orchestrated-discussions/general-discussion.discussion.md

<!-- DISCUSSION -->
<!-- Title: general discussion -->
<!-- Phase: initial_feedback -->
<!-- Status: OPEN -->
<!-- Created: 2026-01-04T05:36:51Z -->
<!-- Template: brainstorm -->
<!-- Participants: architect, backend, designer, ux, frontend -->

# general discussion

## Context
This i just a general brainstorming discussion.

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*Discussion begins below.*

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Name: rob
I'm trying to think think of a good way of documenting development projects.
What program exist?  I usually put it all in a markdown file.
I'll make a design doc and continue to update it as I'm developing the project. 
Sometimes if the project uh gets really complicated, I make different sections then the design doc gets really big, sometimes I break it up into smaller documents.
This can get a little unruly, you end up with a whole bunch of different documents that you have to navigate through.
You end up with a huge documents that almost become research project to catch up on and to understand.
It's hard to see the entire project all in one place. Sometimes I try to, use uml like plantuml to try to help me to see the entire project.
Those end up being in different files and I have to use a different program to view them. Sometimes I use like SVG files for ui mockups and I had to use a different program to view them.
I find it hard to keep it all together, you end up with documents spread all throughout your project,
some that are for the users to see some of it for the developers, some are for me.
I tried to use things like obsidian, and sometimes I just create entire web pages because you can link different documents but I
haven't found a really good solution where I can view, navigate and edit it all in one solution. what ideas do you have?

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Name: AI-Architect
Parse error
VOTE: NONE

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Name: AI-Backend
Backend feedback: You’re describing a doc hub that unifies markdown, diagrams, and media with seamless navigation/editing. From a backend perspective, I’d focus on a few core contracts and data lifecycles.

- Data model: treat “artifact” as a first-class entity with type (markdown, plantuml, svg, image, link), version history, and metadata (tags, owners, visibility). This allows you to index/search and compose views without scattering files.
- Storage strategy: keep source as text blobs (for diff/merge) and derived renders (SVG/PNG/HTML) as cached artifacts. Store dependencies (diagram includes, embedded assets) to support rebuilds and impact analysis.
- API design: provide explicit endpoints for artifact CRUD, render triggers, and graph queries (e.g., backlinks, referenced-by). You’ll want idempotent render endpoints and async jobs for heavy conversion.
- Permissions: users vs team vs public docs will need ACLs at artifact and folder/tag level. Plan for mixed visibility within a single project.
- Indexing/search: full-text search over markdown + extracted text from diagrams, and a graph index for link navigation. This makes “see the whole project” feasible.
- Sync/import: if you want to work from repo files, provide a sync API that can ingest and reconcile local files into the doc hub, with conflict handling.
- Caching: cache rendered views and link graphs; invalidate on source change. Keep a render queue to avoid spikes.

If you want, I can sketch an API surface or a minimal schema that balances file-based workflows with a unified UI.
VOTE: NONE

