Recipe: Documentation Writing Guide
Great documentation isn’t just about correct information; it’s about how that information is structured. This guide covers the best practices for using docmd features to help your readers.
Scannability is Everything
Users rarely read documentation line-by-line. They scan for answers.
- Use Descriptive Headings: Instead of “Setup,” use “Installing the CLI via NPM.”
- Keep Paragraphs Short: Break up large walls of text into 2-3 sentence chunks.
- Use Bold Text: Highlight key terms, file paths, or commands so they pop while scanning.
Choosing the Right Container
docmd provides several containers. Using them correctly improves the user’s mental model.
Callouts vs. Cards
- Use Callouts for “interruptions.” Use
tipfor helpful shortcuts,warningfor things that might break, anddangerfor critical errors. - Use Cards for “grouping.” Cards are great for feature lists on a homepage or summarizing a large section.
Steps for Tutorials
Whenever you have more than two actions the user must perform in order, use the ::: steps container. It provides a visual timeline that feels much more encouraging than a plain numbered list.
Linking Best Practices
Since docmd generates a Single Page Application, navigating between pages is instant.
- Use Relative Paths: Always link using
./file.mdor../folder/file.md. This ensures your links work in your code editor (VS Code), on your web server, and even in offline mode. - Self-Describing Links: Avoid “Click here.” Instead, use “Read the Installation Guide.”
Organizing Code Blocks
- Specify Languages: Always add the language tag (e.g.,
```javascript) to enable syntax highlighting. - Copy Buttons: Remember that
docmdautomatically adds a copy button to every code block, so you don’t need to ask users to “copy and paste” manually.