Documentation Writing Skill

When writing documentation

Start here

1. Who is this for? Match complexity to audience. Don't oversimplify hard things or overcomplicate simple ones.
2. What do they need? Get them to the answer fast. Nobody wants to be in docs longer than necessary.
3. What did you struggle with? Those common questions you had when learning? Answer them (without literally including the question).

Writing process

• Write out the steps/explanation as you'd tell a colleague
• Lead with what to do, then explain why
• Use headings that state your point: "Set SAML before adding users" not "SAML configuration timing"

• Read aloud. Does it sound like you talking? If it's too formal, simplify.
• Cut anything that doesn't directly help the reader
• Check each paragraph has one clear purpose
• Verify examples actually work (don't give examples that error)

• Make links descriptive (never "here")
• Backticks only for code/variables, bold for UI elements
• American spelling, serial commas
• Keep images minimal and scoped tight

• Run prettier on the file after making edits:

  yarn prettier --write <file-path>

• This ensures consistent formatting across all documentation

Common patterns

Run:
\`\`\`
command-to-run
\`\`\`

Then:
\`\`\`
next-command
\`\`\`

This ensures you're getting the latest changes.

• "Use environment variables for configuration" ✅
• "Environment variables" ❌ (too vague)
• "How to use environment variables for configuration" ❌ (too wordy)

• "Check out the SAML documentation" ✅
• "Read the docs here" ❌

Watch out for

• Describing tasks as "easy" (you don't know the reader's context)
• Using "we" when talking about Metabase features (use "Metabase" or "it")
• Formal language: "utilize", "reference", "offerings"
• Too peppy: multiple exclamation points
• Burying the action in explanation
• Code examples that don't work
• Numbers that will become outdated

Quick reference