Making them usable.
WHAT DOCUMENTATION MUST COVER
Every endpoint What each does Required and optional inputs, with types and constraints Response shape, with examples Every error that can be returned Authentication requirements Rate limits
WHAT TO PROVIDE
Working examples, that can be copied and run.
WHY
Examples are what people actually use.
WHAT TO GENERATE
The specification from the code, where possible.
WHY
Hand-written documentation diverges from reality.
WHAT TO INCLUDE BEYOND REFERENCE
A getting-started guide Authentication instructions Common workflows
WHY
Reference documentation alone does not tell someone how to begin.
WHAT TO VERSION
The documentation, alongside the API.
WHAT TO TEST
That the examples actually work.
WHY
Broken examples in documentation are worse than none.
WHAT TO PROVIDE FOR ERRORS
A list, with what causes each and what to do.
WHAT TO KEEP CURRENT
All of it, as part of every change.
WHAT TO MEASURE
Which endpoints are actually used.
