# TheChart Documentation Index

## 📚 Complete Documentation Guide

### 🚀 Quick Navigation

#### Essential Documents
- **[README.md](../README.md)** - Project overview and quick start guide
- **[USER_GUIDE.md](../USER_GUIDE.md)** - Complete user manual with features and shortcuts
- **[DEVELOPER_GUIDE.md](../DEVELOPER_GUIDE.md)** - Development setup, testing, and architecture
- **[API_REFERENCE.md](../API_REFERENCE.md)** - Technical documentation and system APIs

#### Project History
- **[CHANGELOG.md](../CHANGELOG.md)** - Version history and release notes
- **[IMPROVEMENTS_SUMMARY.md](../IMPROVEMENTS_SUMMARY.md)** - Recent enhancements and new features

### 📖 Documentation Organization

This project uses a **consolidated documentation structure** to avoid redundancy and improve maintainability:

#### Root Level Documents (Primary)
All main documentation is located in the project root for easy access:

- **README.md** - Entry point for all users
- **USER_GUIDE.md** - Comprehensive user documentation
- **DEVELOPER_GUIDE.md** - Complete development guide
- **API_REFERENCE.md** - Technical reference documentation
- **CHANGELOG.md** - Version history
- **IMPROVEMENTS_SUMMARY.md** - Latest feature summary

#### docs/ Folder (Reference)
The docs/ folder contains:
- Legacy documentation files (preserved for reference)
- Specialized topic documentation
- This documentation index

### 🔍 Find What You Need

#### New Users
Start with: **[USER_GUIDE.md](../USER_GUIDE.md)**
- Application features
- Getting started guide
- Keyboard shortcuts
- UI customization

#### Developers
Start with: **[DEVELOPER_GUIDE.md](../DEVELOPER_GUIDE.md)**
- Environment setup
- Testing procedures
- Architecture overview
- Contributing guidelines

#### System Administrators
Check: **[API_REFERENCE.md](../API_REFERENCE.md)**
- Export system details
- Configuration options
- Technical specifications
- Integration information

### 🏗️ Documentation Standards

All documentation follows these principles:
- **Single Source of Truth**: No duplicate content across files
- **Clear Navigation**: Easy cross-references and linking
- **Up-to-date**: Regular updates with code changes
- **User-focused**: Organized by user needs, not technical structure

### 📝 Contributing to Documentation

When updating documentation:
1. Edit the appropriate root-level file
2. Update cross-references if needed
3. Test all links for accuracy
4. Follow the established format and style

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*Last updated: August 6, 2025*