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Name: AI-Designer
The core issue you're describing is an **information architecture problem manifesting as a visual/navigation problem**. Let me break down the design challenges:\n\n### Current Pain Points (Design Perspective)\n\n1. **Fragmentation**: Multiple file types (markdown, PlantUML, SVG) scattered across directories creates cognitive load. Each context switch (switching programs) breaks focus.\n\n2. **No Single Source of Truth**: Developers see scattered artifacts rather than a coherent visual model of the system. This creates ambiguity about what's current/canonical.\n\n3. **Scale Problem**: Large documents become unnavigable. You're using document size as your scaling mechanism instead of proper information hierarchy.\n\n4. **No Visual Cross-Referencing**: Diagrams exist separately from prose. A reader can't easily see how a PlantUML diagram relates to specific markdown sections.\n\n### Design Solution Space\n\n**1. Unified Document with Embedded Visuals** (Best for cohesion)\n- Single markdown file as source of truth\n- Inline diagram code that renders on-demand\n- Color-coded sections for different audiences (dev/user/personal notes)\n- Table of contents with jump links\n- *Trade-off*: Single large file, but structured with clear visual hierarchy\n\n**2. Hierarchical Document Structure** (Best for scalability)\n- Index document with clear visual hierarchy\n- Child documents explicitly linked (not scattered)\n- Shared visual identity (consistent headers, color scheme, typography)\n- Breadcrumb navigation to show context\n- *Trade-off*: Multiple files but with intentional architecture\n\n**3. Integrated Development Notebook** (Best for discoverability)\n- Development log with timestamped entries\n- Embedded diagrams and decision records\n- Tags/categories for cross-cutting concerns\n- Search-first navigation\n- *Trade-off*: Requires tooling\n\n### Immediate Design Recommendations\n\n1. **Establish Visual Hierarchy**: Create a template with:\n   - Typography scale (consistent H1-H3 sizing)\n   - Color system (primary/secondary/accent)\n   - Spacing rules and rhythm\n\n2. **Content Zoning**: Visually separate audiences within same document:\n   - User-facing docs in standard style\n   - Developer notes in distinct color/style\n   - Personal thinking in another\n\n3. **Diagram Integration**: Embed diagram source with prose:\n   - Fenced code blocks render inline\n   - Single file, no context switching\n\n4. **Navigation Design**: If multiple documents:\n   - Always show breadcrumbs\n   - Maintain identical navigation UI\n   - Use consistent link styling\n\n### Key Insight\n\nYou need a **designed system**, not just a different tool. Information architecture + visual consistency solves this regardless of platform.\n\nDIAGRAM: diagrams/general-discussion_designer_1.puml

DIAGRAM: diagrams/general-discussion_designer_1.puml
VOTE: READY

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Name: AI-Ux
The user's problem statement highlights a critical UX challenge: the fragmentation of project documentation across various tools and file formats. This leads to significant cognitive load, difficulty in maintaining a holistic view of the project, and a cumbersome navigation experience.

From a UX perspective, the core issue is the lack of a 'single source of truth' and an integrated environment. Users are forced to context-switch frequently, which disrupts their flow and increases the effort required to understand and contribute to a project. The current process is neither intuitive nor efficient.

Key UX pain points identified:
- **High Cognitive Load:** Juggling multiple documents, tools, and mental models for different content types (text, diagrams, UI mockups).
- **Poor Discoverability:** Information is scattered, making it hard to find relevant details quickly.
- **Inefficient Navigation:** Switching between applications to view different file types is a major friction point.
- **Lack of Holistic View:** It's challenging to grasp the entire project's structure and interdependencies when information is siloed.

An ideal solution would prioritize:
1.  **Centralized Access:** A single interface where all documentation (markdown, diagrams, UI assets) resides and is easily accessible.
2.  **Seamless Integration:** The ability to view and, ideally, edit different content types directly within the platform without external tools.
3.  **Intuitive Navigation:** Clear linking and hierarchical organization that allows users to move effortlessly between related pieces of information.
4.  **Visual Overviews:** Interactive diagrams and visual aids that provide a high-level understanding and allow drilling down into details.
5.  **Accessibility:** Ensuring the platform is fully keyboard navigable and compatible with screen readers for all content types.
6.  **Reduced Context Switching:** Minimizing the need to leave the primary environment to perform documentation-related tasks.

DIAGRAM: diagrams/general-discussion_ux_1.puml

DIAGRAM: diagrams/general-discussion_ux_1.puml
VOTE: CHANGES

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Name: AI-Frontend
From a frontend perspective, this problem screams for a unified documentation interface. The core issue is fragmented viewing/editing across multiple formats (markdown, UML, SVG, etc.). A modern single-page application could solve this with:

1. **Component-based rendering**: Different viewers for each format (MarkdownRenderer, UMLRenderer, SVGViewer) in a unified interface
2. **Unified navigation**: Collapsible tree structure showing all docs with real-time search and filtering
3. **Split-pane editing**: Live preview side-by-side with edit capabilities for each format
4. **Progressive enhancement**: Start with basic markdown/UML viewing, add advanced features incrementally
5. **State management**: Centralized store for document structure, active selections, and edit states

The frontend should focus on performance (lazy loading heavy assets like UML diagrams) and accessibility (keyboard navigation, screen reader support for complex diagrams).

DIAGRAM: diagrams/general-discussion_frontend_1.puml

DIAGRAM: diagrams/general-discussion_frontend_1.puml
VOTE: CHANGES