Contributing

Want to add a new cata? Great the world needs more documented disasters.

How to Add a Cata

1. Decide if your cata is for facilitators or participants.
2. Create a new markdown file in the appropriate folder:
   • catas/facilitator/the-your-cata-name.md
   • catas/participant/the-your-cata-name.md
3. Use the template below.
4. Add a link to your cata in the folder’s README.md and in the root README.md.
5. Open a pull request.

Cata Template

# The [Cata Name]

> A one-sentence summary of the disaster.

**Commonly affects:** Who typically falls into this trap?

## The Anti-Pattern

Describe what you do wrong, written as ironic "advice." Lean into the humor.
Tell the reader exactly how to guarantee failure.

## Why It Feels Right

Explain why people fall into this trap. What makes this anti-pattern tempting or
seem reasonable at first glance?

## The Catastrophe

What actually happens when you follow this advice? Describe the fallout the
confused teams, the wasted time, the awkward presentations.

## The Rescue

The actual good practice. What should you do instead? Keep it actionable.

Guidelines

• Keep the tone playful and educational. The goal is to make people laugh and learn.
• The ironic advice should be obviously bad we don’t want anyone to follow it unironically.
• The rescue section is where the real value lives. Make it concrete and actionable.
• File names should be kebab-case and start with the-: the-your-cata-name.md.