How-To Guide template

Canonical template for the How-To Guide format.

# How to [accomplish specific task]

## Before you begin

- [Prerequisite: what the reader must already have or know]
- [Prerequisite: access, tool, or state required]

## Overview

[1-2 sentences: what this guide covers and what the reader will be able to do when done.]

## Step 1: [Action phrase]

[Brief explanation of why this step is needed.]

[Specific, concrete instruction.]

[What a successful outcome looks like at this step.]

## Step 2: [Action phrase]

...

## Troubleshooting

[Common failure point and what to do about it.]

## Next steps

[Where to go from here: related tasks, deeper reading, or what the reader just unlocked.]