# Contributor Guidelines

**Last Updated:** 2025-01-20  
**Document Version:** 1.0  
**Status:** Active Documentation

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## Overview

This document provides guidelines for contributing to the documentation, including style standards, review process, and approval workflow.

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## Style Guide Reference

**Primary Reference:**
- [DOCUMENTATION_STYLE_GUIDE.md](DOCUMENTATION_STYLE_GUIDE.md) ⭐⭐⭐

**Key Standards:**
- File naming: `UPPERCASE_WITH_UNDERSCORES.md`
- Headers: Include Last Updated, Document Version, Status
- Cross-references: Use Related Documentation sections
- Code blocks: Include language identifiers and expected output

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## Contribution Process

### Step 1: Identify Need

**Ways to contribute:**
- Fix errors or outdated information
- Add missing documentation
- Improve existing documentation
- Add examples or use cases
- Create diagrams or visualizations

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### Step 2: Follow Standards

**Before contributing:**
1. Read [DOCUMENTATION_STYLE_GUIDE.md](DOCUMENTATION_STYLE_GUIDE.md)
2. Review similar documents for consistency
3. Use templates where available
4. Follow naming conventions

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### Step 3: Create/Update Document

**For new documents:**
- Use appropriate directory structure
- Follow style guide header format
- Include Related Documentation section
- Add to MASTER_INDEX.md

**For updates:**
- Update Last Updated date
- Increment Document Version if significant changes
- Update change log if document has one
- Verify all links still work

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### Step 4: Review and Test

**Self-review checklist:**
- [ ] Follows style guide
- [ ] All links work
- [ ] Code examples tested (if applicable)
- [ ] No placeholder content
- [ ] Proper cross-references
- [ ] Added to index files

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### Step 5: Submit for Review

**Review process:**
1. Create pull request or notify team
2. Include description of changes
3. Reference related issues/tasks
4. Wait for review approval

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## Approval Workflow

### Review Levels

**Level 1: Self-Review**
- Minor corrections
- Formatting fixes
- Link updates

**Level 2: Peer Review**
- New documents
- Significant updates
- Configuration changes

**Level 3: Team Review**
- Architecture changes
- Major procedure changes
- Policy updates

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## Examples and Templates

### New Document Template

```markdown
# Document Title

**Navigation:** [Home](../README.md) > [Category](README.md) > Document Title

**Last Updated:** YYYY-MM-DD  
**Document Version:** 1.0  
**Status:** 🟢 Active Documentation

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## Overview

[Document purpose and scope]

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[Content sections]

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## Related Documentation

- **[Related Doc 1](path/to/doc1.md)** ⭐⭐⭐ - Description
- **[Related Doc 2](path/to/doc2.md)** ⭐⭐ - Description

---

**Last Updated:** YYYY-MM-DD  
**Review Cycle:** [Monthly/Quarterly/As Needed]
```

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## Common Contribution Types

### Adding Examples

**Guidelines:**
- Use real-world scenarios
- Include expected outputs
- Test examples before documenting
- Update if procedures change

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### Fixing Errors

**Process:**
1. Identify error
2. Verify correct information
3. Update document
4. Update related documents if needed
5. Test fix

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### Adding Diagrams

**Guidelines:**
- Use Mermaid for new diagrams
- Follow diagram standards
- Reference in text
- Update visual index

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## Related Documentation

- **[DOCUMENTATION_STYLE_GUIDE.md](DOCUMENTATION_STYLE_GUIDE.md)** ⭐⭐⭐ - Style guide
- **[MASTER_INDEX.md](MASTER_INDEX.md)** ⭐⭐⭐ - Documentation index
- **[MAINTENANCE_REVIEW_SCHEDULE.md](MAINTENANCE_REVIEW_SCHEDULE.md)** ⭐ - Review schedule

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**Last Updated:** 2025-01-20  
**Review Cycle:** Quarterly