Should I document my API in Markdown or OpenAPI?

OpenAPI (Swagger) is machine-readable and generates interactive docs and client SDKs. Markdown is simpler for small APIs and developer guides. Many teams use both: OpenAPI for the spec and Markdown for conceptual guides.

How do I keep API docs in sync with the code?

Co-locate documentation next to the code it describes, add a review checklist item for docs on every PR, and consider generating docs from code annotations using tools like JSDoc or TypeDoc.

How do I render Markdown tables on GitHub?

GitHub automatically renders pipe-delimited Markdown tables in README and documentation files. Ensure the header separator row (|---|) is present — without it, GitHub treats the table as plain text.

Document a REST API in Markdown

Markdown is a practical format for lightweight API documentation that lives alongside your code in the repository. This template documents an endpoint with method, path, authentication requirements, request parameters, a curl example, and a sample response. The previewer renders tables and code blocks so you can review the final output before publishing. For larger APIs, consider splitting into per-endpoint files and using a documentation site generator.

Example

## GET /users/:id

Returns a single user by ID.

**Authentication:** Bearer token required

### Path Parameters

| Parameter | Type   | Required | Description  |
|-----------|--------|----------|--------------|
| id        | string | Yes      | User UUID    |

### Request Example

```bash
curl -H "Authorization: Bearer TOKEN" \
  https://api.example.com/users/usr_123
```

### Response 200

```json
{
  "id": "usr_123",
  "name": "Jane Smith",
  "email": "[email protected]",
  "createdAt": "2026-01-15T10:30:00Z"
}
```

### Errors

| Code | Meaning       |
|------|---------------|
| 401  | Unauthorized  |
| 404  | User not found|

[ open in Markdown Previewer → ]

FAQ

Should I document my API in Markdown or OpenAPI?: OpenAPI (Swagger) is machine-readable and generates interactive docs and client SDKs. Markdown is simpler for small APIs and developer guides. Many teams use both: OpenAPI for the spec and Markdown for conceptual guides.
How do I keep API docs in sync with the code?: Co-locate documentation next to the code it describes, add a review checklist item for docs on every PR, and consider generating docs from code annotations using tools like JSDoc or TypeDoc.
How do I render Markdown tables on GitHub?: GitHub automatically renders pipe-delimited Markdown tables in README and documentation files. Ensure the header separator row (|---|) is present — without it, GitHub treats the table as plain text.

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