Updating API Documentation

Guide for syncing API docs with source code changes.

Prerequisite: Read the repo-website-api-create skill for properties.ts and index.mdx patterns.

When to Update

Update documentation when source code changes:

• Function signatures (parameters, generics, return types)
• Interface properties
• JSDoc descriptions or hints
• Behavior changes affecting examples

Do NOT update for: Internal implementation changes (~run method), test changes, non-JSDoc comments.

Process

1. Read full source file - Don't just look at diff; understand complete current state
2. Identify changes - Categorize as addition, removal, or modification
3. Update properties.ts - Match types exactly to source; for optional object keys, keep the plain key name and use a union with undefined as the last option instead of appending ?
4. Update index.mdx - Signature, generics, parameters, examples
5. Update related files - Type docs, menu.md if renamed

Common Change Types

New Parameter Added

// Before: one overload
export function action<TInput>(requirement: TRequirement): Action<...>;

// After: two overloads (message is optional)
export function action<TInput>(requirement: TRequirement): Action<..., undefined>;
export function action<TInput, TMessage>(requirement: TRequirement, message: TMessage): Action<..., TMessage>;

Update:

1. Add TMessage generic to properties.ts
2. Add message parameter to properties.ts
3. Update signature in index.mdx
4. Add generic and parameter documentation
5. Update examples to show new parameter

Parameter Removed (Breaking)

1. Remove from properties.ts
2. Update signature in index.mdx
3. Remove from Parameters section
4. Update all examples
5. Consider adding migration note in Explanation

Type Constraint Changed

// Before
TRequirement extends number

// After
TRequirement extends number | string

Update:

1. Update type in properties.ts
2. Update Explanation to mention both types
3. Add examples for new type usage

Interface Property Added

1. Update type documentation in (types)/TypeName/
2. Add new property to properties.ts; if the source key is optional, do not append ? to the key name and model it as a union with undefined last
3. Document in Definition section

Function Renamed

1. Rename folder
2. Update all references in files
3. Update menu.md (maintain alphabetical order)
4. Update cross-references in related API docs
5. Consider redirect if widely used

Deprecation

Add notice at top of index.mdx (import Link from ~/components):

> **⚠️ Deprecated**: Use <Link href="../newFunction/">\`newFunction\`</Link> instead. Will be removed in v2.0.

New Helper Type Introduced

When source introduces a type alias:

// Before: TInput extends string | unknown[]
// After: TInput extends LengthInput

1. Update properties.ts to reference new type with href
2. Create documentation for the new type in (types)/
3. Update explanation if supported types changed

Multiple Overloads Added (Sync/Async)

When sync and async variants are added:

1. Update signature to show general pattern or both overloads
2. Add explanation about sync vs async usage
3. Add examples for both use cases
4. Update Related section for async schemas if relevant

Related Files to Update

When a function changes, check:

• Type docs - If interfaces changed ((types)/TypeName/)
• Related API docs - Other APIs that reference this function in their Related section
• Guide files - If usage patterns changed significantly
• menu.md - If function renamed or moved

Verification

After updating, verify:

• All types match source exactly
• Function signature matches source
• All examples work with new API
• All href links are valid
• Related type docs updated if interfaces changed
• menu.md updated if renamed
• Related API docs updated (their Related sections)

Best Practices

• Read full source file - Don't just look at diff
• Update incrementally - properties.ts → index.mdx → related files
• Don't over-document internals - Only user-facing changes need docs
• Preserve example quality - Keep realistic, demonstrate best practices
• Check related APIs - They may reference the changed function

When to Ask for Help

• Major breaking changes (complete signature overhaul)
• Complex generic constraint changes
• Unclear intent from source changes
• Many related files affected
• Need to document migration path

Quick Reference

Change	Files to Update
New parameter	properties.ts, index.mdx (signature, generics, params, examples)
Removed parameter	properties.ts, index.mdx
Type change	properties.ts, index.mdx (explanation, examples)
Interface change	(types)/TypeName/properties.ts, (types)/TypeName/index.mdx
Renamed function	Folder name, all files, menu.md, cross-references
Deprecation	index.mdx (add warning)