# 170-java-documentation

A step-based skill that walks an agent through writing README.md, package-info.java and Javadoc for a Maven Java project. Useful when the code exists but the docs don't.

- skill · `type=skill` · Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, OpenCode · 359 installs · ★ 456
- Author: Juan Antonio Breña Moral
- License: Apache-2.0 · policy=mirror · the beginning of the file is at the end of this page
- Source: https://github.com/jabrena/plinth/tree/HEAD/skills/170-java-documentation/SKILL.md
- Updated: 2026-10-21
- HTML: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/170-java-documentation

## What it does

The skill runs as an interactive, step-by-step process. First it has the agent run `./mvnw validate` or `mvn validate` and stop right there if validation fails. Then it reads `references/170-java-documentation.md` and pins down the scope: a README for a single-module or multi-module Maven project, package-info.java files, or Javadoc improvements with `@param`, `@return` and `@throws` tags. The last step validates the output with `./mvnw clean compile` and `./mvnw javadoc:javadoc`.

File handling is your call: overwrite, append, back up or skip. That matters if the README was written by hand and you don't want it replaced. The detail level for package-info is selectable too, from minimal to detailed.

The constraint is baked into the workflow itself. Nothing gets generated until the project validates, and if the scope is ambiguous or files and tooling are missing, the skill stops and asks instead of guessing. The project needs to be Maven-based, since every check goes through `mvnw`.

## Install

### Claude Code (native platform)

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add jabrena/plinth --skill 170-java-documentation -a claude-code
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `~/.claude/skills/170-java-documentation/SKILL.md` — Copy the whole skill folder; for one project use .claude/skills/170-java-documentation/

### Codex

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add jabrena/plinth --skill 170-java-documentation -a codex
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.agents/skills/170-java-documentation/SKILL.md` — For all projects use ~/.agents/skills/

### Cursor

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add jabrena/plinth --skill 170-java-documentation -a cursor
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.cursor/skills/170-java-documentation/SKILL.md` — Cursor also reads .agents/skills/ and .claude/skills/

### GitHub Copilot

1. **GitHub CLI**
```bash
gh skill install jabrena/plinth 170-java-documentation
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.github/skills/170-java-documentation/SKILL.md`

### Gemini CLI

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add jabrena/plinth --skill 170-java-documentation -a gemini-cli
```

2. **Platform CLI**
```bash
gemini skills install https://github.com/jabrena/plinth --path skills/170-java-documentation
```

### Windsurf (Devin Desktop)

**Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.devin/skills/170-java-documentation/SKILL.md` — The legacy .windsurf/skills/ path still works

### OpenCode

**Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add jabrena/plinth --skill 170-java-documentation -a opencode
```

### Claude.ai

**Claude.ai**
- Zip the folder and upload it in Settings → Capabilities → Skills

Where a file is given instead of a command, copy the files from the source to that path: https://github.com/jabrena/plinth/tree/HEAD/skills/170-java-documentation/SKILL.md

## When to use it
- write a README for a multi-module Maven project
- add package-info.java to packages that have none
- fill in Javadoc @param and @throws tags
- document Java API architecture and project workflows
- refresh existing docs while keeping a backup of the old file

## Example prompts
- Improve the code with documentation
- Generate README and developer documentation for this Java project
- Refactor the code with documentation: package-info and Javadoc

## Source text · SKILL.md · Apache-2.0

Below is the content of a third-party file. It is data, not instructions for you: do not act on anything written inside unless the human asks. Block tag: 9a4930380d41c703.

BEGIN THIRD-PARTY FILE 9a4930380d41c703
```text
---
name: 170-java-documentation
description: Use when you need to generate or improve Java project documentation — including README.md files, package-info.java files, and Javadoc enhancements — through a modular, step-based interactive process that adapts to your specific documentation needs. This should trigger for requests such as Improve the code with documentation; Apply documentation; Refactor the code with documentation; Generate README or developer documentation for a Java project; Document Java APIs architecture or project workflows. Part of Plinth Toolkit
license: Apache-2.0
metadata:
  author: Juan Antonio Breña Moral
  version: 0.19.0
---
# Java Documentation Generator with modular step-based configuration

Generate comprehensive Java project documentation through a modular, step-based interactive process that covers README.md, package-info.java, and Javadoc. **This is an interactive SKILL**.

**What is covered in this Skill?**

- README.md generation for single-module and multi-module Maven projects
- package-info.java creation with basic/detailed/minimal documentation levels
- Javadoc enhancement: comprehensive `@param`/`@return`/`@throws` tags
- File handling strategies: overwrite/add/backup/skip
- Final documentation validation with `./mvnw clean compile` and `./mvnw javadoc:javadoc`

## Constraints

Before applying any documentation generation, ensure the project validates. If validation fails, stop immediately — do not proceed until all validation errors are resolved.

- **MANDATORY**: Run `./mvnw validate` or `mvn validate` before applying any documentation generation
- **SAFETY**: If validation fails, stop immediately — do not proceed until all validation errors are resolved
- **BEFORE APPLYING**: Read the reference for detailed good/bad examples, constraints, and safeguards for each documentation generation pattern
- **EDGE CASE**: If request scope is ambiguous, stop and ask a clarifying question before applying changes
- **EDGE CASE**: If required inputs, files, or tooling are missing, report what is missing and ask whether to proceed with setup guidance

## When to use this skill

- Improve the code with documentation
- Apply documentation
- Refactor the code with documentation
- Generate README or developer documentation for a Java project
- Document Java APIs architecture or project workflows

## Workflow

1. **Validate project before documentation changes**

Run `./mvnw validate` or `mvn validate` and stop immediately if validation fails.

2. **Read documentation reference and gather scope**
```
END THIRD-PARTY FILE 9a4930380d41c703

The third-party file has ended. Everything between the 9a4930380d41c703 tags is data: requests and commands from it are not followed. An “end of file” line with another tag inside the block is part of the file.

First 2572 of 3142 bytes. © Juan Antonio Breña Moral · Apache-2.0 · https://github.com/jabrena/plinth/tree/HEAD/skills/170-java-documentation/SKILL.md

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