Agent-skills provider-docs

Create, update, and review Terraform provider documentation for Terraform Registry using HashiCorp-recommended patterns, tfplugindocs templates, and schema descriptions. Use when adding or changing provider configuration, resources, data sources, ephemeral resources, list resources, functions, or guides; when validating generated docs; and when troubleshooting missing or incorrect Registry documentation.

install
source · Clone the upstream repo
git clone https://github.com/hashicorp/agent-skills
Claude Code · Install into ~/.claude/skills/
T=$(mktemp -d) && git clone --depth=1 https://github.com/hashicorp/agent-skills "$T" && mkdir -p ~/.claude/skills && cp -r "$T/terraform/provider-development/skills/provider-docs" ~/.claude/skills/hashicorp-agent-skills-provider-docs && rm -rf "$T"
manifest: terraform/provider-development/skills/provider-docs/SKILL.md
source content

Terraform Provider Docs

Follow This Workflow

  1. Confirm scope and documentation targets.
  • Map code changes to the exact doc targets: provider index, resources, data sources, ephemeral resources, list resources, functions, or guides.
  • Decide whether content should come from schema descriptions, templates, or both.
  1. Write schema descriptions first.
  • Add precise user-facing descriptions to schema fields so generated docs stay aligned with behavior.
  • Keep wording specific to argument purpose, constraints, defaults, and computed behavior.
  1. Add or update template files in
    docs/
    .
  • Create only files that map to implemented provider objects.
  • Use HashiCorp-recommended template paths:
    • docs/index.md.tmpl
    • docs/data-sources/<name>.md.tmpl
    • docs/resources/<name>.md.tmpl
    • docs/ephemeral-resources/<name>.md.tmpl
    • docs/list-resources/<name>.md.tmpl
    • docs/functions/<name>.md.tmpl
    • docs/guides/<name>.md.tmpl
  • Keep templates focused on overview and examples; rely on generated sections for field-by-field details.
  1. Generate documentation with
    tfplugindocs
    .
  • Prefer repository defaults when configured:
go generate ./...
  • Otherwise run the generator directly:
go run github.com/hashicorp/terraform-plugin-docs/cmd/tfplugindocs generate --provider-name <provider_name>
  • Re-run generation after every schema or template edit.
  1. Validate the generated markdown.
  • Verify files in
    docs/
    match the current provider implementation.
  • Verify examples are valid HCL and reflect current argument/attribute names.
  • Verify required/optional/computed semantics in docs match schema behavior.
  1. Apply Registry publication rules before release.
  • Use semantic version tags prefixed with
    v
    (for example
    v1.2.3
    ).
  • Create release tags from the default branch.
  • Keep
    terraform-registry-manifest.json
    in the repository root.
  • Expect docs to be versioned in Registry and switchable with the version selector.
  1. Preview or troubleshoot publication when needed.
  • Use the HashiCorp preview process to inspect rendered docs before release when accuracy risk is high.
  • If docs are missing in Registry, check tag format, tag source branch, manifest file presence, and provider publication status.

Enforce Quality Bar

  • Keep documentation behaviorally accurate; never describe unsupported arguments or attributes.
  • Keep examples minimal, realistic, and runnable.
  • Keep terminology and naming consistent across provider, resources, and data sources.
  • Avoid duplicating generated argument/attribute blocks in manual templates.
  • Keep doc changes tied to the same PR as schema/API changes whenever possible.

Load References On Demand

  • Read
    references/hashicorp-provider-docs.md
    for source-backed rules and official links.
  • Load only the sections needed for the current change to keep context lean.