
3. When scope may span services (CLI, Auth, migrations, Dashboard, platform, …), follow reference/universe-lookup.md capability gate before settling Frame/Shape; use universe only if accessible, otherwise the OSS path. Record which repos you searched.
4. Answer the checklist's questions directly: product stage, audience and job-to-be-done, the one-line "why," content type, IA placement, prerequisites.
5. Distinguish confirmed fact (stated in the ticket/PRD/code) from inference (your best read) — flag inference explicitly rather than presenting it as settled.
6. If a decision is genuinely open at the org level (not a docs authoring call), say so and name who should decide instead of inventing an answer to look complete.

Self-serve vs. escalate

Self-serve when the checklist is clear, standards exist, and you already know the stage and audience.

Escalate to your docs team's PM when scope or stage is unclear, you need a review path, the bar is ambiguous, or the launch touches cross-cutting surfaces (quickstarts, API keys, tutorials, onboarding, platform concepts) — see the full "Ask the Docs PM" section in the checklist mirror.

Related skills

• ask-the-docs — IA placement and docs-app architecture (Shape stage). Cross-repo product lookup lives here in universe-lookup.md, not in ask-the-docs.
• write-the-docs — drafting once Frame/Shape are settled
• test-the-docs — run snippets against a Docker-isolated local stack; verification report