Documentation Best Practices
Write documentation that developers love
Great documentation is the difference between a project that thrives and one that struggles. CodeContext helps you follow best practices automatically, but understanding these principles will help you create even better documentation.
The Documentation Mindset
User-Focused
Write for your audience, not yourself
Action-Oriented
Help users accomplish tasks quickly
Always Current
Keep docs synchronized with code
Core Documentation Principles
1Start with Why
Before diving into features, explain why your project exists and what problems it solves:
- What problem does this solve?
- Who is it for?
- What makes it different?
- When should (and shouldn't) you use it?
2Show, Don't Just Tell
Examples are worth a thousand words. Every concept should have code:
❌ Don't do this:
“The config object accepts various options for customization.”
✅ Do this instead:
const config = {
theme: 'dark',
language: 'en',
plugins: ['auth', 'api']
};3Progressive Disclosure
Don't overwhelm users. Structure information from simple to complex:
- 1. Quick Start: Get users running in under 5 minutes
- 2. Core Concepts: Explain the essentials
- 3. Common Use Cases: Show typical scenarios
- 4. Advanced Topics: Deep dives for power users
- 5. API Reference: Complete technical details
4Maintain Consistency
Consistency reduces cognitive load and improves comprehension:
Language & Tone
- • Use active voice
- • Be concise and clear
- • Maintain consistent terminology
- • Write in second person (“you”)
Structure & Format
- • Consistent heading hierarchy
- • Standard code formatting
- • Uniform example patterns
- • Regular update schedule
Types of Documentation
Different users need different types of documentation. Cover all bases:
Getting Started
For new users who want to try your project
- • Installation instructions
- • Hello World example
- • Basic configuration
- • Common pitfalls
Tutorials
For learning by building something real
- • Step-by-step guides
- • Real-world projects
- • Best practices demos
- • Common integrations
How-To Guides
For solving specific problems
- • Task-focused content
- • Problem → Solution format
- • Common scenarios
- • Troubleshooting tips
Reference
For looking up specific details
- • API documentation
- • Configuration options
- • Error codes
- • CLI commands
Writing Effective Documentation
Use Clear Headings
Headings should be scannable and describe what users will learn or do
Front-Load Important Information
Put the most important information first, details later
Good example:
“To enable authentication, set auth.enabled = true in your config. This requires a valid API key...”
Include Prerequisites
Always state what users need before starting
Before you begin:
- • Node.js 16+ installed
- • Basic JavaScript knowledge
- • A text editor
Test Your Examples
Every code example should be copy-paste ready and actually work
Pro tip: Use CodeContext to automatically test code examples!
How CodeContext Helps
CodeContext automatically applies these best practices to your documentation:
Automatic Best Practices
- Consistent formatting and structure
- Clear, action-oriented headings
- Working code examples from your codebase
- Proper API documentation format
- Version-aware content
Continuous Improvement
- Keeps docs synchronized with code
- Updates examples automatically
- Detects outdated information
- Suggests improvements
- Maintains consistency
Common Documentation Mistakes
Assuming Too Much Knowledge
Don't assume users know your tech stack, architecture, or domain
Writing Once and Forgetting
Documentation needs regular updates as your project evolves
No Real Examples
Abstract descriptions without concrete examples frustrate users
Poor Organization
Information scattered without clear structure or navigation
Documentation Checklist
Use this checklist to ensure your documentation follows best practices: