api-documentation-generator

API Documentation Generator

Overview

Automatically generate clear, comprehensive API documentation from your codebase. This skill helps you create professional documentation that includes endpoint descriptions, request/response examples, authentication details, error handling, and usage guidelines.

Perfect for REST APIs, GraphQL APIs, and WebSocket APIs.

When to Use This Skill

Use when you need to document a new API

Use when updating existing API documentation

Use when your API lacks clear documentation

Use when onboarding new developers to your API

Use when preparing API documentation for external users

Use when creating OpenAPI/Swagger specifications

How It Works

Step 1: Analyze the API Structure

First, I'll examine your API codebase to understand:

Available endpoints and routes

HTTP methods (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE, etc.)

Request parameters and body structure

Response formats and status codes

Authentication and authorization requirements

Error handling patterns

Step 2: Generate Endpoint Documentation

For each endpoint, I'll create documentation including:

Endpoint Details:

HTTP method and URL path

Brief description of what it does

Authentication requirements

Rate limiting information (if applicable)

Request Specification:

Path parameters

Query parameters

Request headers

Request body schema (with types and validation rules)

Response Specification:

Success response (status code + body structure)

Error responses (all possible error codes)

Response headers

Code Examples:

cURL command

JavaScript/TypeScript (fetch/axios)

Python (requests)

Other languages as needed

Step 3: Add Usage Guidelines

I'll include:

Getting started guide

Authentication setup

Common use cases

Best practices

Rate limiting details

Pagination patterns

Filtering and sorting options

Step 4: Document Error Handling

Clear error documentation including:

All possible error codes

Error message formats

Troubleshooting guide

Common error scenarios and solutions

Step 5: Create Interactive Examples

Where possible, I'll provide:

Postman collection

OpenAPI/Swagger specification

Interactive code examples

Sample responses

Examples

Example 1: REST API Endpoint Documentation

## Create User
Creates a new user account.
Endpoint: POST /api/v1/users
Authentication: Required (Bearer token)
Request Body:
\\\json
{
  "email": "user@example.com",      // Required: Valid email address
  "password": "SecurePass123!",     // Required: Min 8 chars, 1 uppercase, 1 number
  "name": "John Doe",               // Required: 2-50 characters
  "role": "user"                    // Optional: "user" or "admin" (default: "user")
}
\\\
Success Response (201 Created):
\\\json
{
  "id": "usr_1234567890",
  "email": "user@example.com",
  "name": "John Doe",
  "role": "user",
  "createdAt": "2026-01-20T10:30:00Z",
  "emailVerified": false
}
\\\
Error Responses:
400 Bad Request - Invalid input data

  \\\json
  {
    "error": "VALIDATION_ERROR",
    "message": "Invalid email format",
    "field": "email"
  }
  \\\
409 Conflict - Email already exists

  \\\json
  {
    "error": "EMAIL_EXISTS",
    "message": "An account with this email already exists"
  }
  \\\
401 Unauthorized - Missing or invalid authentication token
Example Request (cURL):
\\\bash
curl -X POST https://api.example.com/api/v1/users \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "email": "user@example.com",
    "password": "SecurePass123!",
    "name": "John Doe"
  }'
\\\
Example Request (JavaScript):
\\\javascript
const response = await fetch('https://api.example.com/api/v1/users', {
  method: 'POST',
  headers: {
    'Authorization': Bearer ${token},
    'Content-Type': 'application/json'
  },
  body: JSON.stringify({
    email: 'user@example.com',
    password: 'SecurePass123!',
    name: 'John Doe'
  })
});
const user = await response.json();
console.log(user);
\\\
Example Request (Python):
\\\python
import requests
response = requests.post(
    'https://api.example.com/api/v1/users',
    headers={
        'Authorization': f'Bearer {token}',
        'Content-Type': 'application/json'
    },
    json={
        'email': 'user@example.com',
        'password': 'SecurePass123!',
        'name': 'John Doe'
    }
)
user = response.json()
print(user)
\\\

Example 2: GraphQL API Documentation

## User Query
Fetch user information by ID.
Query:
\\\graphql
query GetUser($id: ID!) {
  user(id: $id) {
    id
    email
    name
    role
    createdAt
    posts {
      id
      title
      publishedAt
    }
  }
}
\\\
Variables:
\\\json
{
  "id": "usr_1234567890"
}
\\\
Response:
\\\json
{
  "data": {
    "user": {
      "id": "usr_1234567890",
      "email": "user@example.com",
      "name": "John Doe",
      "role": "user",
      "createdAt": "2026-01-20T10:30:00Z",
      "posts": [
        {
          "id": "post_123",
          "title": "My First Post",
          "publishedAt": "2026-01-21T14:00:00Z"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}
\\\
Errors:
\\\json
{
  "errors": [
    {
      "message": "User not found",
      "extensions": {
        "code": "USER_NOT_FOUND",
        "userId": "usr_1234567890"
      }
    }
  ]
}
\\\

