Write the Docs Bay Area

Thu, Oct 2 · 6:30 PM PDT

Smarter Documentation: AI, Tools, and Modern Workflows

Mindspace Coworking, 575 Market St, San Francisco, ca, US

Hello, Write the Docs Bay Area!

We're excited to host our second in-person meetup of the year in beautiful San Francisco. This event's theme is:

Improving Documentation Quality with AI, Tools, and Modern Workflows

This meetup will focus on strategies to improve documentation quality using AI, automation tools, and modern workflows. Whether it's streamlining review cycles or automating updates, the goal is the same: clearer, more accurate, and up-to-date technical content.

Tentative Agenda:

• 6:30–7:00 PM: Check-in, food & networking
• 7:00–8:30 PM: Talks
• 8:30–9:00 PM: More networking (hard stop at 9:00 PM)

Title: Self-Healing Docs: How Agents are Redefining the Docs Pipeline

Description: Static documentation is giving way to dynamic, self-healing systems that proactively detect and resolve issues before they impact users. In this session, we’ll explore how advanced AI agents—integrated with content generation and testing tools—are upending expectations of docs pipelines by autonomously identifying inaccuracies, updating outdated references, and maintaining consistency across vast documentation sets.

Speaker: Manny Silva

Bio: Technical writer by day, engineer by night, and father everywhere in between, Manny wears many (figurative) hats. He's passionate about intuitive and scalable developer experiences, and he likes diving into the deep end as the 0th user. Here are a few things that keep him busy:

• Head of Docs at Skyflow, a data privacy vault company
• Author of Docs as Tests: A Strategy for Resilient Technical

Links to Manny’s book and website:

• Docs as Tests: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F1H97QSL
• Website: www.docsastests.com

Title: Using AI to Keep Documentation Fresh, Consistent, and Interactive

Description: Great docs aren’t built as static experiences, they are interactive and continuously improved. In this talk, we'll look at how AI tools like linters and docs audits can help teams keep their documentation always updated and consistent. These tools can spot outdated content, keep guides aligned with your API Reference, and suggest ways to make things easier to understand. You'll see how AI can speed up reviews and give technical writers more time to focus on what matters most: helping developers find the answers they need.

Speaker: Justina Nguyen

Bio: Originally from the Bay Area, Justina is now based in New England where she’s enjoying all four seasons with her fiancé and their dog, Piper. Justina has spent most of her career helping early-stage startups grow and she's passionate about creating engaging experiences for developers. Outside of work, Justina likes to cook traditional Vietnamese dishes, learn Muay Thai and Brazilian jiu jitsu, and look for her next snorkeling location.

Title: When Docs Become Dialogue: AI-Powered In-App Assistance
Description

Why – Users don’t want to leave the product to hunt for answers, and conversational in-app assistance solves this by making documentation accessible in the flow of work.
Outcome – Users will see documentation as a two-way dialogue and learn how AI-powered chatbots can enhance user support and adoption.
Reality – I will share real-world challenges, such as the messy source content, and lessons from structuring docs for in-app guidance.
Doable – Users will walk away with practical steps to break documentation into Q&A chunks, map user pain points, and experiment with chatbot integrations.

Speaker: Sakshi Shah

Bio: Tech writer designing clarity through UX.

Title: Enhance Documentation Quality & Accessibility with AI

Description: As project timelines tighten, technical writers need innovative solutions to deliver high quality documentation to customers. AI tools can automate routine tasks, support compliance, and free up time for writers to focus on complex and example-driven content.
In this talk, I'll share practical use cases demonstrating how advanced AI models like GPT-4 and beyond can help technical writing teams boost efficiency, quality, and accessibility.

Speaker: Sreya Dutta

Bio: Sreya is an experienced technical writer, curriculum developer, and strategic thinker looking for efficient ways to get high quality documentation to customers. She's been a manager and back to being an IC learning new things and moving the dial towards better quality, more targeted documentation, better doc site features, and the overall content strategy.

Event Venue & Logistics

Upon arrival, please check in with the lobby security and inform them you are attending an event at Mindspace. They will direct you upstairs.

Parking

There is a nearby public lot. Please be aware that the parking lot at their sister building, 555 Market Street, closes at 7:00 PM. You can also use SpotHero to reserve parking spots in advance.

