Documentation

Documentation is a critical aspect of software development that ensures code is maintainable, usable, and accessible to current and future team members. ThinkCode provides powerful tools to help you create, maintain, and improve documentation with minimal friction, integrating AI assistance to supercharge your documentation workflows.

Understanding Documentation in ThinkCode

ThinkCode supports a comprehensive approach to documentation:

• Code Documentation: In-code comments, docstrings, and type definitions
• Project Documentation: READMEs, wikis, and user guides
• API Documentation: Endpoint specifications, parameter details, and examples
• User-Facing Documentation: Help content and feature explanations
• Process Documentation: Development practices and workflows

Getting Started with Documentation

Accessing Documentation Tools

ThinkCode provides multiple entry points for documentation features:

1. Command Palette: Open with ⌘/Ctrl + Shift + P and type "Document"
2. Context Menu: Right-click in code and select "Document"
3. Keyboard Shortcuts: Use preconfigured shortcuts for documentation tasks
4. AI Chat Panel: Ask the AI to help document code or explain concepts

Setting Up Documentation Preferences

Configure ThinkCode's documentation settings:

1. Navigate to Settings > Documentation
2. Configure preferences for:
   • Documentation style (format, level of detail)
   • Auto-documentation triggers
   • AI assistance level
   • Preview options
   • Templates and snippets

Code Documentation

Documenting Functions and Methods

Create clear, consistent function documentation:

1. Place cursor above a function or method
2. Press ⌘/Ctrl + . and select "Document Symbol"
3. Or type /** and press Enter above a function for automatic stub
4. Fill in parameters, return values, and examples
5. Add links to related functions or further reading

Example function documentation in JavaScript/TypeScript:

/**
 * Calculates the total price of items in a shopping cart with discounts applied.
 * 
 * @param {CartItem[]} items - Array of cart items to calculate total from
 * @param {Discount[]} [discounts=[]] - Optional array of discount objects to apply
 * @param {TaxRate} taxRate - The tax rate to apply to the subtotal
 * @returns {CartTotal} Object containing subtotal, discounts, tax and total
 * 
 * @example
 * const total = calculateCartTotal(
 *   [{id: 1, price: 10, quantity: 2}, {id: 2, price: 15, quantity: 1}],
 *   [{type: 'percentage', value: 10}],
 *   {rate: 0.08}
 * );
 * // Returns: { subtotal: 35, discountAmount: 3.5, taxAmount: 2.52, total: 34.02 }
 * 
 * @throws {ValidationError} If any item has invalid price or quantity
 * @see validateCartItems For validation implementation details
 */
function calculateCartTotal(items, discounts = [], taxRate) {
  // Implementation details...
}

Documenting Classes and Interfaces

Create comprehensive type documentation:

1. Position cursor above a class or interface
2. Use documentation generators or AI assistance
3. Document purpose, properties, methods, and usage examples
4. Include inheritance information and implementation notes
5. Add see-also references to related types

Example class documentation in TypeScript:

/**
 * Manages authentication processes and user sessions.
 * 
 * Handles user login, logout, token management, and session persistence.
 * Implements the OAuth 2.0 authorization flow for external providers.
 * 
 * @implements {AuthProvider}
 * @extends {EventEmitter}
 * 
 * @example
 * const auth = new AuthManager(config);
 * await auth.login(username, password);
 * if (auth.isAuthenticated) {
 *   // Access protected resources
 * }
 */
class AuthManager extends EventEmitter implements AuthProvider {
  // Class implementation...
}

Documenting Variables and Constants

Provide context for important variables:

1. Place cursor above a variable declaration
2. Insert appropriate documentation comment
3. Explain purpose, constraints, and acceptable values
4. Include units or format information if applicable

Example variable documentation:

/**
 * Maximum number of retry attempts for API calls.
 * 
 * Must be between 1-10. Higher values may impact
 * performance under high load conditions.
 * 
 * @default 3
 * @type {number}
 */
const MAX_RETRY_ATTEMPTS = 3;

