This styleguide recommends best practices to improve documentation and to keep
it organized and easy to find.
The documentation style guide defines the markup structure used in
GitLab documentation. Check the
[documentation guidelines](writing_documentation.md) for general development instructions.
See also [writing documentation](writing_documentation.md).
## Location and naming of documents
>**Note:**
These guidelines derive from the discussion taken place in issue [#3349][ce-3349].
The documentation hierarchy can be vastly improved by providing a better layout
and organization of directories.
Having a structured document layout, we will be able to have meaningful URLs
like `docs.gitlab.com/user/project/merge_requests.html`. With this pattern,
you can immediately tell that you are navigating a user related documentation
and is about the project and its merge requests.
Do not create summaries of similar types of content (e.g. an index of all articles, videos, etc.),
rather organise content by its subject (e.g. everything related to CI goes together)
and cross-link between any related content.
The table below shows what kind of documentation goes where.
| Directory | What belongs here |
| --------- | -------------- |
| `doc/user/` | User related documentation. Anything that can be done within the GitLab UI goes here including `/admin`. |
| `doc/administration/` | Documentation that requires the user to have access to the server where GitLab is installed. The admin settings that can be accessed via GitLab's interface go under `doc/user/admin_area/`. |
| `doc/api/` | API related documentation. |
| `doc/development/` | Documentation related to the development of GitLab. Any styleguides should go here. |
| `doc/legal/` | Legal documents about contributing to GitLab. |
| `doc/install/`| Probably the most visited directory, since `installation.md` is there. Ideally this should go under `doc/administration/`, but it's best to leave it as-is in order to avoid confusion (still debated though). |
| `doc/update/` | Same with `doc/install/`. Should be under `administration/`, but this is a well known location, better leave as-is, at least for now. |
| `doc/topics/` | Indexes per Topic (`doc/topics/topic-name/index.md`): all resources for that topic (user and admin documentation, articles, and third-party docs) |
---
**General rules:**
1. The correct naming and location of a new document, is a combination
of the relative URL of the document in question and the GitLab Map design
that is used for UX purposes ([source][graffle], [image][gitlab-map]).
1. When creating a new document and it has more than one word in its name,
make sure to use underscores instead of spaces or dashes (`-`). For example,
a proper naming would be `import_projects_from_github.md`. The same rule
applies to images.
1. There are four main directories, `user`, `administration`, `api` and `development`.
1. The `doc/user/` directory has five main subdirectories: `project/`, `group/`,
`profile/`, `dashboard/` and `admin_area/`.
1.`doc/user/project/` should contain all project related documentation.
1.`doc/user/group/` should contain all group related documentation.
1.`doc/user/profile/` should contain all profile related documentation.
Every page you would navigate under `/profile` should have its own document,
i.e. `account.md`, `applications.md`, `emails.md`, etc.
1.`doc/user/dashboard/` should contain all dashboard related documentation.
1.`doc/user/admin_area/` should contain all admin related documentation
describing what can be achieved by accessing GitLab's admin interface
(_not to be confused with `doc/administration` where server access is
required_).
1. Every category under `/admin/application_settings` should have its
own document located at `doc/user/admin_area/settings/`. For example,
the **Visibility and Access Controls** category should have a document
located at `doc/user/admin_area/settings/visibility_and_access_controls.md`.
1. The `doc/topics/` directory holds topic-related technical content. Create
`doc/topics/topic-name/subtopic-name/index.md` when subtopics become necessary.
General user- and admin- related documentation, should be placed accordingly.
---
If you are unsure where a document should live, you can ping `@axil` or `@marcia` in your
merge request.
Check the GitLab hanbook for the [writing styles guidelines](https://about.gitlab.com/handbook/communication/#writing-style-guidelines).
## Text
- Split up long lines, this makes it much easier to review and edit. Only
- Split up long lines (wrap text), this makes it much easier to review and edit. Only
double line breaks are shown as a full line break in [GitLab markdown][gfm].
80-100 characters is a good line length
- Make sure that the documentation is added in the correct directory and that
- Make sure that the documentation is added in the correct
[directory](writing_documentation.md#documentation-directory-structure) and that
there's a link to it somewhere useful
- Do not duplicate information
- Be brief and clear
- Unless there's a logical reason not to, add documents in alphabetical order
- Write in US English
- Use [single spaces][] instead of double spaces
- Jump a line between different markups (e.g., after every paragraph, hearder, list, etc)
-**General Documentation**: written by the [developers responsible by creating features](#contributing-to-docs). Should be submitted in the same merge request containing code. Feature proposals (by GitLab contributors) should also be accompanied by its respective documentation. They can be later improved by PMs and Technical Writers.
-**[Technical articles](#technical-articles)**: written by any [GitLab Team](https://about.gitlab.com/team/) member, GitLab contributors, or [Community Writers](https://about.gitlab.com/community-writers/).
-**Indexes per topic**: initially prepared by the Technical Writing Team, and kept up-to-date by developers and PMs in the same merge request containing code. They gather all resources for that topic in a single page (user and admin documentation, articles, and third-party docs).