Low-Carbon Transportation Options

• BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit)
• Montgomery St. Station: Less than a one-minute walk. The building is located directly above the station, making this the most convenient option.
• Muni Stops Nearby
• Montgomery St. Station: A major hub for both Muni Metro and BART, located directly beneath the building at 575 Market Street.
• Market St. & 5th St: Serves Muni lines 5, 5R, and 7.

Special Thanks to Our Sponsor – Promptless

This event is made possible by Promptless, who are generously sponsoring the venue, food, and drinks. Promptless is your AI teammate that keeps your documentation up to date—automatically. Learn more and sign up for a demo at: https://gopromptless.ai

Thu, Oct 23 · 6:30 PM PDT

How Do Today's Technical Writers Get Things Done?

WRITER HQ, 111 Maiden Ln, San Francisco, CA, US

Join us for a meetup focused on the tools, workflows, and systems that help technical writers scale their impact, collaborate across teams, and grow in their careers.

Whether you're experimenting with docs-as-code, automating repetitive tasks, navigating cross-functional work, or just figuring out what not to do, this is your space to share lessons and learn from others in the field.

Speaker Lineup

• Talk #1: TBD
• Talk #2: TBD
• Talk #3: TBD
• Talk #4: TBD

About the W.O.R.D. Format

Just like documentation follows a style guide for clarity and consistency, our speakers follow a simple structure to keep talks focused and valuable.
Each talk follows the W.O.R.D. format:

• W (Why): Why does this topic matter?
• O (Outcome): What did you achieve or learn?
• R (Reality): What did you actually do? This can include tools, steps, or workflows.
• D (Doable): What can others take away and apply?

This approach helps speakers share real-world experiences in a way that is easy to follow and practical for the audience.

Want to Share How You Work?

We are looking for speakers. If you have a workflow, toolchain, or hard-earned lesson to share, we would love to hear from you.
Sign up to speak here: Speaker Sign-Up Form

Getting There

• BART: Closest station is Montgomery (598 Market St)
• Muni: Closest stop is Market St and Sansome St, approximately 0.5 miles away
• Driving: Use SpotHero for parking, or consider Uber or Lyft for convenience

Sponsored by Writer
End-to-end agent builder platform that unites IT

Tue, Nov 11 · 6:30 PM PST

Strategies for Leveling Up Your Technical Writing Skills

WRITER HQ, 111 Maiden Ln, San Francisco, CA, US

Knowledge professionals are already working in an era shaped by artificial intelligence. From natural language generation to content summarization and analysis, AI is steadily influencing how we create, manage, and deliver documentation.

A recent McKinsey report estimates that up to 50% of today’s work activities could be automated between 2030 and 2060, with a midpoint around 2045. Rather than replacing professionals, this shift highlights the growing need for technical writers to adapt—by learning new tools, refining their workflows, and staying ahead of emerging trends.

That's why continuous learning and intentional growth matter more than ever. Whether you're improving your writing process, experimenting with automation, or building new skills, this meetup is designed to help you grow.

If you have strategies, lessons, or tools that have helped you level up as a technical writer, we’d love for you to share them.
Want to be a speaker?

Sign up here → Speaker Sign-Up Form

Suggested Talk Topics

• Personal workflows or habits that improve your technical writing
• Strategies for scaling your impact in an organization
• Adopting and learning new technologies
• Navigating AI and automation in writing workflows
• Staying up to date with trends in technical communication

Speaker Lineup

• Talk #1: TBD
• Talk #2: TBD
• Talk #3: TBD
• Talk #4: TBD

About the W.O.R.D. Format

Just as documentation benefits from structure and consistency, our speakers follow a simple format to keep talks focused and actionable.
Each talk follows the W.O.R.D. framework:

• W (Why): Why does this topic matter?
• O (Outcome): What did you achieve or learn?
• R (Reality): What did you actually do? (Tools, steps, workflows)
• D (Doable): What can others take away and apply?

This structure helps speakers communicate clearly and gives attendees practical insights they can use. It also supports learning retention and a better overall experience for everyone.

Want to Share How You Work?

We're looking for speakers! If you have a workflow, toolchain, or hard-earned lesson to share, we’d love to include your voice.

Sign up here → Speaker Sign-Up Form
Getting There

• BART: Closest station is Montgomery (598 Market St)
• Muni: Closest stop is Market St & Sansome St (approximately 0.5 miles away)
• Driving: Use SpotHero for parking, or consider Uber or Lyft for convenience

Source: McKinsey – The Economic Potential of Generative AI

Sponsored by Writer
End-to-end agent builder platform that unites IT