John Lancaster
64 lines
2.7 KiB
Markdown
64 lines
2.7 KiB
Markdown
# Code-Heavy Documentation with mkdocstrings
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Use this reference when your docs include API surfaces, function/class documentation, and source-driven technical reference.
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## Why mkdocstrings
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mkdocstrings helps generate and maintain API reference pages directly from code and docstrings, reducing drift between implementation and docs.
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!!! info "Primary docs"
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- [mkdocstrings home](https://mkdocstrings.github.io/)
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- [mkdocstrings Python handler](https://mkdocstrings.github.io/python/)
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- [Griffe Python parsing engine](https://mkdocstrings.github.io/griffe/)
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## When to Use It
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- You maintain Python modules/classes/functions that need searchable reference docs.
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- You want hand-written concept/task docs plus generated API reference pages.
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- You need consistent signatures, type hints, and docstring rendering.
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## Recommended Documentation Split
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1. Hand-authored docs for concepts, architecture, and tasks.
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2. Generated docs (mkdocstrings) for API details.
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3. Cross-links in both directions:
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- task pages link to specific API entries
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- API pages link to practical guides and examples
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## Minimal Integration Pattern
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1. Add mkdocstrings and a Python handler package to project dependencies.
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2. Configure the Zensical docs toolchain to enable mkdocstrings within the site build.
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3. Create one API index page per package/domain.
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4. Expand coverage gradually from high-value modules first.
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!!! info "General reference examples"
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- [Zensical docs home and setup entry point](https://zensical.org/docs/)
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- [Zensical code blocks and authoring patterns](https://zensical.org/docs/authoring/code-blocks/)
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- [Zensical customization overview](https://zensical.org/docs/customization/)
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!!! note "Compatibility"
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Zensical is generally expected to remain compatible with MkDocs-style configuration patterns, but prefer Zensical-native documentation and examples when they cover the same behavior.
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## Authoring Guidance for Docstrings
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- Begin with a one-line summary in imperative or descriptive form.
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- Document parameters, return values, raised exceptions, and side effects.
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- Include short examples for non-obvious usage.
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- Keep terminology aligned with task docs and architecture pages.
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## Quality Gates for Code-Heavy Docs
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- API pages build cleanly and include expected modules.
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- Symbols are grouped by domain, not dumped in one long page.
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- Public APIs have meaningful docstrings before publishing.
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- Generated reference pages are linked from user-facing docs.
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- Search can find both conceptual guides and concrete API entries.
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## Common Pitfalls
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- Treating generated API docs as a replacement for task documentation.
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- Publishing API pages without module-level context.
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- Letting undocumented public APIs accumulate.
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- Not reviewing generated pages after refactors.
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