JSDoc Component Docs

JSDoc component docs use standardized comment syntax to embed documentation directly within component source code. JSDoc comments provide descriptions, examples, and metadata that documentation tools extract automatically. This approach keeps documentation close to the code it describes, improving accuracy and maintenance.

What Is JSDoc for Component Documentation

JSDoc is a documentation standard that uses specially formatted comments to describe code. For components, JSDoc comments document the component itself, its props, methods, and usage examples. Documentation generators parse these comments to produce API references and usage guides.

JSDoc works with both JavaScript and TypeScript, though TypeScript provides additional type information beyond what JSDoc describes. Comments use a syntax with tags like @param, @returns, @example, and @deprecated to structure documentation. The format has broad tool support across the JavaScript ecosystem.

How JSDoc Component Documentation Works

JSDoc comments appear immediately before the code they document, using the /** */ comment syntax. For component props, comments typically appear above interface properties or PropTypes definitions. Component-level comments describe the component’s purpose and general usage patterns.

Documentation tools parse JSDoc comments by recognizing the /** delimiter and extracting tag-value pairs. The @param tag documents function parameters, while @prop documents object properties. The @example tag provides code examples that some tools render with syntax highlighting. The @deprecated tag marks outdated APIs with migration guidance.

TypeScript combined with JSDoc provides comprehensive documentation coverage. TypeScript handles type information while JSDoc adds descriptions, examples, and semantic annotations. Tools like react-docgen extract both sources to produce complete prop documentation.

Key Considerations

• Consistent JSDoc formatting across all components improves documentation quality and extraction reliability
• The @example tag supports multi-line code examples for demonstrating usage patterns
• The @see tag creates cross-references between related components and documentation
• The @deprecated tag should include migration instructions, not just deprecation notices

Common Questions

What JSDoc tags are most important for component documentation?

Essential JSDoc tags for components include @description or the default comment text for component and prop descriptions, @default for documenting default values not obvious from code, @example for usage code samples, @deprecated for outdated props with migration paths, and @see for references to related components or external documentation. The @param tag documents callback prop parameters. Less common but useful tags include @since for version information and @internal to mark props not intended for public use.

How do teams enforce JSDoc documentation standards?

Enforcing JSDoc standards requires tooling and process integration. ESLint plugins like eslint-plugin-jsdoc validate JSDoc presence and format. Rules can require JSDoc on exported components, validate tag usage, and check description completeness. TypeScript’s checkJs and strict modes catch documentation-type mismatches. Pull request reviews should include documentation quality checks. Some teams use documentation coverage tools to identify undocumented components. Automated enforcement prevents documentation debt from accumulating.

Summary

JSDoc component documentation embeds documentation directly in source code, improving accuracy and maintenance. Standard tags provide structure for descriptions, examples, and metadata. Combined with TypeScript types and automated extraction, JSDoc enables comprehensive component documentation with minimal manual documentation site maintenance.