Building a documentation and collaboration platform like Redocly involves a complex process that requires a multitude of tools, DevOps expertise, and a dedicated team. The endeavor is divided into four main components: API registry, hosting, reference documentation, and developer portals. The API registry is crucial for tracking API changes and automating documentation updates, while hosting requires managing environment variables, databases, and access controls, with options for static or dynamic content delivery. Reference documentation benefits from pagination, SEO-friendly routing, and interactive elements, while developer portals necessitate a static site generator and integration of identity and access controls. The entire process demands significant resources and time, as Redocly itself took five years to develop with a team of 20, emphasizing the complexity and ongoing maintenance required to achieve a similar level of functionality and reliability.