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Merged
merged 7 commits into from
Apr 23, 2025
110 changes: 65 additions & 45 deletions CONTRIBUTING_DOCS.md
Original file line number Diff line number Diff line change
Expand Up @@ -16,7 +16,6 @@ If you're an employee of F5/NGINX, also read [For F5/NGINX Employees](./F5-NGINX
You will need to install Hugo _or_ Docker to build and preview docs in your local development environment.
Refer to the [Hugo installation instructions](https://gohugo.io/getting-started/installing/) for more information.


Although not a strict requirement, markdown-link-check is also used in documentation development.

If you have [Docker](https://www.docker.com/get-started/) installed, there are fallbacks for all requirements in the [Makefile](Makefile), meaning you don't need to install them.
Expand All @@ -32,7 +31,7 @@ The configuration files are as follows:
- *markdownlint-cli*: `.markdownlint.json`
- *markdown-link-check* `md-linkcheck-config.json`

## Local Docs Development
## Develop documentation locally

To build the documentation locally, use the `make` command in the documentation folder. First make sure you have the latest version of our Hugo theme with:

Expand All @@ -54,18 +53,27 @@ make clean - Removes the local `public` directory, which is the default

## Add new documentation

We provide template files for different types of documentation. The templates, including instructions to use them and examples, are located in the [templates](templates) directory.
We use [Hugo archetypes](https://gohugo.io/content-management/archetypes/) to provide structure for new documentation pages.

These archetypes include inline advice on Markdown formatting and our most common style guide conventions.

To create a new page, run the following command:

`hugo new content <product/folder/filename.md>`

This new page will be created with the default how-to archetype. To use a specific archetype, add the `-k` parameter and its name, such as:

`hugo new content <product/folder/filename.md> -k <archetype>`

Our archetypes [currently include](/archetypes/) the following:

- `default` (How-to instructions, general use)
- `concept`(An explanation of one implementation detail and some use cases)
- `tutorial` (An in-depth set of how-to instructions, referencing concepts)

We have templates for the following types of documentation:
- Concept
- Getting started
- How-to guide
- Installation guide
- Reference
- Release notes
- Tutorial
These archetypes are adapted from some existing [templates](/templates/): please [file an issue](https://github.com/nginx/documentation/issues/new?template=1-feature_request.md) if you would like a new archetype.

## How to format docs
## How to format documentation

### Basic Markdown formatting

Expand All @@ -77,47 +85,32 @@ There are multiple ways to format text: for consistency and clarity, these are o
- Ordered lists: The 1 character followed by a stop - `1. Ordered list item`.

> **Note**: The ordered notation automatically enumerates lists when built by Hugo.
Close every section with a horizontal line by using three dashes: `---`.

We use backticks sparingly (\`\<some-text\>\`) for `monospace text`, typically for process names or commands. More information is available in the [Add code to documentation pages](#add-code-to-documentation-pages) guidance.

Sections can be separated with horizontal lines by using three dashes: `---`.

### How to format internal links

Internal links should use Hugo shortcodes [ref](https://gohugo.io/methods/shortcode/ref/#article) (for absolute paths) and [relref](https://gohugo.io/methods/shortcode/relref/#article) (for relative paths).
Please note that we favor absolute paths, as these are easier to maintain.
Internal links should use the [ref](https://gohugo.io/methods/shortcode/ref/#article) shortcode with absolute paths that start with a forward slash (For clarity).

- Although file extensions (such as `.md`) are optional for Hugo, we include them as best practice for page anchors.
- We prefer relative paths.
- Paths without a leading forward slash (`/`) are first resolved relative to the current page, then the remainder of the website.
Although file extensions (such as `.md`) are optional for Hugo, we include them as best practice for page anchors.

Here are two examples:

```md
To install <software>, refer to the [installation instructions]({{< ref "install.md" >}}).
To install <software>, refer to the [installation instructions]({{< ref "/product/deploy/install.md" >}}).
To install <integation>, refer to the [integration instructions]({{< ref "/integration/thing.md#section" >}}).
```

### How to add images

Use the `img` [shortcode](#using-hugo-shortcodes) to add images into your documentation.

1. Add the image to the `/static/img` directory.
1. Add the `img` shortcode:
`{{< img src="<img-file.png>" alt="<Alternative text>">}}`
- **Alt text is required, and must describe in detail the content of the image.**
- **Do not include a forward slash at the beginning of the file path.**
- This will break the image when it's rendered: read about the [Hugo relURL Function](https://gohugo.io/functions/relurl/#input-begins-with-a-slash) to learn more.

> **Note**: The `img` shortcode accepts all of the same parameters as the Hugo [figure shortcode](https://gohugo.io/content-management/shortcodes/#figure).

> **Important**: We have strict guidelines regarding the use of images in our documentation. Make sure that you keep the number of images to a minimum and that they are relevant to the content. Review the guidelines in our [style guide](/templates/style-guide.md#guidelines-for-screenshots).

### How to use Hugo shortcodes

[Hugo shortcodes](https://github.com/nginxinc/nginx-hugo-theme/tree/main/layouts/shortcodes) are used to format callouts, add images, and reuse content across different pages.

