Single Source Documentation

Single Source Documentation is a content management approach where documentation is created and stored in a single, authoritative source, then automatically generated into multiple formats (e.g., PDF, HTML, help files) for different audiences or platforms. It ensures consistency, reduces duplication, and streamlines updates by maintaining one master version of the content. This methodology is commonly implemented using tools like Sphinx, Docusaurus, or AsciiDoc.

Also known as: SSD, Single Sourcing, Single-Source Docs, Documentation as Code, Doc-as-Code

Why learn Single Source Documentation?

Developers should adopt Single Source Documentation when managing complex, multi-format documentation for software projects, APIs, or technical products to avoid inconsistencies and save time on manual updates. It is particularly useful in agile development environments where documentation needs to keep pace with frequent code changes, and for teams requiring documentation in various outputs like online help, printed manuals, or embedded tooltips.

Learning Resources

• docs: Single Sourcing Documentation - Write the Docs Guide
• tutorial: AsciiDoc for Single Source Documentation - Tutorial
• docs: Sphinx Documentation Generator - Official Documentation
• tutorial: Docusaurus Tutorial - Build Documentation Sites
• video: Single Sourcing with Markdown - Video Course