💡 Tips for Efficient Documentation

🎯 Core Principles

1. Start Simple

• index.md - What the project is and why it exists
• installation.md - How to get started (prerequisites, setup)
• quick-start.md - First successful use in 5 minutes
• api.md - Core functionality reference

2. Organize by Audience

docs/
├── users/             # For end users
│   ├── getting-started.md
│   ├── tutorials/
│   └── faq.md
├── developers/        # For developers
│   ├── contributing.md
│   ├── architecture.md
│   └── api-reference/
├── administrators/    # For administrators
│   ├── deployment.md
│   ├── configuration.md
│   └── monitoring.md
└── assets/           # Images, diagrams, videos

3. Use Conventions

# Use hierarchical headings (max 4 levels)
## Main section
### Subsection
#### Details

# Include runnable code examples
```bash
# Install with Bun (following project standards)
bun install my-project

# Quick test
bun run my-project --version

Add expected outputs

✅ my-project v1.2.3

📝 Content Best Practices

4. Write for Scanning

• Use bullet points and numbered lists
• Add visual breaks with emojis or icons
• Include table of contents for long documents
• Use callout boxes for important information

💡 Tip: Most users scan before reading. Make key information easy to find.

5. Include Real Examples

// ❌ Bad: Abstract example
const result = doSomething(data);

// ✅ Good: Concrete, realistic example
const userProfile = await fetchUser('john.doe@example.com');
console.log(`Welcome, ${userProfile.name}!`);

6. Show Expected Outcomes

Always include what users should expect to see:

bun test

Expected output:

✓ All tests passed (15/15)
✓ Coverage: 95%
⏱️  Time: 2.3s

🔧 Technical Documentation

7. Document Edge Cases

• Error scenarios and troubleshooting
• Platform-specific considerations
• Performance implications
• Security considerations

8. API Documentation Standards

## `createUser(userData)`

**Parameters:**
- `userData` (Object) - User information
  - `email` (string, required) - Valid email address
  - `name` (string, required) - Full name (2-50 chars)
  - `role` (string, optional) - Default: 'user'

**Returns:** Promise<User>

**Example:**
```javascript
const newUser = await createUser({
  email: 'jane@example.com',
  name: 'Jane Smith',
  role: 'admin'
});

Throws:

• ValidationError - Invalid input data
• DuplicateError - Email already exists

## 🚀 Automation & Maintenance

### **9. Automate Documentation**
```json
// package.json
{
  "scripts": {
    "docs:build": "bun run generate-docs",
    "docs:serve": "bun run serve-docs",
    "docs:validate": "bun run check-links"
  }
}

10. Keep Documentation Fresh

• Link documentation updates to code changes
• Use automated link checking
• Regular review cycles (monthly/quarterly)
• Version documentation with releases

11. Use Documentation as Code

# .github/workflows/docs.yml
name: Documentation
on:
  push:
    paths: ['docs/**', '*.md']
jobs:
  validate:
    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
    steps:
      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
      - uses: oven-sh/setup-bun@v1
      - run: bun install
      - run: bun run docs:validate

📊 Quality Metrics

12. Measure Documentation Effectiveness

• Track user completion rates
• Monitor support ticket reduction
• Gather feedback through surveys
• Use analytics on documentation pages

13. Accessibility & Internationalization

• Use semantic HTML in markdown
• Provide alt text for images
• Consider multiple languages for global projects
• Test with screen readers

🎨 Visual Enhancement

14. Use Diagrams and Visuals

graph TD
    A[User Request] --> B{Authentication}
    B -->|Valid| C[Process Request]
    B -->|Invalid| D[Return Error]
    C --> E[Return Response]

15. Consistent Formatting

• Same heading style throughout
• Standard format for code examples
• Consistent tone of voice (formal vs. casual)
• Use templates for common document types

🔍 Advanced Tips

16. Interactive Documentation

• Embed runnable code examples
• Use interactive API explorers
• Include video tutorials for complex processes
• Provide downloadable examples

17. Community Contribution

## Contributing to Documentation

1. Fork the repository
2. Create a branch: `git checkout -b docs/improve-api-guide`
3. Make changes in the `docs/` folder
4. Test locally: `bun run docs:serve`
5. Submit a pull request

### Documentation Standards
- Follow the style guide in `docs/style-guide.md`
- Include examples for all code snippets
- Test all commands and code examples

18. Maintain Consistency

• Create and follow a style guide
• Use linting tools for markdown
• Establish review processes
• Regular audits for outdated content

📚 Quick Reference

🎯 Remember: Good documentation is like good code - it should be clear, maintainable, and serve its users effectively.