Central Theme
The article introduces Diátaxis, a systematic framework for authoring technical documentation. It proposes a user-centric approach that solves common problems related to documentation content, style, and architecture by organizing information based on distinct user needs.
Key Points & Arguments
The core of the Diátaxis framework is the identification of four fundamental types of documentation, each serving a different user purpose and context (e.g., practical application vs. theoretical study):
- Tutorials: Learning-oriented, practical lessons designed to guide a newcomer through a project or feature.
- How-to Guides: Goal-oriented, step-by-step instructions to help a user solve a specific, real-world problem.
- Reference: Technical, fact-based descriptions of the machinery, such as API endpoints or configuration parameters. Their purpose is to provide accurate information.
- Explanation: Conceptual, background information that clarifies and illuminates a particular topic, fostering deeper understanding.
The framework argues that by strictly separating content into these four categories, documentation becomes clearer, more predictable, and easier for users to navigate.
Conclusions & Takeaways
Adopting the Diátaxis framework provides a clear structure that benefits both documentation users and creators. For users, it ensures they can find the right type of content for their immediate need. For creators, it offers a lightweight, easy-to-apply system that simplifies decisions about where new content should live. The article notes that this framework is proven in practice and has been successfully adopted by companies like Cloudflare, Gatsby, and Vonage.
Mentoring Question
Considering your current documentation (or a project you know well), how does its structure align with the four Diátaxis quadrants? Can you identify content that mixes these types, and how might separating it improve the user experience?
Source: https://diataxis.fr/
Leave a Reply