# Documentation Standard And Index

## Scope
This index defines documentation layout, read order, and alignment rules for the project.

## How To Use This File
1. Use this file as the starting point for onboarding and reviews.
2. Prefer updating existing docs instead of creating duplicates.
3. Keep process docs and product docs synchronized when behavior changes.

## Alignment Standard
1. Process and policy docs use `Must` / `Should` / `Could` sections.
2. Docs with acceptance criteria include a `Sign-Off Record` section.
3. Cross-document links should be relative and valid from the current file location.
4. Changed docs should keep `*Orig.md` backup copies for upgrade-safe review.

## Core Product Docs
1. [docs/REQUIREMENTS.md](REQUIREMENTS.md)
2. [docs/ARCHITECTURE.md](ARCHITECTURE.md)
3. [docs/USER_GUIDE.md](USER_GUIDE.md)
4. [docs/PROGRAMMER_GUIDE.md](PROGRAMMER_GUIDE.md)
5. [docs/FUNCTION_DEFINITIONS.md](FUNCTION_DEFINITIONS.md)
6. [docs/IMPROVEMENT_RECOMMENDATIONS.md](IMPROVEMENT_RECOMMENDATIONS.md)
7. [docs/CODING_STANDARDS.md](CODING_STANDARDS.md)
8. [docs/RUNTIME_ERROR_AND_DEBUG_POLICY.md](RUNTIME_ERROR_AND_DEBUG_POLICY.md)
9. [docs/TASKS.md](TASKS.md)

## Project Process Docs
1. [../CONTRIBUTING.md](../CONTRIBUTING.md)
2. [../SECURITY.md](../SECURITY.md)
3. [docs/TESTING_RULES.md](TESTING_RULES.md)
4. [docs/WORKING_ENVIRONMENT.md](WORKING_ENVIRONMENT.md)
5. [docs/PROJECT_GOVERNANCE.md](PROJECT_GOVERNANCE.md)
6. [docs/CODING_STANDARDS.md](CODING_STANDARDS.md)
7. [docs/RUNTIME_ERROR_AND_DEBUG_POLICY.md](RUNTIME_ERROR_AND_DEBUG_POLICY.md)

## Suggested Read Order
1. [docs/WORKING_ENVIRONMENT.md](WORKING_ENVIRONMENT.md)
2. [docs/PROGRAMMER_GUIDE.md](PROGRAMMER_GUIDE.md)
3. [../CONTRIBUTING.md](../CONTRIBUTING.md)
4. [docs/REQUIREMENTS.md](REQUIREMENTS.md)
5. [../SECURITY.md](../SECURITY.md)
6. [docs/TESTING_RULES.md](TESTING_RULES.md)
7. [docs/CODING_STANDARDS.md](CODING_STANDARDS.md)
8. [docs/RUNTIME_ERROR_AND_DEBUG_POLICY.md](RUNTIME_ERROR_AND_DEBUG_POLICY.md)
9. [docs/TASKS.md](TASKS.md)
10. [docs/ARCHITECTURE.md](ARCHITECTURE.md)