Add Self Validation section to README.md and User Guide

README.md

@@ -63,6 +63,38 @@ templatetool --silent --log output.log
 | `--results <file>`   | Write validation results to file (TRX or JUnit format)       |
 | `--log <file>`       | Write output to log file                                     |
 
+## Self Validation
+
+Running self-validation produces a report containing the following information:
+
+```text
+# DEMA Consulting Template DotNet Tool
+
+| Information         | Value                                              |
+| :------------------ | :------------------------------------------------- |
+| Tool Version        | <version>                                          |
+| Machine Name        | <machine-name>                                     |
+| OS Version          | <os-version>                                       |
+| DotNet Runtime      | <dotnet-runtime-version>                           |
+| Time Stamp          | <timestamp> UTC                                    |
+
+✓ Version Display Test - PASSED
+✓ Help Display Test - PASSED
+
+Total Tests: 2
+Passed: 2
+Failed: 0
+```
+
+Each test in the report proves:
+
+- **`TemplateTool_VersionDisplay`** - `--version` outputs a valid version string.
+- **`TemplateTool_HelpDisplay`** - `--help` outputs usage and options information.
+
+See the [User Guide][link-guide] for more details on the self-validation tests.
+
+On validation failure the tool will exit with a non-zero exit code.
+
 ## Documentation
 
 Generated documentation includes:
@@ -99,3 +131,4 @@ By contributing to this project, you agree that your contributions will be licen
 [link-quality]: https://sonarcloud.io/dashboard?id=demaconsulting_TemplateDotNetTool
 [link-security]: https://sonarcloud.io/dashboard?id=demaconsulting_TemplateDotNetTool
 [link-nuget]: https://www.nuget.org/packages/DemaConsulting.TemplateDotNetTool
+[link-guide]: https://github.com/demaconsulting/TemplateDotNetTool/blob/main/docs/guide/guide.md

docs/guide/guide.md

@@ -40,15 +40,20 @@ Display usage information:
 templatetool --help
 ```
 
-## Run Self-Validation
+## Self-Validation
 
-Run self-validation tests:
+Self-validation produces a report demonstrating that Template DotNet Tool is functioning
+correctly. This is useful in regulated industries where tool validation evidence is required.
+
+### Running Validation
+
+To perform self-validation:
 
 ```bash
 templatetool --validate
 ```
 
-Save validation results to a file:
+To save validation results to a file:
 
 ```bash
 templatetool --validate --results results.trx
@@ -57,6 +62,39 @@ templatetool --validate --results results.trx
 The results file format is determined by the file extension: `.trx` for TRX (MSTest) format,
 or `.xml` for JUnit format.
 
+### Validation Report
+
+The validation report contains the tool version, machine name, operating system version,
+.NET runtime version, timestamp, and test results.
+
+Example validation report:
+
+```text
+# DEMA Consulting Template DotNet Tool
+
+| Information         | Value                                              |
+| :------------------ | :------------------------------------------------- |
+| Tool Version        | 1.0.0                                              |
+| Machine Name        | BUILD-SERVER                                       |
+| OS Version          | Ubuntu 22.04.3 LTS                                 |
+| DotNet Runtime      | .NET 10.0.0                                        |
+| Time Stamp          | 2024-01-15 10:30:00 UTC                            |
+
+✓ Version Display Test - PASSED
+✓ Help Display Test - PASSED
+
+Total Tests: 2
+Passed: 2
+Failed: 0
+```
+
+### Validation Tests
+
+Each test proves specific functionality works correctly:
+
+- **`TemplateTool_VersionDisplay`** - `--version` outputs a valid version string.
+- **`TemplateTool_HelpDisplay`** - `--help` outputs usage and options information.
+
 ## Silent Mode
 
 Suppress console output: