GitLab Docs: Evaluating AST Section Headings

Context

GitLab maintains extensive documentation for its Application Security Testing (AST) tools. As part of a broader restructuring effort, section headings across these pages were standardized to improve consistency.

Problem

While the standardized headings improved cross-page consistency, some titles such as “Optimization” and “Roll out” became ambiguous when read out of context, especially for readers landing mid-page or scanning the table of contents.

My Contribution

I reviewed the Container Scanning documentation as a concrete example and shared feedback highlighting the tension between structural consistency and descriptive clarity.

I proposed a hybrid approach: retaining a standardized structure while allowing slightly more descriptive section titles where clarity would benefit skimming readers.

Outcome

The documentation maintainer agreed that a hybrid approach was likely the best solution, acknowledging that the earlier, more descriptive headings better served readers despite some repetition.

Although the issue remains open, this contribution helped shape the direction of the documentation work and clarified trade-offs for future updates.

Reflection

This contribution reinforced my belief that meaningful impact in open source isn’t limited to code. Clear communication, thoughtful critique, and respectful collaboration are just as important to healthy technical ecosystems.