## Documentation style guidelines
All the docs follow the same [styleguide](doc_styleguide.md).
## Contributing to docs
Whenever a feature is changed, updated, introduced, or deprecated, the merge
...
...
@@ -29,23 +25,16 @@ Whenever you submit a merge request for the documentation, use the documentation
Please check the [documentation workflow](https://about.gitlab.com/handbook/product/technical-writing/workflow/) before getting started.
### Documentation directory structure
The documentation is structured based on the GitLab UI structure itself,
separated by [`user`](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab-ce/tree/master/doc/user),
[`administrator`](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab-ce/tree/master/doc/administration), and [`contributor`](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab-ce/tree/master/doc/development).
To learn where to place a new document, check the [documentation style guide](doc_styleguide.md#location-and-naming-of-documents).
## Documentation structure
In order to have a [solid site structure](https://searchengineland.com/seo-benefits-developing-solid-site-structure-277456) for our documentation,
all docs should be linked. Every new document should be cross-linked to its related documentation, and linked from its topic-related index, when existent.
- Overview and use cases: what it is, why it is necessary, why one would use it
- Requirements: what do we need to get started
- Tutorial: how to set it up, how to use it
The directories `/workflow/`, `/gitlab-basics/`, `/university/`, and `/articles/` have
been deprecated and the majority their docs have been moved to their correct location
in small iterations. Don't create new docs in these folders.
Always link a new document from its topic-related index, otherwise, it will
not be included it in the documentation site search.
To move a document from its location to another directory, read the section
[changing document location](doc_styleguide.md#changing-document-location) of the doc style guide.
_Note: to be extended._
### Feature overview and use cases
...
...
@@ -75,16 +64,169 @@ overview there.
> **Overview** and **use cases** are required to **every** Enterprise Edition feature,
and for every **major** feature present in Community Edition.
### Markdown
## Markdown and styles
Currently GitLab docs use Redcarpet as [markdown](../user/markdown.md) engine, but there's an [open discussion](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-com/gitlab-docs/issues/50) for implementing Kramdown in the near future.
### Previewing locally
All the docs follow the [documentation style guidelines](doc_styleguide.md).
To preview your changes to documentation locally, please follow
this [development guide](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-com/gitlab-docs/blob/master/README.md#development).
## Documentation directory structure
The documentation is structured based on the GitLab UI structure itself,
separated by [`user`](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab-ce/tree/master/doc/user),
[`administrator`](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab-ce/tree/master/doc/administration), and [`contributor`](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab-ce/tree/master/doc/development).
In order to have a [solid site structure](https://searchengineland.com/seo-benefits-developing-solid-site-structure-277456) for our documentation,
all docs should be linked. Every new document should be cross-linked to its related documentation, and linked from its topic-related index, when existent.
The directories `/workflow/`, `/gitlab-basics/`, `/university/`, and `/articles/` have
been deprecated and the majority their docs have been moved to their correct location
in small iterations. Please don't create new docs in these folders.
### Location and naming documents
The documentation hierarchy can be vastly improved by providing a better layout
and organization of directories.
Having a structured document layout, we will be able to have meaningful URLs
like `docs.gitlab.com/user/project/merge_requests/index.html`. With this pattern,
you can immediately tell that you are navigating a user related documentation
and is about the project and its merge requests.
Do not create summaries of similar types of content (e.g. an index of all articles, videos, etc.),
rather organize content by its subject (e.g. everything related to CI goes together)
and cross-link between any related content.
The table below shows what kind of documentation goes where.
| Directory | What belongs here |
| --------- | -------------- |
| `doc/user/` | User related documentation. Anything that can be done within the GitLab UI goes here including `/admin`. |
| `doc/administration/` | Documentation that requires the user to have access to the server where GitLab is installed. The admin settings that can be accessed via GitLab's interface go under `doc/user/admin_area/`. |
| `doc/api/` | API related documentation. |
| `doc/development/` | Documentation related to the development of GitLab. Any styleguides should go here. |
| `doc/legal/` | Legal documents about contributing to GitLab. |
| `doc/install/`| Probably the most visited directory, since `installation.md` is there. Ideally this should go under `doc/administration/`, but it's best to leave it as-is in order to avoid confusion (still debated though). |
| `doc/update/` | Same with `doc/install/`. Should be under `administration/`, but this is a well known location, better leave as-is, at least for now. |
| `doc/topics/` | Indexes per Topic (`doc/topics/topic-name/index.md`): all resources for that topic (user and admin documentation, articles, and third-party docs) |
---
**General rules:**
1. The correct naming and location of a new document, is a combination
of the relative URL of the document in question and the GitLab Map design
that is used for UX purposes ([source][graffle], [image][gitlab-map]).
1. When creating a new document and it has more than one word in its name,
make sure to use underscores instead of spaces or dashes (`-`). For example,
a proper naming would be `import_projects_from_github.md`. The same rule
applies to images.