For example, to use the `note` callout:

```md
{{< note >}}Provide the text of the note here.{{< /note >}}
{{< note >}} Provide the text of the note here.{{< /note >}}
```

The callout shortcodes support multi-line blocks:
Expand All @@ -143,7 +136,7 @@ You can also create custom callouts using the `call-out` shortcode `{{< call-out
{{<call-out "important side-callout" "JWT file required for upgrade" "fa fa-exclamation-triangle">}}
```

By default, all custom callouts are included inline, unless you add `side-callout` which places the callout to the right of the content.
By default, all custom callouts are displayed inline, unless you add `side-callout` which places the callout to the right of the content.

Here are some other shortcodes:

Expand All @@ -158,24 +151,51 @@ Here are some other shortcodes:
- `readfile`: Include the content of another file in the current file, which can be in an arbitrary location.
- `bootstrap-table`: formats a table using Bootstrap classes; accepts any bootstrap table classes as additional arguments, e.g. `{{< bootstrap-table "table-bordered table-hover" }}`

### Add code to documentation pages

For command, binary and process names, you can use a pair of backticks (\`\<some-name\>\`): `<some-name>`.

Larger blocks of multi-line code text such as configuration files can be wrapped in triple backticks, with a language as a parameter for highlighted formatting.

You can also use the `ghcode` shortcode to embed a single file directly from GitHub:

`{{< ghcode "<https://raw.githubusercontent.com/some-repository-file-link>" >}}`

An example of this can be seen in [content/ngf/get-started.md](https://github.com/nginx/documentation/blob/af8a62b15f86a7b7be7944b7a79f44fd5e526c15/content/ngf/get-started.md?plain=1#L233C1-L233C128), which embeds a YAML file.

### Add images to documentation pages

Use the `img` shortcode to add images to documentation pages. It has the same parameters as the Hugo [figure shortcode](https://gohugo.io/content-management/shortcodes/#figure).

1. Add the image to the `/static/img` directory.
1. Add the `img` shortcode:
- `{{< img src="<img-file.png>" alt="<Alternative text>">}}`
- Do not include a forward slash at the beginning of the file path or it will [break the image](https://gohugo.io/functions/relurl/#input-begins-with-a-slash).

> **Important**: We have strict guidelines for using images. Review them in our [style guide](/templates/style-guide.md#guidelines-for-screenshots).


### How to use Hugo includes

As mentioned above, [Hugo includes](https://gohugo.io/contribute/documentation/#include) are a custom shortcode that allows you to reference reusable content stored in the [`/content/includes` directory](https://github.com/nginx/documentation/tree/main/content/includes).
Hugo includes are a custom shortcode that allows you to embed content stored in the [`/content/includes` directory](https://github.com/nginx/documentation/tree/main/content/includes).

It allows for content to be defined once and display in multiple places without duplication, creating consistency and simplifying the maintenance of items such as reference tables.

For example, the [`licensing-and-reporting/apply-jwt.md`](https://github.com/nginx/documentation/blob/main/content/includes/licensing-and-reporting/apply-jwt.md) file contains instructions for where to add a JWT license file to an NGINX instance.

For example, if the [`controller/add-existing-instance.md`](https://github.com/nginx/documentation/blob/main/content/includes/controller/add-existing-instance.md) file contains instructions on adding an instance to the NGINX Controller, you can reuse it on multiple pages by adding:
To add it to a documentation page, use the path as a parameter for the `include` shortcode:

```md
{{< include "controller/add-existing-instance.md" >}}
{{< include "licensing-and-reporting/apply-jwt.md" >}}
```

The `controller/add-existing-instance.md` file is included in the following pages on the NGINX Docs Site:
This particular include file is used in the following pages:

- [Add an NGINX App Protect Instance](https://github.com/nginx/documentation/blob/main/content/controller/infrastructure/instances/add-nap-instance.md?plain=1#L35)
- [Manage Your NGINX Instances](https://github.com/nginx/documentation/blob/main/content/controller/infrastructure/instances/manage-instances.md?plain=1#L29)
- [Trial NGINX Controller with NGINX Plus](https://github.com/nginx/documentation/blob/main/content/controller/admin-guides/install/try-nginx-controller.md?plain=1#L277)
- [Trial NGINX Controller with App Security](https://github.com/nginx/documentation/blob/main/content/controller/admin-guides/install/try-nginx-controller-app-sec.md?plain=1#L290)
- [About subscription licenses](https://github.com/nginx/documentation/blob/77939c1f9f41ae1984ddfc43c65c3b743836057a/content/solutions/about-subscription-licenses.md?plain=1#L54)
- [R33 pre-release guidance for automatic upgrades](https://github.com/nginx/documentation/blob/77939c1f9f41ae1984ddfc43c65c3b743836057a/content/solutions/r33-pre-release-guidance-for-automatic-upgrades.md?plain=1#L62)
- [Installing NGINX App Protect WAF](https://github.com/nginx/documentation/blob/77939c1f9f41ae1984ddfc43c65c3b743836057a/content/nap-waf/v5/admin-guide/install.md?plain=1#L132)

This ensures that content is defined once and referenced in multiple places without duplication.
View the [Guidelines for includes](/templates/style-guide.md#guidelines-for-includes) for instructions on how to write effective include files.

## Linting

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