Generate API Documentation

Auto-generate API reference documentation

Instructions

1. API Documentation Strategy Analysis

   • Analyze current API structure and endpoints
   • Identify documentation requirements (REST, GraphQL, gRPC, etc.)
   • Assess existing code annotations and documentation
   • Determine documentation output formats and hosting requirements
   • Plan documentation automation and maintenance strategy

2. Documentation Tool Selection

   • Choose appropriate API documentation tools:
     • OpenAPI/Swagger: REST API documentation with Swagger UI
     • Redoc: Modern OpenAPI documentation renderer
     • GraphQL: GraphiQL, Apollo Studio, GraphQL Playground
     • Postman: API documentation with collections
     • Insomnia: API documentation and testing
     • API Blueprint: Markdown-based API documentation
     • JSDoc/TSDoc: Code-first documentation generation
   • Consider factors: API type, team workflow, hosting, interactivity

3. Code Annotation and Schema Definition

   • Add comprehensive code annotations for API endpoints
   • Define request/response schemas and data models
   • Add parameter descriptions and validation rules
   • Document authentication and authorization requirements
   • Add example requests and responses

4. API Specification Generation

   • Set up automated API specification generation from code
   • Configure OpenAPI/Swagger specification generation
   • Set up schema validation and consistency checking
   • Configure API versioning and changelog generation
   • Set up specification file management and version control

5. Interactive Documentation Setup

   • Configure interactive API documentation with try-it-out functionality
   • Set up API testing and example execution
   • Configure authentication handling in documentation
   • Set up request/response validation and examples
   • Configure API endpoint categorization and organization

6. Documentation Content Enhancement

   • Add comprehensive API guides and tutorials
   • Create authentication and authorization documentation
   • Add error handling and status code documentation
   • Create SDK and client library documentation
   • Add rate limiting and usage guidelines

7. Documentation Hosting and Deployment

   • Set up documentation hosting and deployment
   • Configure documentation website generation and styling
   • Set up custom domain and SSL configuration
   • Configure documentation search and navigation
   • Set up documentation analytics and usage tracking

8. Automation and CI/CD Integration

   • Configure automated documentation generation in CI/CD pipeline
   • Set up documentation deployment automation
   • Configure documentation validation and quality checks
   • Set up documentation change detection and notifications
   • Configure documentation testing and link validation

9. Multi-format Documentation Generation

   • Generate documentation in multiple formats (HTML, PDF, Markdown)
   • Set up downloadable documentation packages
   • Configure offline documentation access
   • Set up documentation API for programmatic access
   • Configure documentation syndication and distribution

10. Maintenance and Quality Assurance

    • Set up documentation quality monitoring and validation
    • Configure documentation feedback and improvement workflows
    • Set up documentation analytics and usage metrics
    • Create documentation maintenance procedures and guidelines
    • Train team on documentation best practices and tools
    • Set up documentation review and approval processes