# Directory Naming Standards

**Last Updated:** 2026-01-20

Standards and recommendations for directory naming conventions across `docs/`.

## Current Patterns

### Naming Patterns Found

**Lowercase (most common):**
- `ai/`, `guides/`, `content/`, `systems/`, `development/`, `reference/`

**Kebab-Case:**
- `seo-strategy-2026/`, `strategy-2026/`

**Snake_Case:**
- Rare, mostly in subdirectories

**Mixed:**
- Some directories with numbers or special characters

## Recommended Standard

### Primary Standard: Lowercase

**Use lowercase for:**
- Top-level directories
- General-purpose directories
- Content directories

**Examples:**
- ✅ `guides/`, `content/`, `systems/`
- ✅ `ai/`, `development/`, `reference/`

### Secondary Standard: Kebab-Case

**Use kebab-case for:**
- Year-specific directories (e.g., `seo-strategy-2026/`)
- Multi-word directories where clarity is important
- Project-specific directories

**Examples:**
- ✅ `seo-strategy-2026/`
- ✅ `tools-pages/`
- ✅ `comparison-pages/`

### Avoid

**Don't use:**
- ❌ Spaces in directory names
- ❌ Uppercase (except for special cases)
- ❌ Snake_case (use kebab-case instead)
- ❌ Special characters (except hyphens)

## Migration Strategy

### Current State

**Most directories already follow standards:**
- Top-level: Mostly lowercase ✅
- Subdirectories: Mix of patterns ⚠️

### Recommendations

**Low Priority:**
- Standardize subdirectory naming gradually
- Update when directories are modified
- Document exceptions

**High Priority:**
- Ensure new directories follow standards
- Update `DOCUMENTATION_STANDARDS.md` with naming guidelines

## Related Documentation

- **[DOCUMENTATION_STANDARDS.md](DOCUMENTATION_STANDARDS.md)** - Complete documentation standards
- **[TOP_LEVEL_STRUCTURE_REVIEW.md](TOP_LEVEL_STRUCTURE_REVIEW.md)** - Structure review