Read the Docs Documentation

Oct 13, 2025 by talynt.org 125 views

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Read the Docs is a popular platform for hosting and managing documentation for open-source projects. It provides a simple and intuitive way to create, manage, and host documentation for your project. In this article, we will guide you through the process of setting up Read the Docs for your project, hosting your documentation from a GitHub repository, and converting your pre-existing documentation into Read the Docs files.

Setting Up Read the Docs Files

To start using Read the Docs, you need to create a project on their platform. Here's how you can do it:

Step 1: Create a Read the Docs Project

Go to the Read the Docs website and click on the "Create a Project" button.
Enter your project's name, description, and select the repository type (in this case, GitHub).
Click on the "Create Project" button to create your project.

Step 2: Configure Your Read the Docs Project

Once your project is created, you will be taken to the project's dashboard.
Click on the "Settings" tab and select the "General" tab.
In the "Repository" section, enter your GitHub repository's URL and select the branch you want to use.
Click on the "Save" button to save your changes.

Hosting Documentation from a GitHub Repository

Read the Docs allows you to host your documentation from a GitHub repository. Here's how you can do it:

Step 1: Link Your GitHub Repository to Read the Docs

Go to your Read the Docs project's dashboard and click on the "Settings" tab.
Select the "Repository" tab and click on the "Link Repository" button.
Enter your GitHub repository's URL and select the branch you want to use.
Click on the "Link Repository" button to link your repository to Read the Docs.

Step 2: Configure Your Read the Docs Build

Go to your Read the Docs project's dashboard and click on the "Settings" tab.
Select the "Build" tab and click on the "New Build" button.
Select the build type (in this case, "GitHub Pages") and enter your GitHub repository's URL.
Click on the "Save" button to save your changes.

Converting Pre-Existing Documentation into Read the Docs Files

Read the Docs supports various documentation formats, including Markdown, reStructuredText, and Sphinx. Here's how you can convert your pre-existing documentation into Read the Docs files:

Step 1: Choose a Documentation Format

Decide on a documentation format that you want to use for your project.
Read the Docs supports various documentation formats, including Markdown, reStructuredText, and Sphinx.

Step 2: Convert Your Documentation

Use a tool like pandoc to convert your documentation from one format to another.
For example, you can use pandoc to convert your Markdown documentation to reStructuredText.

Step 3: Upload Your Documentation to Read the Docs

Go to your Read the Docs project's dashboard and click on the "Upload" tab.
Select the documentation format you chose in Step 1.
Upload your documentation files to Read the Docs.

(Optional) Including Python Bindings Documentation

If you have Python bindings for your project, you can include their documentation in Read the Docs. Here's how you can do it:

Step 1: Design a Build Pipeline

Design a build pipeline that will generate the Python bindings documentation.
The build pipeline should use a tool like sphinx to generate the documentation.

Step 2: Configure Your Read the Docs Build

Go to your Read the Docs project's dashboard and click on the "Settings" tab.
Select the "Build" tab and click on the "New Build" button.
Select the build type (in this case, "Sphinx") and enter the URL of your build pipeline.
Click on the "Save" button to save your changes.

Step 3: Upload Your Python Bindings Documentation

Go to your Read the Docs project's dashboard and click on the "Upload" tab.
Select the documentation format you chose in Step 1.
Upload your Python bindings documentation files to Read the Docs.

Conclusion

In this article, we have guided you through the process of setting up Read the Docs for your project, hosting your documentation from a GitHub repository, and converting your pre-existing documentation into Read the Docs files. We have also covered the optional step of including Python bindings documentation in Read the Docs. By following these steps, you can create a professional-looking documentation for your project and make it easily accessible to your users.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I create a Read the Docs project? A: To create a Read the Docs project, go to the Read the Docs website and click on the "Create a Project" button.
Q: How do I link my GitHub repository to Read the Docs? A: To link your GitHub repository to Read the Docs, go to your Read the Docs project's dashboard and click on the "Settings" tab. Select the "Repository" tab and click on the "Link Repository" button.
Q: How do I convert my pre-existing documentation into Read the Docs files? A: To convert your pre-existing documentation into Read the Docs files, choose a documentation format that you want to use for your project. Use a tool like pandoc to convert your documentation from one format to another. Upload your documentation files to Read the Docs.

General Questions

Q: What is Read the Docs?

A: Read the Docs is a platform for hosting and managing documentation for open-source projects. It provides a simple and intuitive way to create, manage, and host documentation for your project.

Q: How do I create a Read the Docs project?

A: To create a Read the Docs project, go to the Read the Docs website and click on the "Create a Project" button. Fill out the required information, including your project's name, description, and repository type.

Q: How do I link my GitHub repository to Read the Docs?

A: To link your GitHub repository to Read the Docs, go to your Read the Docs project's dashboard and click on the "Settings" tab. Select the "Repository" tab and click on the "Link Repository" button. Enter your GitHub repository's URL and select the branch you want to use.

Documentation Questions

Q: What documentation formats does Read the Docs support?

A: Read the Docs supports various documentation formats, including Markdown, reStructuredText, and Sphinx.

Q: How do I convert my pre-existing documentation into Read the Docs files?

A: To convert your pre-existing documentation into Read the Docs files, choose a documentation format that you want to use for your project. Use a tool like pandoc to convert your documentation from one format to another. Upload your documentation files to Read the Docs.

Q: How do I upload my documentation files to Read the Docs?

A: To upload your documentation files to Read the Docs, go to your Read the Docs project's dashboard and click on the "Upload" tab. Select the documentation format you chose and upload your documentation files.

Build and Deployment Questions

Q: How do I configure my Read the Docs build?

A: To configure your Read the Docs build, go to your Read the Docs project's dashboard and click on the "Settings" tab. Select the "Build" tab and click on the "New Build" button. Select the build type and enter the URL of your build pipeline.

Q: How do I deploy my documentation to Read the Docs?

A: To deploy your documentation to Read the Docs, go to your Read the Docs project's dashboard and click on the "Deploy" tab. Select the deployment type and enter the URL of your deployment pipeline.

Advanced Questions

Q: How do I use custom themes in Read the Docs?

A: To use custom themes in Read the Docs, go to your Read the Docs project's dashboard and click on the "Settings" tab. Select the "Appearance" tab and click on the "Custom Themes" button. Upload your custom theme files and select the theme you want to use.

Q: How do I use custom plugins in Read the Docs?

A: To use custom plugins in Read the Docs, go to your Read the Docs project's dashboard and click on the "Settings" tab. Select the "Plugins" tab and click on the "Custom Plugins" button. Upload your custom plugin files and select the plugin you want to use.

Troubleshooting Questions

Q: Why is my documentation not building?

A: If your documentation is not building, check the build logs for errors. Make sure that your documentation files are in the correct format and that your build pipeline is configured correctly.

Q: Why is my documentation not deploying?

A: If your documentation is not deploying, check the deployment logs for errors. Make sure that your deployment pipeline is configured correctly and that your documentation files are in the correct format.

Conclusion

In this article, we have answered some of the most frequently asked questions about Read the Docs. We hope that this article has been helpful in answering your questions and providing you with a better understanding of how to use Read the Docs.

Contact Us

If you have any further questions or need help with using Read the Docs, please don't hesitate to contact us. We are here to help and provide you with the support you need to succeed.