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api-documentation-discovery

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Use when APIs fail repeatedly with version-related errors (method not found, wrong arguments, unknown flag) or when about to use library APIs with uncertain knowledge - guides finding current, accurate documentation instead of guessing from training data

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pickled-claude-plugins

technicalpickles/pickled-claude-plugins

Plugin

dev-tools

Repository

technicalpickles/pickled-claude-plugins
1stars

plugins/dev-tools/skills/finding-api-docs/SKILL.md

Last Verified

February 3, 2026

Install Skill

Select agents to install to:

Scope:
npx add-skill https://github.com/technicalpickles/pickled-claude-plugins/blob/main/plugins/dev-tools/skills/finding-api-docs/SKILL.md -a claude-code --skill api-documentation-discovery

Installation paths:

Claude
.claude/skills/api-documentation-discovery/
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Instructions

# API Documentation Discovery

## Overview

When your training data conflicts with current API versions, STOP guessing and START discovering. This skill guides you to find current, accurate documentation using language-specific tools.

**Core principle:** Training data ages. Installed versions are truth. Use discovery tools to find what's actually there.

## When to Use

### Reactive Triggers (MUST use after these):
- ✅ 2+ failed attempts with same library/API
- ✅ Error patterns: "method not found", "wrong number of arguments", "unknown flag", "undefined method"
- ✅ Version mismatch symptoms in stack traces

### Proactive Red Flags (STOP and check docs when you notice):
- ⚠️ You're confident about API usage but haven't verified current version
- ⚠️ User is confident but their syntax keeps failing
- ⚠️ You're making "one more tweak" to syntax
- ⚠️ You're using phrases like "should work", "likely correct", "probably just"
- ⚠️ You're pattern-matching from training data without verification
- ⚠️ You're about to claim something is "documented" without checking

**When NOT to use:**
- First attempt with clear error message pointing to fix
- Errors unrelated to API usage (logic bugs, type errors in your code)

## The Discovery Workflow

### Step 1: STOP Guessing
Recognize the trigger. Don't make another attempt based on patterns or user confidence.

### Step 2: Identify Context
- What library/framework is failing? (check imports, stack traces, go.mod/Gemfile)
- What version is installed? (language tools show this)
- What operation are you trying? (the actual goal, not the syntax attempt)

### Step 3: Use Language Discovery Tools
Check language-specific reference for HOW to discover documentation:
- `references/go.md` - Go module exploration
- `references/ruby.md` - Ruby gem exploration

Follow progressive discovery: **docs → examples → source**

### Step 4: Load Framework Reference (if available)
If framework-specific reference exists, load it for curated patterns:
- `ref

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