Developer Docs That Don’t Suck: A Guide to Clear Technical Writing

We’ve all been there.

You open a GitHub repo, ready to dive in. But instead of a clear setup guide or helpful context, you’re hit with a README that feels like it was written by a robot—or worse, a lawyer. Walls of jargon. Dead links. Or a note that says “For full setup instructions, see our Confluence.”

Momentum? Killed.

And here’s the kicker: the code might be great, but bad documentation can make a great project invisible. That’s a lesson I learned the hard way.

The Docs That Broke Me

A while back, I was contributing to an open-source project. The code wasn’t the issue—it was the docs. I had no clue where to start. The README assumed I already knew half the stack and linked out to another doc that was just as confusing.

I rage-quit.

But it made something painfully clear: If the docs suck, users bounce—no matter how good your tool is.

The Shift: Write Like a Developer, for Developers

From that moment on, I stopped treating documentation as an afterthought. I started writing docs like I was talking to a dev version of myself:

• Tired
• Distracted
• Juggling three tabs and a debugger

I wanted to make sure that even future-me (after two weeks away from the code) wouldn’t get lost.

So here’s how I write developer docs now—and how you should too.

Start with the “Why”, Not the “What”

Before you show how to install your tool, tell me why it matters.

MS Bridge is a cross-platform app for seamless note reading and taking.

That’s better than:

This app uses Flutter 3.22.2, Firebase, Hive, and...

Give context first. Then show me the value. Then tell me how to use it.

Think Like a Tired Dev on a Deadline

Most readers are not fresh-faced engineers sipping coffee with hours to spare. They’re deep in a bug or trying to integrate your tool into a bigger system.

So be kind:

• Be direct
• Skip the fluff
• Make every sentence help someone get something done

Organize Like a Developer’s Brain

Docs are not novels. People don’t read them linearly. They jump around. They scan.

Use structure:

• Clear headings
• Feature tables
• Bullet lists
• Code blocks that actually run
• A predictable layout

The more your docs feel like a well-labeled toolbox, the better.

Show Working Code, Not Just Paragraphs

# ✅ Yes:
flutter pub get

# ❌ No:
Install the dependencies

Your users will copy-paste before they read. If your snippet doesn’t work out of the box, you’re already causing frustration.

Use real, tested code. Include actual output. Annotate only if needed. Skip pseudo-code that leads nowhere.

Use Screenshots or GIFs

One screenshot can save someone five minutes of reading. A short GIF showing how the UI responds? Even better.

If you’re building something visual, show it.

Call Out the Gotchas — Early

Every tool has quirks. Be honest about them.

Don’t bury gotchas in an “Advanced” section nobody reads. Instead:

💥 If you get XYZ error, it’s because of ABC. Restart your dev server. ✅ Fix: Add this line to your .env file.

This builds trust and saves your users hours.

Keep Docs Alive

Docs rot. Fast. Every time I push a major change, I do a 5-minute README sanity check.

I treat documentation like code. If it’s outdated, it’s broken.

My Personal Docs Template (Steal This)

Here’s the checklist I now follow for every project:

• ✅ One-liner summary (human-first)
• ✅ What/Why section
• ✅ Features table
• ✅ Screenshot or GIF
• ✅ Tech used (just the key stuff)
• ✅ Step-by-step setup
• ✅ API key setup (clearly marked)
• ✅ Run instructions
• ✅ Troubleshooting
• ✅ How to contribute
• ✅ Where to contact me

It’s simple, but that’s the point.

Final Thought: Docs Are Your First Impression

Good docs save you time, build community, and earn trust.

The best documentation I’ve ever read felt like a senior dev was sitting next to me, calmly saying:

“Here’s what this does. Here’s why it matters. Here’s how you get started. I’ve been in your shoes.”

If you’re building something worth using, it’s worth documenting well. And if you’re writing docs, write like someone’s job depends on it.

Because sometimes… it does.

Until then, peace out, nerds. 👓