Example 3: Authentication Documentation

## Authentication
All API requests require authentication using Bearer tokens.
Getting a Token
Endpoint: POST /api/v1/auth/login
Request:
\\\json
{
  "email": "user@example.com",
  "password": "your-password"
}
\\\
Response:
\\\json
{
  "token": "eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9...",
  "expiresIn": 3600,
  "refreshToken": "refresh_token_here"
}
\\\
Using the Token
Include the token in the Authorization header:
\\\
Authorization: Bearer YOUR_TOKEN
\\\
Token Expiration
Tokens expire after 1 hour. Use the refresh token to get a new access token:
Endpoint: POST /api/v1/auth/refresh
Request:
\\\json
{
  "refreshToken": "refresh_token_here"
}
\\\

Best Practices

✅ Do This

Be Consistent - Use the same format for all endpoints

Include Examples - Provide working code examples in multiple languages

Document Errors - List all possible error codes and their meanings

Show Real Data - Use realistic example data, not "foo" and "bar"

Explain Parameters - Describe what each parameter does and its constraints

Version Your API - Include version numbers in URLs (/api/v1/)

Add Timestamps - Show when documentation was last updated

Link Related Endpoints - Help users discover related functionality

Include Rate Limits - Document any rate limiting policies

Provide Postman Collection - Make it easy to test your API

❌ Don't Do This

Don't Skip Error Cases - Users need to know what can go wrong

Don't Use Vague Descriptions - "Gets data" is not helpful

Don't Forget Authentication - Always document auth requirements

Don't Ignore Edge Cases - Document pagination, filtering, sorting

Don't Leave Examples Broken - Test all code examples

Don't Use Outdated Info - Keep documentation in sync with code

Don't Overcomplicate - Keep it simple and scannable

Don't Forget Response Headers - Document important headers

Documentation Structure

Recommended Sections

Introduction

- What the API does
- Base URL
- API version
- Support contact

Authentication

- How to authenticate
- Token management
- Security best practices

Quick Start

- Simple example to get started
- Common use case walkthrough

Endpoints

- Organized by resource
- Full details for each endpoint

Data Models

- Schema definitions
- Field descriptions
- Validation rules

Error Handling

- Error code reference
- Error response format
- Troubleshooting guide

Rate Limiting

- Limits and quotas
- Headers to check
- Handling rate limit errors

Changelog

- API version history
- Breaking changes
- Deprecation notices

SDKs and Tools

- Official client libraries
- Postman collection
- OpenAPI specification

Common Pitfalls

Problem: Documentation Gets Out of Sync

Symptoms: Examples don't work, parameters are wrong, endpoints return different data
Solution:

Generate docs from code comments/annotations

Use tools like Swagger/OpenAPI

Add API tests that validate documentation

Review docs with every API change

Problem: Missing Error Documentation

Symptoms: Users don't know how to handle errors, support tickets increase
Solution:

Document every possible error code

Provide clear error messages

Include troubleshooting steps

Show example error responses

Problem: Examples Don't Work

Symptoms: Users can't get started, frustration increases
Solution:

Test every code example

Use real, working endpoints

Include complete examples (not fragments)

Provide a sandbox environment

Problem: Unclear Parameter Requirements

Symptoms: Users send invalid requests, validation errors
Solution:

Mark required vs optional clearly

Document data types and formats

Show validation rules

Provide example values

Tools and Formats

OpenAPI/Swagger

Generate interactive documentation:

openapi: 3.0.0
info:
  title: My API
  version: 1.0.0
paths:
  /users:
    post:
      summary: Create a new user
      requestBody:
        required: true
        content:
          application/json:
            schema:
              $ref: '#/components/schemas/CreateUserRequest'

Postman Collection

Export collection for easy testing:

{
  "info": {
    "name": "My API",
    "schema": "https://schema.getpostman.com/json/collection/v2.1.0/collection.json"
  },
  "item": [
    {
      "name": "Create User",
      "request": {
        "method": "POST",
        "url": "{{baseUrl}}/api/v1/users"
      }
    }
  ]
}

Related Skills

@doc-coauthoring - For collaborative documentation writing

@copywriting - For clear, user-friendly descriptions

@test-driven-development - For ensuring API behavior matches docs

@systematic-debugging - For troubleshooting API issues

Additional Resources

OpenAPI Specification

REST API Best Practices

GraphQL Documentation

API Design Patterns

Postman Documentation

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Pro Tip: Keep your API documentation as close to your code as possible. Use tools that generate docs from code comments to ensure they stay in sync!