---
title: "Quick reference guides"
description: "Quick reference guides refer to short, compressed guides that users can refer to instead of the longer manual or help site. The quick reference guide often condenses and distills the..."
canonical_url: https://idratherbewriting.com/category-quick-reference-guides/index.html
---

> For AI agents: a documentation index is available at https://idratherbewriting.com/llms.txt. Markdown versions of all pages are available by appending .md to any page URL.

# Quick reference guides

Quick reference guides refer to short, compressed guides that users can refer to instead of the longer manual or help site. The quick reference guide often condenses and distills the most important points, core tasks, and other key information into 1-2 pages. A similar deliverable is a getting started guide, which is oriented to setup and configuration for new users, while the quick reference guide aims to be a regular reference even after the user gets started.

The following content is in the **quick-reference-guides** category:

#### [API quick reference guides (and the challenges of passing long content into AI contexts)](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/api-qrg-challenges-of-long-content) | Jun 1, 2025

#### [Webinar Recording: Designing Quick Reference Guides](https://idratherbewriting.com/2012/02/18/webinar-recording-designing-quick-reference-guides/) | Feb 18, 2012

#### [Starting Points with Quick Reference Guides: Gathering Before Designing](https://idratherbewriting.com/2009/05/14/starting-points-gathering-before-designing/) | May 14, 2009

#### [Documentation Usability: A Few Things I've Learned from Watching Users](https://idratherbewriting.com/2009/04/28/documentation-usability-a-few-things-ive-learned-from-watching-users/) | Apr 28, 2009

#### [Quick Reference Guides: Short and Sweet Documentation](https://idratherbewriting.com/2009/04/10/quick-reference-guides-short-and-sweet-documentation/) | Apr 10, 2009

#### [Quick Reference Guides Right Where You Need Them](https://idratherbewriting.com/2009/04/09/quick-reference-guides-right-where-you-need-them/) | Apr 9, 2009

#### [Lessons Learned with Quick Reference Guides: Timing and Truth](https://idratherbewriting.com/2009/02/26/lessons-learned-with-quick-reference-guides-timing-and-information-flux/) | Feb 26, 2009

#### [Quick Reference Guide Formats -- Tips for Finding Attractive Layouts](https://idratherbewriting.com/2008/12/31/quick-reference-guide-formats-tips-for-finding-attractive-layouts/) | Dec 31, 2008