diff --git a/docs/manual/adding-packages-directory.txt b/docs/manual/adding-packages-directory.txt
index d0de35831c..b9596a28ca 100644
--- a/docs/manual/adding-packages-directory.txt
+++ b/docs/manual/adding-packages-directory.txt
@@ -39,6 +39,15 @@ itself should be indented with one tab and two spaces, lines should
 not be longer than 72 columns, and it must mention the upstream URL
 of the project.
 
+As a convention specific to Buildroot, the ordering of the attributes
+is as follows:
+
+1. The type of option: +bool+, +string+... with the prompt
+2. If needed, the +default+ value(s)
+3. Any dependency of the +depends on+ form
+4. Any dependency of the +select+ form
+5. The help keyword and help text.
+
 You can add other sub-options into a +if BR2_PACKAGE_LIBFOO...endif+
 statement to configure particular things in your software. You can look at
 examples in other packages. The syntax of the +Config.in+ file is the same