Component Doc Template

A component doc template provides standardized structure for documenting individual design system components. Templates ensure every component receives comprehensive documentation in consistent format. Using templates reduces authoring effort while improving documentation quality and usability.

What Is a Component Doc Template

A component doc template is a predefined structure specifying what sections and information every component documentation page should include. Templates might require component description, prop documentation, usage examples, accessibility information, and related components. Authors follow the template, filling in component-specific content.

Templates reflect documentation standards. When teams determine what constitutes complete component documentation, that determination becomes the template. Consistency across component pages helps users find information predictably.

How Component Doc Templates Work

Component doc templates typically include required sections that every component page must have and optional sections that appear when relevant. Required sections might include description, basic usage, props, and accessibility. Optional sections might include advanced usage, migration notes, or design specifications.

Section prompts guide authors on what content each section needs. Rather than just a heading, prompts explain what information to include and what format to use. Prompts make templates self-documenting for authors unfamiliar with documentation standards.

Template implementation varies. Markdown templates are files authors copy and customize. Documentation generators may create pages from templates automatically. Storybook MDX templates define documentation structure that autodocs can populate.

Key Considerations

• Required sections should cover essential information every component needs
• Section prompts should explain what content each section requires
• Template structure should match how users consume component documentation
• Flexibility should accommodate components with unique documentation needs

Common Questions

What sections should component documentation templates include?

Essential sections include component description explaining purpose and use cases, props or API reference with types and defaults, basic usage example showing minimum implementation, accessibility covering keyboard behavior and ARIA requirements, and related components linking to similar or complementary components. Additional valuable sections include design specifications, behavior documentation, do and don’t examples, and implementation notes. Teams should include sections that match their documentation standards and user needs.

How do teams ensure authors follow templates correctly?

Ensuring template compliance combines guidance and verification. Clear section prompts explain requirements within the template itself. Documentation contribution guides explain how to use templates. Review checklists verify template sections are complete. Automated checks can validate that required sections exist. Gradual refinement addresses gaps as review reveals common template deviations. The goal is making correct usage easier than deviation.

Summary

Component doc templates standardize structure for component documentation, ensuring comprehensive and consistent pages. Templates include required and optional sections with prompts explaining content needs. Implementation and verification processes ensure templates are followed correctly across all component documentation.