How to write technical documentation that developers actually use

Writing effective technical documentation that developers actually use involves understanding the importance of clear and current documentation, which greatly influences developer experience and product adoption. The guide emphasizes the Diataxis framework for structuring content into tutorials, how-to guides, reference, and explanation sections, which aligns with how developers typically access information. It advocates for a "docs-as-code" workflow, treating documentation like source code to ensure it remains accurate and synchronized with product changes. Key writing practices include knowing your audience, starting with essential user paths, using descriptive headings, leading with answers, and incorporating accurate, runnable code examples. The guide also highlights the importance of maintaining documentation to prevent it from becoming outdated and losing trust. Tools that facilitate this process, such as Mintlify, offer features like Git synchronization, AI-powered search, and automatic update detection, which help in creating and maintaining high-quality documentation efficiently.