Bad documentation isn't just unhelpful—it actively damages adoption. Here's how to write docs developers actually use.
The Documentation Audit
Before writing, assess: What questions do users actually have?
Support tickets reveal gaps. What do people ask repeatedly?
Search analytics show intent. What are people looking for?
User interviews surface confusion. Where do people get stuck?
The Four Types of Documentation
Tutorials guide newcomers through first experiences. Hand-holding is appropriate.
How-to guides solve specific problems. Task-focused, assume basic knowledge.
Reference documentation provides precise technical details. Completeness matters.
Explanations give context and background. Help users build mental models.
Most projects need all four. Each serves different needs.
Writing Principles
Start with what the user wants to accomplish, not what your product does.
Use concrete examples. Abstract explanations confuse; code samples clarify.
Keep paragraphs short. Scannable beats dense.
Link liberally. Users arrive at different points—help them find context.
Structure Matters
Consistent navigation. Users should always know where they are.
Progressive disclosure. Don't overwhelm upfront. Basics first, advanced later.
Searchable content. Ctrl+F is often the first interaction.
Maintenance
Docs rot. Code changes; docs lag behind.
Build docs into the development process. PR should update relevant docs.
Version docs with releases. Old versions need accessible documentation.
Set up alerts for broken links and outdated examples.
Testing Documentation
Have someone unfamiliar follow your tutorial. Watch where they struggle.
Check code examples actually run. Stale examples destroy trust.
Review regularly. Quarterly audit is a reasonable cadence.
At Logic Leap, we believe good documentation is a competitive advantage. Need help creating docs that actually get read? We can help.
What documentation practices have worked for your team?
Top comments (0)