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docs: implement persona-based documentation paths (fixes #250)#260

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gyanranjanpanda wants to merge 2 commits intoaboutcode-org:mainfrom
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docs: implement persona-based documentation paths (fixes #250)#260
gyanranjanpanda wants to merge 2 commits intoaboutcode-org:mainfrom
gyanranjanpanda:docs/persona-based-documentation

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@gyanranjanpanda
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Overview

Implements #250 by creating user-centric documentation paths organized around user goals rather than tools.

Changes

New Persona Landing Pages

Created three persona-specific entry points in docs/source/personas/:

  • Legal/Compliance Professionals (legal-compliance.rst)

    • Non-technical language focused on compliance and business outcomes
    • Workflows: license policies, attribution, supplier SBOMs, CRA compliance
  • Security/SCA Professionals (security-researcher.rst)

    • Security-focused language with CVE and PURL terminology
    • Workflows: vulnerability scanning, database queries, SBOM security analysis
  • Developers/Integrators (developer-integrator.rst)

    • Technical language with code examples (bash, Python, YAML)
    • Workflows: CLI usage, API integration, CI/CD pipelines, SBOM automation

Updated Homepage

  • Added "Choose Your Path" section with persona cards
  • Added new "Persona Paths" toctree section
  • All existing sections preserved

Bug Fix

  • Fixed missing underscore in purldb-project.rst label reference

Design Decisions

  • Additive approach: All existing documentation unchanged
  • Cross-persona navigation: Each page links to other personas where relevant
  • Consistent structure: All three personas follow the same format
  • Persona-appropriate language: Each page uses terminology suited to its audience

Verification

  • ✅ Documentation builds with zero warnings
  • ✅ All link checks pass
  • ✅ All style checks (doc8) pass
  • ✅ All persona paths accessible

Acceptance Criteria (from #250)

  • Documentation mapping table created
  • Proposed site map with personas/ directory
  • User journey documents for all three personas

Files Changed

  • 3 new files: persona landing pages (~540 lines)
  • 2 modified files: homepage + label fix
  • Zero breaking changes

Testing

To view locally:

cd docs
make html
open build/html/index.html

Navigate through the "Choose Your Path" section to explore each persona.

Implements issue aboutcode-org#250 by creating user-centric documentation paths
organized around user goals rather than tools.

Changes:
- Add three persona landing pages:
  * Legal/Compliance professionals
  * Security/SCA professionals
  * Developers/Integrators
- Update homepage with 'Choose Your Path' section
- Fix purldb-project label reference

Each persona page uses appropriate language and workflows for its
target audience, with cross-links between personas where relevant.

All existing documentation remains unchanged - this is an additive
refactor creating new entry points.

Verification:
- Documentation builds with zero warnings
- All link checks pass
- All style checks pass

Closes aboutcode-org#250

Signed-off-by: Gyan Ranjan Panda <gyanranjanpanda@gmail.com>
@gyanranjanpanda gyanranjanpanda force-pushed the docs/persona-based-documentation branch from a27ccb5 to 05c8415 Compare February 5, 2026 09:34
Shortened all three persona landing pages to be more concise:
- Legal/Compliance: 117 → 40 lines
- Security/SCA: 150 → 45 lines
- Developer/Integrator: 226 → 75 lines

Changes focus persona pages on quick navigation paths rather than
full tutorials. Removed redundant tool descriptions and verbose
explanations while keeping essential code examples and links.

Total reduction: ~540 → ~160 lines (~70% shorter)

Signed-off-by: Gyan Ranjan Panda <gyanranjanpanda@gmail.com>
@DennisClark
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I am not sure we are ready to do this. Asking @pombredanne or @AyanSinhaMahapatra to help with the review. @gyanranjanpanda please be patient while we take a deeper look at this, thanks.

@gyanranjanpanda
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Thank you for taking a look. I appreciate the deeper review happy to wait and address any feedback from you, @pombredanne, or @AyanSinhaMahapatra.

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2 participants