OK. We could modify the texi file so that it is written like this: I strongly disagree with this continuing proliferation of macros = obfuscation of our source, and, more importantly, don't think it would help Patrick anyway. Optional/non-optional is a minor point. The crucial point is that he is coming up with a single sentence to describe features, and it would not make sense for us to try to write the exact sentence he wants in our manual. It's a different purpose.
Patrick, here's an idea: your site could have a link for each command to the corresponding node in our manual. You could either keep (and update) a copy locally or, perhaps preferably, just link to our online version. Similarly, we will mention your site in our text, etc. Best, Karl P.S. Section title: "Document classes", not "Documentclasses".
