User Guide

What is a User Guide?

A user guide is a document that tells people how to actually use something. It walks users through specific tasks with step-by-step instructions, focusing on what they need to do rather than every possible feature. Think of it as the difference between reading an encyclopedia about your new software versus having someone show you exactly how to get started.

These guides work as practical roadmaps. They cover common workflows and help users figure out features without drowning in technical jargon. You'll find user guides in all sorts of formats: printed booklets tucked into product boxes, downloadable PDFs, video tutorials, interactive walkthroughs, or help sections built right into apps. Unlike a comprehensive user manual, user guides tend to focus on specific tasks rather than exhaustive coverage. They often work alongside training documentation and quick reference guides to support users at different stages of their learning journey.

The whole point? Help people succeed with your product, cut down on confusion, and reduce the number of "how do I..." support tickets. When someone can figure things out on their own, everybody wins.

Key Characteristics of a User Guide

• Task-Oriented: Built around what users want to accomplish, not a laundry list of features
• Concise and Focused: Gets to the point without burying readers in technical details they don't need
• Step-by-Step Format: Lays out instructions in a logical sequence so users can follow along easily
• Plain Language: Skips the jargon and writes at a level that matches what users actually know
• Visual Support: Uses screenshots, diagrams, or videos to show (not just tell) how things work
• Easy to Find: Available wherever users need it, whether that's online, in the app, or as a download

User Guide Examples

Example 1: Software Application

Picture a project management tool's user guide that helps new team members create their first project. It walks through adding tasks, assigning people, and tracking progress. Annotated screenshots point out exactly where to click and what to type at each step.

Example 2: Physical Product

Think about the assembly guide that comes with a standing desk. It shows you how to unpack everything, put the pieces together, and get the desk installed. Numbered steps match up with diagrams, and there's a list of tools and hardware you'll need before starting.

Example 3: Business Process

Consider a customer onboarding guide written for account managers. It lays out how to set up new client accounts: what documents to collect, how to grant system access, and which email templates to use at each stage of onboarding.

User Guide vs User Manual

Both help people understand products, but they serve different purposes. Here's how they stack up:

How Glitter AI Helps with User Guides

Glitter AI takes the grunt work out of creating user guides. Record yourself doing a task once, and Glitter automatically turns that recording into a step-by-step guide with screenshots, descriptions, and clear instructions. No more spending hours on manual documentation, and your guides stay accurate because they're built from actual workflows.

Teams can use Glitter to put together user guides for onboarding, training, customer support, or internal processes without needing a dedicated technical writer. You can export guides as PDFs, web pages, or interactive walkthroughs, whatever format works best for your users.