Elixir Documentation Review Skill

Elixir Documentation Review

Quick Reference

| Issue Type | Reference | |------------|-----------| | @moduledoc, @doc quality, anti-patterns | references/doc-quality.md | | @spec, @type, @typedoc coverage | references/spec-coverage.md |

Review Checklist

Module Documentation

[ ] All public modules have @moduledoc
[ ] First-line summary is concise (one line, used by tools as summary)
[ ] @moduledoc includes ## Examples where appropriate
[ ] @moduledoc false only on internal/implementation modules

Function Documentation

[ ] All public functions have @doc
[ ] All public functions have @spec
[ ] @doc describes return values clearly
[ ] Multi-clause functions documented before first clause
[ ] Function head declared when arg names need clarification

Doctests

[ ] Doctests present for pure, deterministic functions
[ ] No doctests for side-effectful operations (DB, HTTP, etc.)
[ ] Doctests actually run (module included in test file)

Cross-References

[ ] Module references use backtick auto-linking (MyModule)
[ ] Function refs use proper arity format (function/2)
[ ] Type refs use t: prefix (t:typename/0)
[ ] No plain-text references where auto-links are possible

Metadata

[ ] @since annotations on new public API additions
[ ] @deprecated with migration guidance where appropriate

Valid Patterns (Do NOT Flag)

@doc false on callback implementations - Documented at behaviour level
@doc false on protocol implementations - Protocol docs cover the intent
Missing @spec on private functions - @spec optional for internals
Short @moduledoc without ## Examples on simple utility modules - Not every module needs examples
Using @impl true without separate @doc - Inherits documentation from behaviour

Context-Sensitive Rules

| Issue | Flag ONLY IF | |-------|--------------| | Missing @moduledoc | Module is public AND not a protocol impl | | Missing @spec | Function is public AND exported | | Missing doctests | Function is pure AND deterministic | | Generic @doc | Doc restates function name without adding value |

Gates (sequenced — do not skip)

Work in order. Do not draft or ship a finding until the prior step passes.

Scope lock — Pass when: You listed the exact .ex/.exs file paths (or Module names) under review; no vague “the project” scope.
Full-context read — Pass when: For each candidate issue, you read the full surrounding definition (all clauses for multi-clause functions; full @moduledoc block for module-level claims), not only a diff hunk or search snippet.
Evidence bundle — Pass when: Every draft finding uses the [FILE:LINE] ISSUE_TITLE header (line range allowed) and includes a verbatim quote or pointer to the @doc / @spec / doctest text in question. Module.function/arity may appear as supporting context but does not replace the [FILE:LINE] anchor. For “doctest fails” claims, Pass when: you cite mix test output for the relevant file or line, or the exact error string.
Protocol before report — Pass when: You loaded and followed review-verification-protocol (its Pre-Report checklist) before finalizing the issue list—not after.

When to Load References

Reviewing @moduledoc or @doc quality, seeing anti-patterns -> doc-quality.md
Reviewing @spec, @type, or @typedoc coverage -> spec-coverage.md

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