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Generate API Documentation

Auto-generate API reference documentation

Instructions

  1. API Documentation Strategy Analysis
  2. Analyze current API structure and endpoints
  3. Identify documentation requirements (REST, GraphQL, gRPC, etc.)
  4. Assess existing code annotations and documentation
  5. Determine documentation output formats and hosting requirements

  6. Plan documentation automation and maintenance strategy

  7. Documentation Tool Selection

  8. 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

  9. Consider factors: API type, team workflow, hosting, interactivity

  10. Code Annotation and Schema Definition

  11. Add comprehensive code annotations for API endpoints
  12. Define request/response schemas and data models
  13. Add parameter descriptions and validation rules
  14. Document authentication and authorization requirements

  15. Add example requests and responses

  16. API Specification Generation

  17. Set up automated API specification generation from code
  18. Configure OpenAPI/Swagger specification generation
  19. Set up schema validation and consistency checking
  20. Configure API versioning and changelog generation

  21. Set up specification file management and version control

  22. Interactive Documentation Setup

  23. Configure interactive API documentation with try-it-out functionality
  24. Set up API testing and example execution
  25. Configure authentication handling in documentation
  26. Set up request/response validation and examples

  27. Configure API endpoint categorization and organization

  28. Documentation Content Enhancement

  29. Add comprehensive API guides and tutorials
  30. Create authentication and authorization documentation
  31. Add error handling and status code documentation
  32. Create SDK and client library documentation

  33. Add rate limiting and usage guidelines

  34. Documentation Hosting and Deployment

  35. Set up documentation hosting and deployment
  36. Configure documentation website generation and styling
  37. Set up custom domain and SSL configuration
  38. Configure documentation search and navigation

  39. Set up documentation analytics and usage tracking

  40. Automation and CI/CD Integration

  41. Configure automated documentation generation in CI/CD pipeline
  42. Set up documentation deployment automation
  43. Configure documentation validation and quality checks
  44. Set up documentation change detection and notifications

  45. Configure documentation testing and link validation

  46. Multi-format Documentation Generation

  47. Generate documentation in multiple formats (HTML, PDF, Markdown)
  48. Set up downloadable documentation packages
  49. Configure offline documentation access
  50. Set up documentation API for programmatic access

  51. Configure documentation syndication and distribution

  52. 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