Benefits of a Dedicated Documentation Repository

Oct 13, 2025 by talynt.org 108 views

Introduction

As our project continues to grow and evolve, it has become increasingly challenging for individuals working on documentation to keep up with the pace of development in the master repository. This has led to a significant slowdown in documentation efforts, ultimately affecting the overall quality and accuracy of our project's documentation. In this proposal, we aim to address this issue by moving the documentation into a dedicated repository, thereby streamlining the process and improving collaboration among team members.

Problem Statement

The current setup, where documentation is stored within the master repository, has several drawbacks. Firstly, it creates a bottleneck for documentation contributors, who must navigate through the complexities of the master repository to make changes. This not only slows down the documentation process but also increases the likelihood of errors and inconsistencies. Secondly, the tight coupling between documentation and code makes it difficult to manage changes and updates, leading to a cluttered and hard-to-maintain repository.

Solution: Dedicated Documentation Repository

To address these challenges, we propose creating a dedicated repository for documentation. This new repository will serve as a centralized hub for all documentation-related activities, allowing team members to focus on creating high-quality documentation without being hindered by the complexities of the master repository. The proposed architecture is as follows:

Architecture

The build will continue to happen from the master Magma repository.
When code needs to be synced between the docs and Magma repositories, code will be copied over from the docs repository.
Lucas Amaral will have admin access to the docs repository.

Benefits of a Dedicated Documentation Repository

A dedicated documentation repository offers several benefits, including:

Improved collaboration: By separating documentation from code, team members can work on documentation without being affected by changes in the master repository.
Increased efficiency: With a dedicated repository, documentation contributors can focus on creating high-quality content without being hindered by the complexities of the master repository.
Better organization: A dedicated repository allows for better organization and management of documentation, making it easier to find and update content.
Flexibility: A dedicated repository provides the flexibility to experiment with different documentation tools and workflows without affecting the master repository.

Implementation Plan

To implement this proposal, the following tasks need to be completed:

Tasks

Create a new repository for documentation (@lucasgonze or @jordanvrtanoski). Give Lucas Amaral admin access.
Document the new structure within the old docs subdirectory in Magma/Magma.

Future Directions

While the proposed solution aims to address the current challenges, it is essential to consider future directions. We may choose to return to the original monorepo and delete the spin-off docs repository, or switch to a subrepo, or abandon the monorepo as a whole. This decision will be made in the future, and the dedicated documentation repository will provide a flexible and scalable solution for our project's documentation needs.

Motion and Vote

The motion to move documentation into a dedicated repository was proposed by Jordan, seconded by Micky, and supported by Lucas. Som abstained from voting. The motion was carried, and the proposal will be implemented as outlined above.

Conclusion

Q: What are the benefits of moving documentation into a dedicated repository?

A: A dedicated documentation repository offers several benefits, including improved collaboration, increased efficiency, better organization, and flexibility. By separating documentation from code, team members can work on documentation without being affected by changes in the master repository.

Q: How will the build process be affected by the move to a dedicated documentation repository?

A: The build process will continue to happen from the master Magma repository. When code needs to be synced between the docs and Magma repositories, code will be copied over from the docs repository.

Q: Who will have admin access to the dedicated documentation repository?

A: Lucas Amaral will have admin access to the dedicated documentation repository.

Q: What is the plan for future directions? Will we return to the original monorepo?

A: While the proposed solution aims to address the current challenges, it is essential to consider future directions. We may choose to return to the original monorepo and delete the spin-off docs repository, or switch to a subrepo, or abandon the monorepo as a whole. This decision will be made in the future, and the dedicated documentation repository will provide a flexible and scalable solution for our project's documentation needs.

Q: How will the dedicated documentation repository be maintained and updated?

A: The dedicated documentation repository will be maintained and updated by the team members responsible for documentation. This will include regular updates, bug fixes, and new feature additions.

Q: What tools and workflows will be used in the dedicated documentation repository?

A: The tools and workflows used in the dedicated documentation repository will be determined by the team members responsible for documentation. This may include the use of specific documentation tools, such as Markdown or Sphinx, and workflows, such as GitFlow or GitHub Pages.

Q: How will the dedicated documentation repository be integrated with the master Magma repository?

A: The dedicated documentation repository will be integrated with the master Magma repository through the use of code copying and syncing. This will ensure that changes made to the code in the master repository are reflected in the documentation repository.

Q: What are the potential risks and challenges associated with moving documentation into a dedicated repository?

A: The potential risks and challenges associated with moving documentation into a dedicated repository include:

Increased complexity in managing multiple repositories
Potential for inconsistencies between the documentation and code
Need for additional resources and personnel to maintain the dedicated repository

Q: How will the team ensure that the dedicated documentation repository is up-to-date and accurate?

A: The team will ensure that the dedicated documentation repository is up-to-date and accurate by:

Regularly reviewing and updating the documentation
Conducting regular code reviews to ensure consistency between the code and documentation
Using tools and workflows to automate the documentation process

Q: What is the timeline for implementing the dedicated documentation repository?

A: The timeline for implementing the dedicated documentation repository will be determined by the team members responsible for documentation. This will include a phased rollout, with regular check-ins and updates to ensure that the implementation is successful.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the dedicated documentation repository is a crucial step towards improving collaboration, efficiency, and organization within our project. By separating documentation from code, we can create a more flexible and scalable solution for our project's documentation needs. We look forward to implementing this proposal and continuing to grow and evolve as a team.