Skip to content
Back to AI Coding

API Doc Generation

Generate API docs from the OpenAPI spec or route handlers + zod schemas.

Docs & RefactorIntermediate

Why

GitHub's 2024 survey found 81% of developers expect AI tools to become more integrated in documenting code over the next year, the highest of any workflow. API docs that mirror the actual schema (request/response shapes, status codes) prevent 'the docs say 200 but the code returns 201' bugs.

Generating from the source of truth keeps them aligned.

When

Use for any public API. Skip for internal-only endpoints.

How

1. Source: OpenAPI spec, or route handlers + zod schemas. 2. Prompt: "per endpoint: method, path, auth, body schema, response schema per status, example". 3. Generate as markdown or OpenAPI HTML. 4. Add a CI regen check; fail on drift. 5. Include a try-it example per endpoint.

Example

POST /api/books Auth: bearer Body: { title: string, author: string } (zod) Responses: 201: { id: string, title: string, author: string } 400: { error: string } Example: curl -X POST .../api/books -H "Authorization: Bearer ..." -d '{"title":"Dune"}'

Common Problems

  • ⚠Error: Cannot find module 'xxx' after refactor → re-run `npm install` and `npx tsc --noEmit`; refactors often drop or rename imports.
  • ⚠Missing error responses: list all status codes the handler can return.
  • ⚠Error: Docs drift: example no longer runs → execute examples in CI (`npm run docs:check`); tested examples never drift.

Best Practices

  • ✓Generate from the schema (zod/OpenAPI), not from prose.
  • ✓Include a real curl example per endpoint.
  • ✓Measure the outcome with a concrete metric (time saved, defect rate, test coverage) so the practice can be justified and improved.

FAQ

What is API Doc Generation?

Generate API docs from the OpenAPI spec or route handlers + zod schemas. It helps developers quickly grasp the core value and use cases of API Doc Generation.

How do I get started with API Doc Generation?

To get started with API Doc Generation, focus on these points first: Source: OpenAPI spec, or route handlers + zod schemas.

What are common mistakes with API Doc Generation?

Common mistakes when using API Doc Generation include: Error: Cannot find module 'xxx' after refactor → re-run `npm install` and `npx tsc --noEmit`; refactors often drop or rename imports.; Missing error responses: list all status codes the handler can return.; Error: Docs drift: example no longer runs → execute examples in CI (`npm run docs:check`); tested examples never drift..

What are the best practices for API Doc Generation?

Best practices for API Doc Generation include: Generate from the schema (zod/OpenAPI), not from prose.; Include a real curl example per endpoint.; Measure the outcome with a concrete metric (time saved, defect rate, test coverage) so the practice can be justified and improved..

How do I learn more about API Doc Generation?

Start with the official docs, then search real-world examples on GitHub. Validate patterns in a small scratch repo before applying them to production code.