Documenting Code Blocks

Clarify complex logic or algorithms:

1. Add comments above or within complex blocks
2. Explain the intent rather than restating the code
3. Include performance characteristics or edge cases
4. Add references to algorithms or patterns being used

Example code block documentation:

// Use binary search to efficiently find the closest matching product
// Time complexity: O(log n) where n is the number of products
// Space complexity: O(1)
function findClosestProduct(products, targetPrice) {
  let left = 0;
  let right = products.length - 1;
  let closest = null;
  
  // Binary search implementation
  while (left <= right) {
    // Implementation details...
  }
  
  return closest;
}

AI-Powered Documentation

ThinkCode's AI capabilities dramatically improve documentation workflows:

Generating Documentation

Create documentation automatically:

1. Select undocumented code
2. Right-click and select "AI: Generate Documentation"
3. Review and edit the generated documentation
4. Adjust detail level as needed
5. Apply the documentation to your code

Documentation Analysis

Improve existing documentation:

1. Select existing documentation
2. Right-click and select "AI: Analyze Documentation"
3. Review suggestions for:
   • Missing information
   • Outdated examples
   • Unclear explanations
   • Inconsistent style
4. Apply improvements with a single click

Documentation Translation

Create multilingual documentation:

1. Select documented code
2. Right-click and select "AI: Translate Documentation"
3. Choose target languages
4. Review translations for accuracy
5. Apply translated documentation to internationalized versions

Project Documentation

Creating READMEs and Getting Started Guides

Build comprehensive project documentation:

1. Open the Documentation Explorer in the Activity Bar
2. Click "New Documentation File" and select a template
3. Fill in project details, installation steps, and usage examples
4. Add screenshots or diagrams to illustrate key concepts
5. Include troubleshooting tips and FAQ sections

Documentation Templates

Use pre-built templates for consistency:

1. Access the template library from the Documentation Explorer
2. Choose from templates for different documentation types:
   • Project README
   • API documentation
   • Component library
   • Configuration guide
   • Troubleshooting manual
3. Customize templates to match your project requirements
4. Save custom templates for future use

Example README template structure:

# Project Name
 
Brief description of the project
 
## Features
 
- Feature 1
- Feature 2
- Feature 3
 
## Installation
 
```bash
npm install project-name

Quick Start

import { someFunction } from 'project-name';
 
// Example usage
someFunction();

API Documentation

someFunction()

Description and parameters...

Contributing

Guidelines for contributors...

License

License information...

### Documentation Preview

Review documentation appearance:

1. Open a documentation file (.md, .mdx, etc.)
2. Click the "Preview" button in the editor toolbar
3. See a rendered version with proper formatting
4. Use split view to edit and preview simultaneously
5. Check how documentation will appear in various contexts

## API Documentation

### OpenAPI/Swagger Integration

Document RESTful APIs:

1. Create or import OpenAPI/Swagger specifications
2. Edit API details using the integrated OpenAPI editor
3. Generate documentation from schemas
4. Test endpoints directly from documentation
5. Export documentation in multiple formats

Example OpenAPI operation:

```yaml
/users:
  get:
    summary: Retrieve a list of users
    description: |
      Returns a paginated list of users. 
      Results can be filtered by role or status.
    parameters:
      - name: role
        in: query
        description: Filter users by role
        schema:
          type: string
          enum: [admin, user, guest]
      - name: status
        in: query
        description: Filter users by status
        schema:
          type: string
          enum: [active, inactive, pending]
    responses:
      '200':
        description: A list of users
        content:
          application/json:
            schema:
              type: array
              items:
                $ref: '#/components/schemas/User'

GraphQL Schema Documentation

Document GraphQL APIs:

1. Import GraphQL schema
2. Add descriptions to types, fields, and operations
3. Generate interactive documentation
4. Include usage examples and authorization requirements
5. Export as static documentation

Example GraphQL schema with documentation:

"""
Represents a user in the system.
Users can have different roles and permissions.
"""
type User {
  """Unique identifier for the user"""
  id: ID!
  
