Best Practices
Documentation Standards
Create comprehensive, clear, and maintainable API documentation using OpenAPI, examples, and best practices.
Why Good Documentation Matters
Faster Integration
Developers can integrate your API quickly without support tickets.
Self-service onboarding
Reduced support burden
Higher developer satisfaction
Single Source of Truth
Keep documentation in sync with code to avoid confusion.
Auto-generated from code
Always up-to-date
Version-specific docs
OpenAPI Specification
OpenAPI 3.0 Schema
OpenAPI (formerly Swagger) is the industry standard for API documentation. It's machine-readable and generates interactive docs.
Basic OpenAPI Document
YAML
Generating Documentation
bash
Code Examples
Multi-Language Examples
Provide code examples in popular languages for every endpoint.
JavaScript / Node.js
javascript
Python
javascript
cURL
bash
Documentation Structure
Recommended Sections
1. Introduction
- • What the API does
- • Who it's for
- • Key features and benefits
- • Base URL and versioning
2. Quick Start Guide
- • Getting API credentials
- • Making your first request
- • Understanding responses
- • Example integration
3. Authentication
- • Authentication methods
- • Getting tokens
- • Token expiration and refresh
- • Security best practices
4. Endpoints Reference
- • Complete endpoint list
- • Parameters and body schemas
- • Response examples
- • Error codes
5. Error Handling
- • Error response format
- • Common error codes
- • Troubleshooting guide
- • Rate limiting
6. Tutorials & Use Cases
- • Step-by-step tutorials
- • Common integration patterns
- • Example applications
- • Best practices
7. Changelog
- • Version history
- • Breaking changes
- • New features
- • Deprecation notices
Endpoint Documentation Template
Complete Endpoint Example
bash
Maintaining a Changelog
Changelog Example
bash
Documentation Best Practices
Use OpenAPI specification: Machine-readable, generates interactive docs
Provide code examples: Show examples in multiple languages for every endpoint
Document all parameters: Include type, required/optional, defaults, validation rules
Show request and response examples: Real JSON examples for success and errors
Document error codes: List all possible errors with explanations
Include authentication details: How to get and use tokens
Provide quick start guide: Get developers up and running in 5 minutes
Maintain changelog: Track all changes with version numbers and dates
Keep docs in version control: Track changes alongside code
Test examples regularly: Ensure all code examples actually work
Make it searchable: Include search functionality in documentation
Update immediately: Document changes when you release them, not later