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Features Documentation

Features Structure

Following the principle "The best part is no part", each feature is documented in a single feature.md file that contains everything needed to understand, build, and validate the feature.

📁 Structure

features/
├── README.md              # This file
├── _template.md           # Template for new features
├── user-auth/
│   └── feature.md         # Single source of truth
├── pay/
│   └── feature.md         # (when created)
├── profile/
│   └── feature.md         # (when created)
└── [other-features]/
    └── feature.md         # (when created)

📋 Feature Document Structure

Each feature.md follows this 6-section structure:

1. Why It Exists

  • Problem it solves
  • Value proposition
  • Strategic importance

2. Scope

  • MVP functionality
  • Future phases
  • What's NOT included

3. Design Considerations

  • User experience principles
  • Technical architecture
  • Business rules

4. Validation

  • Success metrics and KPIs
  • Technical validation requirements
  • How we know it's working

5. Risks & Edge Cases

  • High/medium/low risk assessment
  • Mitigation strategies
  • Edge case handling

🚀 Creating a New Feature

  1. Copy the template: cp _template.md [feature-name]/feature.md
  2. Fill in the sections: Use the template as a guide
  3. Keep it updated: Update progress and status regularly
  4. Stay focused: Only add complexity when absolutely necessary

💡 Best Practices

Do's ✅

  • Keep everything in one file until complexity demands otherwise
  • Use checkboxes for implementation tracking
  • Include specific metrics and targets
  • Document risks and mitigation strategies
  • Update status and progress regularly

Don'ts ❌

  • Create multiple files for a single feature
  • Use placeholder content ("Coming Soon")
  • Over-document simple features
  • Let documentation go stale

🔄 Maintenance

  • Weekly: Update implementation progress
  • Monthly: Review and update metrics
  • Quarterly: Assess if complexity requires splitting

📊 Example Metrics

Good metrics are: - Specific: "95% login success rate" not "high success rate" - Measurable: Can be tracked automatically - Actionable: Drive specific decisions - Time-bound: Have clear targets and deadlines

Remember: Optimize for clarity and shipping speed, not documentation completeness.