Streamlining Technical Documentation: Pandoc, VS Code, and MkDocs

Technical documentation is the backbone of any successful project. Whether you’re documenting software, APIs, or complex systems, having clear and concise documentation is essential. But how do you efficiently create and maintain these documents, especially when they involve diagrams and complex formatting? Let’s explore some powerful tools and workflows that can help.

The Challenge: Markdown with Diagrams

Many technical writers prefer Markdown for its simplicity and ease of use. However, embedding diagrams like those generated by PlantUML or Mermaid.js can be tricky. We also need to convert these Markdown documents to formats like PDF or DOCX for distribution.

Powerful Tools for the Task

Here’s a breakdown of tools that can help you overcome these challenges:

1. Pandoc: The Universal Document Converter

Pandoc is a command-line powerhouse. It excels at converting documents between various formats, including Markdown, PDF, and DOCX.

• Strengths:
  • Versatile format conversion.
  • Extensible with filters for PlantUML and Mermaid.js.
  • Automation-friendly.
• How to use it with diagrams:
  • Install Pandoc, PlantUML, and required filters (e.g., pandoc-plantuml, pandoc-mermaid).
  • Embed PlantUML or Mermaid.js code blocks in your Markdown.
  • Use command-line commands like:
    • pandoc yourfile.md -F pandoc-plantuml -o output.pdf
    • pandoc yourfile.md -F pandoc-mermaid -o output.docx
• Considerations:
  • Requires command-line familiarity.
  • May require additional dependencies.

2. Visual Studio Code (VS Code): The Developer’s Editor

VS Code, with its rich ecosystem of extensions, provides a user-friendly environment for creating and previewing Markdown documents with diagrams.

• Strengths:
  • Live previews of PlantUML and Mermaid.js diagrams.
  • Extensions for PDF export.
  • User Friendly.
• Workflow:
  • Write Markdown with embedded diagrams.
  • Use extensions like “PlantUML,” “Markdown Preview Enhanced,” “Mermaid Markdown Preview,” and “Markdown PDF” for previews and exports.
• Considerations:
  • PDF export quality may vary depending on extensions.
  • For .docx conversion, pandoc is still a great option.

3. MkDocs: Documentation Made Easy

MkDocs is a static site generator specifically designed for creating project documentation. It simplifies the process of turning Markdown files into a professional-looking website.

• Strengths:
  • Simple and easy to use.
  • Markdown-based.
  • Customizable with themes and plugins.
  • Excellent for online documentation.
• Use Cases:
  • Software project documentation.
  • Technical documentation.
  • Internal documentation.
• Diagram Support:
  • Plugins like mkdocs-material combined with mermaid2 or plantuml plugin, make diagram integration easy.
• Why it’s great for technical docs:
  • Code block rendering.
  • Logical structure and navigation.
  • Version control integration.

Choosing the Right Workflow

• For maximum flexibility and control, Pandoc is an excellent choice.
• For a visual and user-friendly experience, VS Code with extensions is ideal.
• For online documentation, or a well structured multi page document, Mkdocs is a very strong option.

Ultimately, the best workflow depends on your specific needs and preferences. Experiment with these tools to find the combination that works best for you.

By leveraging these powerful tools, you can streamline your technical documentation workflow and create high-quality, professional documents with ease.