runbooks-structure

# Runbooks - Structure

Creating clear, actionable runbooks for operational tasks, maintenance, and troubleshooting.

## What is a Runbook?

A runbook is step-by-step documentation for operational tasks:

- **Troubleshooting** - Diagnosing and fixing issues
- **Incident Response** - Handling production incidents
- **Maintenance** - Routine operational tasks
- **On-Call** - Reference for on-call engineers

## Basic Runbook Structure

### Minimum Viable Runbook

```markdown
# Service Name: Task/Issue

## Overview
Brief description of what this runbook covers.

## Prerequisites
- Required access/permissions
- Tools needed
- Knowledge required

## Steps

### 1. First Step
Detailed instructions for first action.

### 2. Second Step
Detailed instructions for second action.

## Validation
How to verify the task was completed successfully.

## Rollback (if applicable)
How to undo the changes if needed.
```

## Comprehensive Runbook Template

```markdown
# [Service]: [Task/Issue Title]

**Last Updated:** 2025-01-15
**Owner:** Platform Team
**Severity:** High/Medium/Low
**Estimated Time:** 15 minutes

## Overview

Brief description of the problem or task this runbook addresses.

## When to Use This Runbook

- Alert fired: `high_cpu_usage`
- Customer report: slow response times
- Scheduled maintenance window

## Prerequisites

- [ ] VPN access to production network
- [ ] AWS console access (read/write)
- [ ] kubectl configured for production cluster
- [ ] Slack access to #incidents channel

## Context

### Architecture Overview
Brief explanation of relevant system architecture.

### Common Causes
- Database connection pool exhaustion
- Memory leaks in worker processes
- Third-party API rate limiting

## Diagnosis Steps

### 1. Check System Health

```bash
# Check pod status
kubectl get pods -n production

# Expected output: All pods Running
```

**Decision Point:** If pods are CrashLooping, proceed to step 2. Otherwise, skip to step 3.

### 2. Check Application Logs

```bash
#