Front-Load Useful Point

DOCS-FRONT-LOAD-USEFUL-POINT

Summary

Put the decision, command, invariant, or warning before broad setup. Readers and agents can then use the page without hunting through introductory prose.

Rule

Front-load the useful point.

Why

Readers scan docs for the decision, command, invariant, or warning that matters. If the first paragraph only says what the page will do or gives broad motivation, both humans and agents must search before they can use the page.

Helps

  • Improves scanning and makes important commands, contracts, and caveats harder to miss.

Limits

Narrative setup is useful when context changes interpretation. Put that setup after the concrete point or make the first sentence carry both context and conclusion.

Agent Instruction

Front-load the useful point because readers scan docs for the decision, command, invariant, or warning
that matters.

Mechanisms

Supported by first-paragraph review, heading review, task-first README structure, and PR feedback that asks what the reader should learn first.

References