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Step Guides

Step Guides are the finished product of context engineering. They are structured, procedural documents that AI agents actually use to help users.

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The Key Distinction

Remember: Knowledge documents are raw materials. Step Guides are the processed, AI-ready output.
  • Knowledge: What you collect (ingredients)
  • Step Guides: What AI uses (finished dish)

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What Makes a Step Guide?

Step Guides are:

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Structured

  • Clear step-by-step format
  • Consistent organization
  • Predictable layout

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Procedural

  • Action-oriented instructions
  • Decision points clearly marked
  • Outcomes specified

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AI-Ready

  • Written for AI consumption
  • Unambiguous language
  • Complete information

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Versioned

  • Track changes over time
  • Historical versions preserved
  • Clear change documentation

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One Guide Per Scenario

Every scenario gets exactly one Step Guide. This 1:1 relationship ensures:
  • No ambiguity: AI knows exactly which guide to use
  • Clear maintenance: Updates go to one place
  • Consistent responses: Same situation, same procedure

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The Writing Process

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1. Gather Your References

Before writing, collect:
  • Knowledge documents linked to the scenario
  • The scenario’s description
  • Any existing procedures or notes

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2. Understand the Goal

What should happen when this guide is followed correctly?
  • What’s the desired outcome?
  • What does success look like?

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3. Write the Steps

Create clear, actionable instructions:
  • Start with prerequisites
  • Provide step-by-step actions
  • Include decision points
  • Define escalation criteria

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4. Test and Refine

Review the guide:
  • Can you follow it without confusion?
  • Does it cover edge cases?
  • Is anything ambiguous?

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Step Guide Structure

A typical Step Guide includes: 
Title: [Clear, action-oriented title]

Description: When and why to use this guide

Prerequisites:
- What's needed before starting
- Required access or permissions

Steps:
1. First action
2. Second action
3. Decision point: If X, do Y; if Z, do W
4. Continue...

Escalation:
- When to escalate
- Who to escalate to

Related Information:
- Links to policies or references

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Currently Manual

Today, writing Step Guides is a manual process. You:
  1. Review the linked knowledge
  2. Synthesize the information
  3. Write clear procedures
Coming Soon: AI-assisted guide writing will use your mapped knowledge to help generate initial drafts. You’ll review and refine rather than write from scratch.

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Why Step Guides Matter

When an AI agent encounters a scenario:
  1. Identifies the scenario from the user’s inquiry
  2. Retrieves the linked Step Guide
  3. Follows the procedure to help the user
  4. Applies the guidance consistently
Good Step Guides = Consistent, accurate AI responses

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Quality Standards

Step Guides should be:
QualityDescription
CompleteAll steps included, no gaps
ClearUnambiguous language, specific actions
AccurateReflects current policies and procedures
ConsistentSame format across all guides
MaintainedUpdated when procedures change

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Next Steps

  1. Writing Step Guides - Detailed writing guidance
  2. Version Management - Managing updates over time