How to Use AI to Write Technical Documentation in 2026 (ADRs, Runbooks, RFCs)

Quick Answer

AI writes strong first drafts of ADRs, RFCs, runbooks, and architecture docs when you provide structure (via templates), context (code + diagrams), and audience. Always human-edit for accuracy.

• Templates beat free-form prompts every time
• AI is better at rewriting than drafting from scratch — sketch bullets first
• Runbooks must be tested by someone unfamiliar with the system

What You'll Need

• A docs home: Fumadocs, Docusaurus, MkDocs, Notion
• Templates for each doc type
• AI IDE with access to your codebase
• Review process (PR-based for docs)

Steps

1. Standardize templates. ADRs (Michael Nygard format), RFCs (Rust-lang style), runbooks (SRE Google style).
2. Provide context. Paste relevant code, architecture diagrams (Mermaid), and existing docs.
3. Sketch bullets. Write 10 bullets covering what you want — AI expands them better than free-form.
4. Generate the draft. Prompt: Using this ADR template, write an ADR for choosing pgvector over Qdrant.
5. Add diagrams. Ask for Mermaid: Create a sequence diagram for this login flow.
6. Human edit for accuracy. Especially numbers, dates, and decisions.
7. Review with an outsider. Fresh eyes catch unclear passages.
8. Version with code. Docs-as-code: MDX in Git, reviewed via PR.

Common Mistakes

• Vague prompts. Write docs for my API produces generic fluff.
• Skipping decision rationale. ADRs must explain why alternatives were rejected.
• Untested runbooks. Runbooks that haven't been exercised are fiction.
• AI-invented metrics. Always replace fabricated numbers with real ones.

Top Tools

Tool	Use
Fumadocs	MDX-based docs site
Docusaurus	Versioned docs
Mermaid	Diagrams as code
Claude Code	Repo-aware drafting
Vale	Prose linting

Conclusion

AI lowers the activation energy for technical writing. Use templates, sketch bullets, let AI expand, human edit. Misar Blog publishes free templates for ADRs, RFCs, and runbooks.