Open Source Documentation

Open Source DocumentationThat Builds Communities

Great open source projects need great documentation. We help you create welcoming, comprehensive documentation that attracts contributors, supports users, and builds thriving communities around your project.

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Why Open Source Documentation Matters

In open source, documentation isn't just about explaining code—it's about building communities, enabling contributions, and ensuring project sustainability.

Community Growth

Well-documented projects attract more contributors and users, creating a virtuous cycle of growth and improvement.

Contributor Experience

Clear contribution guidelines and documentation lower barriers to entry, encouraging more people to get involved.

Project Sustainability

Good documentation ensures knowledge transfer and helps projects survive maintainer changes and scaling challenges.

Open Source Documentation Essentials

Comprehensive documentation that serves both users and contributors, from first-time visitors to long-term maintainers.

README Files

Compelling project introductions that explain what your project does, why it matters, and how to get started.

Contributing Guides

Clear guidelines for how people can contribute code, documentation, bug reports, and other improvements.

Code Documentation

Inline documentation, API references, and architectural guides that help developers understand the codebase.

Installation Guides

Step-by-step instructions for installing and configuring your project across different environments.

Community Guidelines

Codes of conduct, governance models, and community standards that create welcoming environments.

Release Documentation

Changelogs, migration guides, and release notes that help users understand project evolution.

Open Source Success Stories

See how improved documentation transforms open source projects and their communities.

Developer Tools Library

Challenge: Complex installation process was preventing adoption

Solution: Created comprehensive installation guides with environment-specific instructions

Result: 300% increase in successful installations and 150% growth in contributor base

ML Framework

Challenge: Lack of examples made it hard for new users to get started

Solution: Developed extensive tutorial series with practical examples and use cases

Result: Doubled user engagement and reduced support questions by 70%

API Client Library

Challenge: Contributing guidelines were unclear, limiting community involvement

Solution: Revamped contribution process with clear guidelines and templates

Result: Tripled number of external contributors and improved code quality

DevOps Tool

Challenge: Poor documentation led to frequent user errors and frustration

Solution: Complete documentation overhaul with troubleshooting guides and best practices

Result: Reduced issue reports by 60% and improved user satisfaction scores

Our Open Source Process

A community-focused approach that creates documentation that serves your project's unique needs and growth goals.

Community Assessment

Analyze your current community, identify key user personas, and understand contribution patterns.

Content Audit

Evaluate existing documentation, identify gaps, and prioritize improvements based on community needs.

Collaborative Creation

Work with maintainers and community members to create documentation that reflects project values.

Community Integration

Establish processes for keeping documentation updated and enable community contribution to docs.

Supporting Open Source Communities

We believe in the power of open source to drive innovation and create positive change. That's why we offer special programs for open source projects.

OSS Program

Reduced rates for qualified open source projects, particularly those focused on developer tools, education, and community building.

Apply for OSS Program

Community Workshops

Free workshops and resources to help open source maintainers improve their documentation and community management skills.

Request Workshop

Ready to Grow Your Open Source Community?

Great documentation is the foundation of thriving open source communities. Let's create documentation that welcomes contributors and empowers users.

Improve Your OSS Docs View OSS Examples