  """User's full name"""
  name: String!
  
  """User's email address (must be unique)"""
  email: String!
  
  """
  User's role in the system.
  Determines access permissions.
  """
  role: UserRole!
  
  """
  List of projects the user is assigned to.
  Empty array if user isn't assigned to any projects.
  """
  projects: [Project!]!
}

Documentation Maintenance

Documentation Linting

Ensure consistent documentation quality:

1. Configure documentation linting rules in settings
2. Run "Lint Documentation" from the Command Palette
3. View and fix issues in the Problems panel
4. Set up automatic linting on save or commit
5. Integrate with CI/CD pipelines

Example documentation linting rules:

{
  "docs-linting": {
    "function-docs-required": true,
    "public-api-docs-required": true,
    "example-required": ["functions", "classes", "components"],
    "parameter-description-required": true,
    "return-description-required": true,
    "max-line-length": 80,
    "spelling-check": true
  }
}

Documentation Health Checks

Monitor documentation quality:

1. Open the Documentation Health dashboard
2. View coverage metrics and potential issues
3. Identify areas needing attention
4. Track documentation improvement over time
5. Set goals for documentation quality

Keeping Documentation Updated

Maintain documentation accuracy:

1. Enable "Documentation Drift Detection"
2. Receive alerts when code changes might affect documentation
3. Use AI assistance to update documentation
4. Schedule regular documentation reviews
5. Incorporate documentation updates into code review process

Best Practices for Documentation

Writing Clear Documentation

Create documentation that's easy to understand:

1. Use Plain Language: Avoid jargon and complex sentences
2. Be Concise: Include necessary information without verbosity
3. Add Examples: Provide code samples for key functionality
4. Use Visuals: Include diagrams for complex concepts
5. Consider the Audience: Adjust technical depth appropriately

Documentation Organization

Structure documentation for easy navigation:

1. Logical Hierarchy: Organize by feature or concept
2. Progressive Disclosure: Start with basics, then add complexity
3. Consistent Structure: Use similar patterns across documentation
4. Cross-References: Link related topics for easy navigation
5. Search Optimization: Include relevant keywords and tags

Collaborative Documentation

Create documentation as a team:

1. Establish style guides and templates
2. Assign documentation owners for different areas
3. Include documentation in code review process
4. Schedule regular documentation review sessions
5. Recognize and reward documentation contributions

Advanced Documentation Features

Interactive Documentation

Create engaging, interactive docs:

1. Embed runnable code examples
2. Add interactive diagrams
3. Include collapsible sections for detailed information
4. Create step-by-step tutorials with checkpoints
5. Add copy-to-clipboard functionality for code snippets

Documentation as Code

Manage documentation using development practices:

1. Store documentation in version control
2. Set up CI/CD for documentation builds
3. Implement automated testing for documentation
4. Use feature branches for documentation updates
5. Enable collaborative review for documentation changes

Troubleshooting

Common Documentation Issues

Solutions for documentation challenges:

1. Outdated Documentation

   • Enable drift detection
   • Schedule regular reviews
   • Link documentation directly to code
   • Use AI to suggest updates

2. Incomplete API Documentation

   • Use documentation generators
   • Add documentation checks to CI pipeline
   • Implement standards for required documentation
   • Use templates for consistency

3. Poor Search Results

   • Add proper metadata and tags
   • Structure documentation with clear headings
   • Build a terminology glossary
   • Optimize keyword usage in documentation

Further Resources

• AI-Assisted Development
• Code Review Workflows
• Knowledge Management
• Team Collaboration

Effective documentation is crucial for code maintainability, team onboarding, and user adoption. ThinkCode's documentation tools help reduce the effort required to create and maintain high-quality documentation, allowing you to focus on writing great code while ensuring it remains accessible and understandable for everyone who needs to work with it.