Optimal Configuration and Update Frequency for Quick Reference: Triple Your Development Efficiency

📑 Table of Contents

Introduction: Why a Quick Reference is Necessary

As I progressed with Genspark development, I repeatedly faced the same problems."Where's that API endpoint again?" "What's the name of this environment variable?" "How was the directory structure organized?"

Because AI "forgets" after prolonged use, I kept asking the AI the same questions repeatedly. So, I created a **Quick Reference (QR)**, and my development efficiency dramatically improved.

In this article, I will explain the **optimal structure** and **update frequency** for Quick References, and introduce how to triple your development efficiency.

What is a Quick Reference: Differences from Specification Documents

Definition of Quick Reference (QR)

A Quick Reference is a **document that summarizes important project information on a single page**. Its purpose is to be "quickly accessible."

Differences from Specification Documents

Item Specification Document Quick Reference
Purpose Records detailed design Instantly refer to important information
Volume 10-100 pages 1-3 pages
Update Frequency During major changes With each feature addition
Audience Entire team, future developers Current self, AI
Content Detailed explanations, diagrams Bullet points, code snippets
Important: A Quick Reference is not a "simplified version of the specification document" but an "index of easily forgotten information." Leave the details to the specification document; the QR records "what is where."

Optimal Structure: 10 Essential Items

1. Project Basic Information

  • Project Name
  • Tech Stack (Languages, Frameworks, Versions)
  • Repository URL
  • Deployment URLs (Production, Development)

2. Directory Structure

List only the most important files and folders.

/ ├── src/ │ ├── components/ # React components │ ├── pages/ # Next.js pages │ ├── lib/ # Utility functions │ └── styles/ # Global CSS ├── prisma/ │ └── schema.prisma # Database schema └── .env.local # Environment variables (Gitignore)

3. API Design

List only major endpoints.

Example

  • GET /api/articles - Get article list
  • POST /api/articles - Create article (authentication required)
  • GET /api/articles/:id - Get article details

4. Database Schema

Major tables and relationships.

User (id, email, name) Article (id, title, content, authorId -> User.id) Category (id, name)

5. Environment Variables

Variable names only (do not include values, for security).

DATABASE_URL TWITTER_API_KEY TWITTER_API_SECRET NEXTAUTH_SECRET

6. Key Commands

npm run dev # Start development server npm run build # Build npm run lint # Run linter npx prisma migrate dev # DB migration

7. Authentication and Authorization

  • Libraries used (NextAuth.js, Firebase Auth, etc.)
  • Authentication flow overview
  • List of protected routes

8. Deployment Information

  • Hosting services (Vercel, Heroku, AWS, etc.)
  • Deployment command
  • Environment variable settings location

9. Known Issues and Caveats

Known bugs such as the N+1 problem, and workarounds.

Example

Note: When fetching the article list, always use include: {category: true}. Otherwise, the N+1 problem will occur.

10. Reference Links

  • Link to Specification Document
  • Link to API Design Document
  • Link to Figma Design
  • Project management tools (Notion, Trello, etc.)

Prioritization: What to Include

High Priority (Essential)

  • Tech Stack
  • Directory Structure
  • API Design (Major Endpoints)
  • Environment Variables
  • Key Commands

This information is **most easily forgotten by AI**.

Medium Priority (Recommended)

  • Database Schema
  • Authentication and Authorization
  • Deployment Information

Low Priority (Optional)

  • Development History
  • Past Decisions
  • Team Structure

These should be recorded in the specification document and not included in the QR.

Principle: Document "information that is troublesome to explain to AI every time." Anything requiring detailed explanation goes into the specification document.

Format: Pursuing Readability

Format 1: Markdown Format

The most recommended format. Reasons:

  • Easy for AI to read
  • Easy to version control (check differences with Git)
  • Platform-independent

Format 2: Bullet-Point Centric

Avoid long sentences, use **bullet points** and **code blocks** extensively.

Format 3: Section Separation

Separating major items with H2 headings and minor items with H3 headings allows for quick jumps from the table of contents.

Tips for Readability

  1. Keep it to 1 page: Minimize scrolling
  2. Keep code short: Only essential parts, not the entire code
  3. Moderate use of diagrams: Text-centric
  4. Include update date: To check information freshness

Update Frequency: Weekly vs. Upon Feature Addition

Recommendation: Update Immediately Upon Feature Addition

A Quick Reference contains information to be used **"now"**, so it's ideal to update it with each feature addition.

