Smarter Week

How to automate it

How to automate “edit and style-check other people's drafts”

Here are 2 ways to spend less time on this, best first. Each comes with steps you can follow today and, for AI fixes, a prompt to copy.

45 min
typically, a few times a week
60%
of the time can be automated
Easy
to set up

Fix 1 of 2

AutomationBest fix

Let a style linter catch style-guide issues automatically

Vale checks every docs pull request against your style guide and terminology, so reviewers stop pointing out the same mistakes.

Typically saves about 35% of the time2 h to set up
  1. 1Install Vale and start with an existing style package (Microsoft or Google), then add your own terms.
  2. 2Run it in CI on docs pull requests and in writers' editors.
  3. 3Start with warnings only and tighten rules as the noise drops.

Tools: Vale · GitHub Actions or GitLab CI · Acrolinx or Writer for larger teams

Fix 2 of 2

AI

Have AI do the first edit pass against your style guide

An AI assistant loaded with your style guide can fix structure, clarity and terminology before you read the draft, so your edit focuses on accuracy and gaps.

Typically saves about 40% of the time20 min to set up
  1. 1Save your style guide and two exemplary pages in a Claude Project, ChatGPT Project or Gem.
  2. 2Paste the draft with the prompt below.
  3. 3Review the tracked changes it lists rather than accepting blindly.
Prompt to copy
Edit the draft below to follow our style guide. Fix: sentence length, passive voice, terminology (use our glossary), headings, and steps that contain more than one action. Do not change technical meaning. Return the edited text, then a list of every change you made and any technical statements that look wrong or unclear.

[PASTE DRAFT]

Tools: ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini or Microsoft Copilot · Claude Projects, ChatGPT Projects or Gemini Gems

Quick wins

Have you tried…

Does a style linter like Vale check docs pull requests automatically?
Vale reads each docs change and flags style-guide and terminology problems, so human reviewers do not repeat the same comments.

Who does this task

Roles in our library that list this as one of their common tasks. Each guide covers the rest of that role’s week.

HourLeak · the 8-minute work audit

How many hours does this cost you?

The free 8-minute check works out where your week goes and gives you your top fixes. The team scan does the same for everyone and adds it up, so you know which leaks to fix first.

Answers are anonymous. Leaders only see team totals.

Other common tasks for Technical writers