How to write your first API documentation

[Ehsanuls55]

Writing your first API documentation can seem intimidating, but with a little planning, you can make it easy to follow and user-friendly. Let's break it down into simple steps.

1. Understand your audience and create a user journey map
The first thing to consider is who will be reading your documentation. Is it for developers, beginners, or advanced users? Knowing your audience will help guide your writing.

To start, map out your user journey . Think about what users need to know in the first place, what problems they might encounter, and how your API helps them solve them. This knowledge will allow you to provide timely and relevant guidance.

2. Start with guidelines for common scenarios
Start building your documentation by addressing the most basic requirements. This can include general manager email list authentication, basic operations, and API pricing.

Explain how users can log in, successfully attempt an API call, and understand the result.

Use simple language so that even a beginner can follow it. Think of it like writing a basic recipe: clear and easy to execute.

3. Add code samples and error messages
People learn best through examples , so include some code samples that show how to make requests to the API. This could be in different programming languages, such as Python or JavaScript, depending on what your audience uses most.

Also, include examples of common error messages that users may encounter and explain what they mean. These examples will help users understand and troubleshoot problems quickly.