Update Timing

  • When new API endpoints are added
  • When environment variables are added
  • When directory structure changes
  • When deployment target changes
  • When known issues are discovered

When Not to Update

  • Minor bug fixes
  • Refactoring (no impact on external specifications)
  • Adding comments

Regular Review

Even during periods without new features, review the content **once a week** to delete or update outdated information.

Important: "Update all at once later" is strictly prohibited. Develop the habit of updating on the spot before you forget.

Management Method with AI Drive

Recommended File Name

/[Project Name]/QUICK_REFERENCE.md

Advantages of AI Drive

How to Load in a New Chat

"Load /[Project Name]/QUICK_REFERENCE.md and understand the project overview."

Backup Strategy

According to the 3-2-1 rule:

  1. Original: AI Drive
  2. Copy 1: Local PC (Google Drive sync)
  3. Copy 2: Git Repository

Practical Template: Ready-to-Use Sample

📋 Quick Reference Template

# [Project Name] Quick Reference **Last Updated**: 2025-12-05 --- ## 1. Project Basic Information - **Name**: Fortune Telling Site - **Tech Stack**: Next.js 14, TypeScript, Prisma, PostgreSQL - **Repository**: https://github.com/user/project - **Production Environment**: https://example.com - **Development Environment**: http://localhost:3000 --- ## 2. Directory Structure ``` / ├── src/ │ ├── components/ # React components │ ├── pages/ # Next.js pages │ ├── lib/ # Utility functions │ └── styles/ # Global CSS ├── prisma/ │ └── schema.prisma # Database schema └── .env.local # Environment variables ``` --- ## 3. API Design - `GET /api/articles` - Get article list - `POST /api/articles` - Create article (authentication required) - `GET /api/articles/:id` - Get article details - `PUT /api/articles/:id` - Update article (authentication required) - `DELETE /api/articles/:id` - Delete article (authentication required) --- ## 4. Database Schema ``` User (id, email, name, createdAt) Article (id, title, content, authorId -> User.id, categoryId -> Category.id) Category (id, name) ``` --- ## 5. Environment Variables ``` DATABASE_URL TWITTER_API_KEY TWITTER_API_SECRET NEXTAUTH_SECRET NEXTAUTH_URL ``` --- ## 6. Key Commands ```bash npm run dev # Start development server npm run build # Build npm run start # Start production server npm run lint # Run linter npx prisma migrate dev # DB migration npx prisma studio # Start DB GUI ``` --- ## 7. Authentication and Authorization - **Library**: NextAuth.js v5 - **Providers**: Google OAuth, Email - **Protected Routes**: `/dashboard`, `/api/articles` (POST/PUT/DELETE) --- ## 8. Deployment Information - **Hosting**: Vercel - **Deployment Command**: `git push origin main` (automatic deployment) - **Environment Variables**: Vercel Dashboard → Settings → Environment Variables --- ## 9. Known Issues and Caveats - ⚠️ When fetching the article list, always use `include: {category: true, author: true}` (to avoid N+1 problem) - ⚠️ Twitter API v1.1 requires OAuth 1.0a authentication - ⚠️ Image uploads have a 10MB limit --- ## 10. Reference Links - [Specification Document](/path/to/spec.md) - [API Design Document](/path/to/api-spec.md) - [Figma Design](https://figma.com/...) - [Notion Project Management](https://notion.so/...)

Summary: The Secret to Tripling Development Efficiency

By implementing a Quick Reference, you can achieve the following benefits:

  • Time Savings: "Where was that?" becomes zero
  • Easier Chat Migration: Instantly share context in new chats
  • Reduced Errors: Prevent misremembering environment variable names, etc.
  • Improved Document Quality: Clear distinction from specification documents
  • Faster Onboarding: New members understand quickly
Conclusion: A Quick Reference is a "one-page index." Details go into the specification document, important information into the QR. By updating it immediately with each feature addition, development efficiency will triple.

As a next step, learn about efficient document management in AI Drive and the 7 steps of Genspark development to build an even more efficient development environment.

Reference Links: