The Documentation Mistake
We built a powerful API. Nobody used it.
Why? Our docs were terrible.
Here's how to do it right.
What Developers Actually Need
1. Authentication
How do I get an API key? How do I use it?
Clear examples. Copy-pasteable code.
2. The Core Endpoint
Show the most important endpoint first.
Not the authentication endpoint. The "get started" endpoint.
3. Error Codes
What do errors mean?
Don't just list codes. Explain what happened and how to fix it.
The Format
OpenAPI Spec
Start with OpenAPI/Swagger.
Generate docs from code. Keeps docs in sync.
MDX for Guides
API reference is machine-generated. Guides are written.
Quickstart. Authentication. Common patterns.
The Checklist
- Authentication explained with examples
- Core endpoint documented with copy-paste code
- Error codes explained
- Rate limits documented
- Quickstart guide
- Authentication guide
- Common use cases with examples
- SDK if applicable
The Honest Take
Docs aren't optional.
Great docs = great adoption. Terrible docs = nobody integrates.
Invest in docs. Invest in adoption.
