methodology

Minimal Documentation

Minimal Documentation is a software development approach that emphasizes creating only the essential documentation needed for a project, avoiding excessive or redundant information. It focuses on keeping documentation concise, up-to-date, and directly useful for developers, users, or maintainers, often prioritizing code comments, README files, and API references over lengthy manuals. This methodology aims to reduce maintenance overhead and ensure that documentation remains relevant and actionable.

Also known as: Minimal Docs, Lean Documentation, Essential Documentation, Just-Enough Documentation, Minimalist Documentation

🧊Why learn Minimal Documentation?

Developers should adopt Minimal Documentation in agile or fast-paced environments where documentation tends to become outdated quickly, such as in startups, open-source projects, or iterative development cycles. It is particularly useful for reducing time spent on non-coding tasks and ensuring that documentation aligns with actual code functionality, making it easier for teams to onboard new members or maintain codebases without sifting through irrelevant details.