Documentation Templates

---
name: documentation-templates
description: "Documentation templates and structure guidelines. README, API docs, code comments, and AI-friendly documentation."
risk: safe
source: community
date_added: "2026-02-27"
---

# Documentation Templates

> Templates and structure guidelines for common documentation types.

---

## 1. README Structure

### Essential Sections (Priority Order)

| Section | Purpose |
|---------|---------|
| **Title + One-liner** | What is this? |
| **Quick Start** | Running in <5 min |
| **Features** | What can I do? |
| **Configuration** | How to customize |
| **API Reference** | Link to detailed docs |
| **Contributing** | How to help |
| **License** | Legal |

### README Template

```markdown
# Project Name

Brief one-line description.

## Quick Start

[Minimum steps to run]

## Features

- Feature 1
- Feature 2

## Configuration

| Variable | Description | Default |
|----------|-------------|---------|
| PORT | Server port | 3000 |

## Documentation

- API Reference
- Architecture

## License

[Link to the actual project license; do not infer MIT]
```

---

## 2. API Documentation Structure

### Per-Endpoint Template

```markdown
## GET /users/:id

Get a user by ID.

**Parameters:**
| Name | Type | Required | Description |
|------|------|----------|-------------|
| id | string | Yes | User ID |

**Response:**
- 200: User object
- 404: User not found

**Example:**
[Request and response example]
```

---

## 3. Code Comment Guidelines

### JSDoc/TSDoc Template

```typescript
/**
 * Brief description of what the function does.
 * 
 * @param paramName - Description of parameter
 * @returns Description of return value
 * @throws ErrorType - When this error occurs
 * 
 * @example
 * const result = functionName(input);
 */
```

### When to Comment

| ✅ Comment | ❌ Don't Comment |
|-----------|-----------------|
| Why (business logic) | What (obvious) |
| Complex algorithms | Every line |
| Non-obvious behavior | Self-explanatory code |
| API contracts | Implementation details |

---

## 4. Changelog Template (Keep a Changelog)

```markdown
# Changelog

## [Unreleased]
### Added
- New feature

## [1.0.0] - 2025-01-01
### Added
- Initial release
### Changed
- Updated dependency
### Fixed
- Bug fix
```

---

## 5. Architecture Decision Record (ADR)

```markdown
# ADR-001: [Title]

## Status
Accepted / Deprecated / Superseded

## Context
Why are we making this decision?

## Decision
What did we decide?

## Consequences
What are the trade-offs?
```

---

## 6. AI-Friendly Documentation (2025)

### llms.txt Template

For AI crawlers and agents (the example.com links illustrate syntax; replace them with actual published project URLs):

```markdown
# Project Name
> One-line objective.

## Core Files
- [Main entry](https://example.com/project/src/index.ts): Application entry
- [API routes](https://example.com/project/src/api/): Endpoint implementation
- [Documentation](https://example.com/project/docs/): User and contributor guides

## Key Concepts
- Concept 1: Brief explanation
- Concept 2: Brief explanation
```

### MCP-Ready Documentation

For RAG indexing:
- Clear H1-H3 hierarchy
- JSON/YAML examples for data structures
- Mermaid diagrams for flows
- Self-contained sections

---

## 7. Structure Principles

| Principle | Why |
|-----------|-----|
| **Scannable** | Headers, lists, tables |
| **Examples first** | Show, don't just tell |
| **Progressive detail** | Simple → Complex |
| **Up to date** | Outdated = misleading |

---

> **Remember:** Templates are starting points. Adapt to your project's needs.

## When to Use
Use when an actual project needs a README, endpoint reference, changelog, ADR or agent-readable index, and you need a structure adapted to its existing conventions.

## Limitations
- Replace illustrative paths, commands, dates and defaults with verified project facts. Templates are not installed workflows or evidence that links and examples work.
- Preserve the actual license and confidentiality scope; do not publish private endpoints or invent accepted ADR decisions.
- Use this skill only when the task clearly matches the scope described above.
- Do not treat the output as a substitute for environment-specific validation, testing, or expert review.
- Stop and ask for clarification if required inputs, permissions, safety boundaries, or success criteria are missing.