Vault Documentation System

Overview

This document serves as the central hub for all vault documentation, providing a comprehensive view of the structure, workflows, plugins, settings, and publishing pipeline for this Obsidian vault.

📚 Documentation Structure

Core Documentation Files

• Vault README - Main vault overview and quick start guide
• Vault Structure Guide - Detailed folder structure and organization principles
• Workflow Documentation - Complete workflows for content creation and management
• Plugin Configuration - All plugin settings and configurations
• Publishing Pipeline - Digital Garden publishing process and settings
• Backup Strategy - Backup procedures and disaster recovery
• Changelog - Historical record of all changes (existing)

System Files

• Naming Standards - File and folder naming conventions
• Tagging System - Tag hierarchy and usage guidelines
• Template System - All templates and their usage
• Review Processes - Daily, weekly, and monthly review workflows

Tracking Files

• System Health Dashboard - Current vault statistics and health metrics
• Change Log Tracking - Detailed change tracking with impact analysis
• Performance Metrics - Vault performance and optimization tracking
• Publishing Log - Record of all published content and updates

🎯 Documentation Principles

What to Document

• Structure Changes: Any folder creation, movement, or reorganization
• Workflow Changes: New or modified processes for content creation/management
• Plugin Changes: Installation, configuration, or removal of plugins
• Publishing Changes: Updates to Digital Garden configuration or process
• Template Changes: New templates or modifications to existing ones
• Setting Changes: Obsidian settings, plugin settings, or system preferences

Why to Document

• Future Reference: Understand decisions made and context behind changes
• Troubleshooting: Quickly identify when issues were introduced
• Sharing: Help others understand and replicate the system
• Consistency: Maintain system integrity over time
• Recovery: Facilitate system restoration if needed

How to Document

• Format: Use consistent YAML frontmatter and markdown structure
• Detail Level: Include context, rationale, and impact for all changes
• Cross-Reference: Link related documentation and changes
• Version Control: Track changes through Git and publishing pipeline
• Regular Updates: Maintain documentation as part of regular workflows

🔄 Documentation Workflow

For System Changes

1. Make the change
2. Update relevant documentation immediately
3. Add entry to Change Log Tracking
4. Update System Health Dashboard if needed
5. Publish documentation updates if appropriate

For Content Changes

1. Create/modify content
2. Update Publishing Log for published items
3. Track in weekly review process
4. Update system metrics

For Major Changes

1. Create backup before implementation
2. Document pre-change state
3. Implement change with detailed logging
4. Document post-change state and validation
5. Update all affected documentation
6. Publish documentation updates

📊 System Health Monitoring

Key Metrics to Track

• Total notes by category and status
• Publishing pipeline health
• Plugin performance
• Vault size and growth
• Link health and orphaned notes
• Template usage and effectiveness

Regular Reviews

• Daily: Quick health check via dashboard
• Weekly: Full system review and metrics update
• Monthly: Comprehensive documentation review and updates
• Quarterly: Major system assessment and optimization

🚀 Publishing Integration

Documentation Publishing Strategy

• Core system documentation → Publish to help others
• Personal workflows → Selective publishing
• Technical configurations → Publish with explanations
• Change logs → Publish for transparency
• Templates → Publish as examples

Publishing Checklist for Documentation

• Verify all internal links work
• Remove any personal/sensitive information
• Add appropriate tags and categories
• Set dg-publish: true
• Update navigation if needed
• Test in Digital Garden after publishing

🔗 Quick Links

Essential Documentation

• Vault README - Start here for vault overview
• Workflow Documentation - How to use this vault
• Plugin Configuration - Technical setup details
• Publishing Pipeline - How content gets published

System Management

• System Health Dashboard - Current vault status
• Change Log Tracking - Recent changes and impact
• Backup Strategy - Protection and recovery
• Performance Metrics - Optimization and speed

Daily Use

• Template System - Available templates
• Naming Standards - How to name things
• Tagging System - How to tag content
• Review Processes - Regular maintenance

📋 Documentation Maintenance

Monthly Tasks

• Review and update all documentation for accuracy
• Check for broken links and fix them
• Update system metrics and dashboard
• Archive outdated information
• Plan documentation improvements

When to Update Documentation

• Before making any significant system changes
• After completing any workflow modifications
• When adding or removing plugins
• After publishing pipeline changes
• During regular system reviews

This documentation system is designed to grow and evolve with the vault. Regular maintenance and updates ensure it remains a valuable resource for understanding and managing the knowledge system.