Principal-led architecture for critical systems

Method demonstration

AI-assisted documentation review for legacy codebases

A legacy codebase contains years of implementation knowledge but incomplete documentation, slowing modernization estimates and onboarding.

Evidence recordRead the classification first
Evidence type
Method demonstration
Verification
Public method demonstration
Reviewed
2026-07-24

What problem or claim is examined

Generated documentation can widen claims, miss edge cases, or become stale if it is treated as authoritative without source links and reviewer ownership.

System or demonstration context

A legacy codebase contains years of implementation knowledge but incomplete documentation, slowing modernization estimates and onboarding.

Source state and inputs

  • Bounded repositories and file types
  • Human review required
  • Source state retained

Method

  • Prompt contract
  • Source-reference schema
  • Reviewer worksheet
  • Unsupported-claim log
  • Versioned approval

Representative cases

  • Define typed outputs
  • Require source references
  • Generate bounded drafts
  • Review against code and tests
  • Record accepted, rejected, and unresolved claims
  • Version output with source state

Observed result or demonstration output

Shows how AI can accelerate draft documentation while human reviewers retain authority over approved technical claims.

Human review and authority

Demonstrates an AI-assisted documentation workflow with source support and reviewer acceptance.

Decision supported

Shows how AI can accelerate draft documentation while human reviewers retain authority over approved technical claims.

Artifacts retained

  • Prompt contract
  • Draft documentation
  • Reviewer worksheet
  • Unsupported-claim log
  • Approved documentation release

Limitations and boundary

This method does not claim that AI fully understands a codebase or can replace accountable technical review.

Boundary statement: This method does not claim that AI fully understands a codebase or can replace accountable technical review.

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