1. Start a new directory with an `index.md` file.
1. There are four main directories, `user`, `administration`, `api` and `development`.
1. The `doc/user/` directory has five main subdirectories: `project/`, `group/`,
`profile/`, `dashboard/` and `admin_area/`.
1.`doc/user/project/` should contain all project related documentation.
1.`doc/user/group/` should contain all group related documentation.
1.`doc/user/profile/` should contain all profile related documentation.
Every page you would navigate under `/profile` should have its own document,
i.e. `account.md`, `applications.md`, `emails.md`, etc.
1.`doc/user/dashboard/` should contain all dashboard related documentation.
1.`doc/user/admin_area/` should contain all admin related documentation
describing what can be achieved by accessing GitLab's admin interface
(_not to be confused with `doc/administration` where server access is
required_).
1. Every category under `/admin/application_settings` should have its
own document located at `doc/user/admin_area/settings/`. For example,
the **Visibility and Access Controls** category should have a document
located at `doc/user/admin_area/settings/visibility_and_access_controls.md`.
1. The `doc/topics/` directory holds topic-related technical content. Create
`doc/topics/topic-name/subtopic-name/index.md` when subtopics become necessary.
General user- and admin- related documentation, should be placed accordingly.
If you are unsure where a document should live, you can ping `@axil` or `@marcia` in your
merge request.
### Changing document location
Changing a document's location is not to be taken lightly. Remember that the
documentation is available to all installations under `help/` and not only to
GitLab.com or http://docs.gitlab.com. Make sure this is discussed with the
Documentation team beforehand.
If you indeed need to change a document's location, do NOT remove the old
document, but rather replace all of its contents with a new line:
```
This document was moved to [another location](path/to/new_doc.md).
```
where `path/to/new_doc.md` is the relative path to the root directory `doc/`.
---
For example, if you were to move `doc/workflow/lfs/lfs_administration.md` to
`doc/administration/lfs.md`, then the steps would be:
1. Copy `doc/workflow/lfs/lfs_administration.md` to `doc/administration/lfs.md`
1. Replace the contents of `doc/workflow/lfs/lfs_administration.md` with:
```
This document was moved to [another location](../../administration/lfs.md).
```
1. Find and replace any occurrences of the old location with the new one.
A quick way to find them is to use `git grep`. First go to the root directory
where you cloned the `gitlab-ce` repository and then do:
### Testing
```
git grep -n "workflow/lfs/lfs_administration"
git grep -n "lfs/lfs_administration"
```
NOTE: **Note:**
If the document being moved has any Disqus comments on it, there are extra steps
to follow documented just [below](#redirections-for-pages-with-disqus-comments).
Things to note:
- Since we also use inline documentation, except for the documentation itself,
the document might also be referenced in the views of GitLab (`app/`) which will
render when visiting `/help`, and sometimes in the testing suite (`spec/`).
- The above `git grep` command will search recursively in the directory you run
it in for `workflow/lfs/lfs_administration` and `lfs/lfs_administration`
and will print the file and the line where this file is mentioned.
You may ask why the two greps. Since we use relative paths to link to
documentation, sometimes it might be useful to search a path deeper.
- The `*.md` extension is not used when a document is linked to GitLab's
built-in help page, that's why we omit it in `git grep`.
- Use the checklist on the documentation MR description template.
### Redirections for pages with Disqus comments
If the documentation page being relocated already has any Disqus comments,
we need to preserve the Disqus thread.
Disqus uses an identifier per page, and for docs.gitlab.com, the page identifier
is configured to be the page URL. Therefore, when we change the document location,
we need to preserve the old URL as the same Disqus identifier.
To do that, add to the frontmatter the variable `redirect_from`,
using the old URL as value. For example, let's say I moved the document
available under `https://docs.gitlab.com/my-old-location/README.html` to a new location,
@@ -270,7 +483,7 @@ They are topic-related documentation, written with an user-friendly approach and
A technical article guides users and/or admins to achieve certain objectives (within guides and tutorials), or provide an overview of that particular topic or feature (within technical overviews). It can also describe the use, implementation, or integration of third-party tools with GitLab.
They should be placed in a new directory named `/article-title/index.md` under a topic-related folder, and their images should be placed in `/article-title/img/`. For example, a new article on GitLab Pages should be placed in `doc/user/project/pages/article-title/` and a new article on GitLab CI/CD should be placed in `doc/ci/article-title/`.
They should be placed in a new directory named `/article-title/index.md` under a topic-related folder, and their images should be placed in `/article-title/img/`. For example, a new article on GitLab Pages should be placed in `doc/user/project/pages/article-title/` and a new article on GitLab CI/CD should be placed in `doc/ci/examples/article-title/`.
#### Types of technical articles
...
...
@@ -324,3 +537,5 @@ date: 2017-02-01
Use the [writing method](https://about.gitlab.com/handbook/product/technical-writing/#writing-method) defined by the Technical Writing team.
