Turn Parser-Visible Flags Into a Config Reference Grid; Sign Defaults and Secret Classes
Configuration reference pages fail when generated prose is treated as the source of production defaults, secret classes, or deprecation windows. A parser can list every flag and environment identifier that the current commit actually references in code. A drafting model can rewrite help-text into clearer purpose sentences without inventing runtime behavior or cluster values. A human still must…
In the process of creating documentation for software configuration, it is essential to distinguish between recoverable and non-recoverable information. Identifiers, flag strings, and in-code help text can be extracted from the codebase using a deterministic walk, making them recoverable. However, production defaults, rotation policy, log-safety, and the calendar window for a breaking rename are not recoverable from the codebase walk.
The current approach of generating documentation from a mix of README files and codebase references leads to a failure mode known as mixed authority. This occurs when the drafting model, such as a chat model, writes the configuration section without proper distinction between public flags and credentials. As a result, secret-bearing names are copied into example blocks, and deprecated switches remain documented even after their removal.
To address this issue, a clear ownership matrix should be established for every configuration reference generated by this workflow. The matrix should differentiate the source of truth for each cell in the configuration reference page. Cells marked "compile" come from parsers and literal references in the codebase, while cells marked "draft" may be filled by a model but still require human review. Cells marked "signed" must remain empty or labeled as "UNSIGNED" until a named reviewer has completed their review.
The workflow for generating documentation using this method involves freezing identifiers extracted from parsers, rather than from chat output. Start from the same commit intended for documentation, as configuration names can change across branches faster than narrative README sections. Extract identifiers using a script that can be rerun in CI, and treat chat output as non-facts until a reviewer merges selected sentences into the draft column.
By following this workflow and adhering to the ownership matrix, documentation generated through this process will have a clear distinction between recoverable and non-recoverable information, reducing the risk of false operational claims and mixed authority in the final documentation.
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