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diff --git a/doc/development/documentation/site_architecture/folder_structure.md b/doc/development/documentation/site_architecture/folder_structure.md new file mode 100644 index 00000000000..e960a6491c7 --- /dev/null +++ b/doc/development/documentation/site_architecture/folder_structure.md @@ -0,0 +1,98 @@ +--- +stage: none +group: unassigned +info: To determine the technical writer assigned to the Stage/Group associated with this page, see https://about.gitlab.com/handbook/engineering/ux/technical-writing/#assignments +--- + +# Folder structure for documentation + +The documentation is separated by top-level audience folders [`user`](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab-foss/tree/master/doc/user), +[`administration`](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab-foss/tree/master/doc/administration), +and [`development`](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab-foss/tree/master/doc/development) +(contributing) folders. + +Beyond that, we primarily follow the structure of the GitLab user interface or +API. + +Our goal is to have a clear hierarchical structure with meaningful URLs like +`docs.gitlab.com/user/project/merge_requests/`. With this pattern, you can +immediately tell that you are navigating to user-related documentation about +Project features; specifically about Merge Requests. Our site's paths match +those of our repository, so the clear structure also makes documentation easier +to update. + +Put files for a specific product area into the related folder: + +| Directory | Contents | +|:----------------------|:------------------| +| `doc/user/` | Documentation for users. Anything that can be done in the GitLab user interface goes here, including usage of the `/admin` interface. | +| `doc/administration/` | Documentation that requires the user to have access to the server where GitLab is installed. Administrator settings in the GitLab user interface are under `doc/user/admin_area/`. | +| `doc/api/` | Documentation for the API. | +| `doc/development/` | Documentation related to the development of GitLab, whether contributing code or documentation. Related process and style guides should go here. | +| `doc/legal/` | Legal documents about contributing to GitLab. | +| `doc/install/` | Instructions for installing GitLab. | +| `doc/update/` | Instructions for updating GitLab. | +| `doc/topics/` | Indexes per topic (`doc/topics/topic_name/index.md`): all resources for that topic. | + +## Work with directories and files + +When working with directories and files: + +1. When you create a new directory, always start with an `index.md` file. + Don't use another filename and do not create `README.md` files. +1. Do not use special characters and spaces, or capital letters in file + names, directory names, branch names, and anything that generates a path. +1. When creating or renaming a file or directory and it has more than one word + in its name, use underscores (`_`) instead of spaces or dashes. For example, + proper naming would be `import_project/import_from_github.md`. This applies + to both image files and Markdown files. +1. For image files, do not exceed 100KB. +1. Do not upload video files to the product repositories. + [Link or embed videos](../styleguide/index.md#videos) instead. +1. There are four main directories: `user`, `administration`, `api`, and + `development`. +1. The `doc/user/` directory has five main subdirectories: `project/`, `group/`, + `profile/`, `dashboard/` and `admin_area/`. + - `doc/user/project/` should contain all project related documentation. + - `doc/user/group/` should contain all group related documentation. + - `doc/user/profile/` should contain all profile related documentation. + Every page you would navigate under `/profile` should have its own document, + for example, `account.md`, `applications.md`, or `emails.md`. + - `doc/user/dashboard/` should contain all dashboard related documentation. + - `doc/user/admin_area/` should contain all administrator-related + documentation describing what can be achieved by accessing the GitLab + administrator interface (not to be confused with `doc/administration` where + server access is required). + - Every category under `/admin/application_settings/` should have its + own document located at `doc/user/admin_area/settings/`. For example, + the **Visibility and Access Controls** category should have a document + located at `doc/user/admin_area/settings/visibility_and_access_controls.md`. +1. The `doc/topics/` directory holds topic-related technical content. Create + `doc/topics/topic_name/subtopic_name/index.md` when subtopics become necessary. + General user and administrator documentation should be placed accordingly. +1. The `/university/` directory is *deprecated* and the majority of its documentation + has been moved. + +If you're unsure where to place a document or a content addition, this shouldn't +stop you from authoring and contributing. Use your best judgment, and then ask +the reviewer of your MR to confirm your decision. You can also ask a technical writer at +any stage in the process. The technical writing team reviews all +documentation changes, regardless, and can move content if there is a better +place for it. + +## Avoid duplication + +Do not include the same information in multiple places. +[Link to a single source of truth instead.](../styleguide/index.md#link-instead-of-repeating-text) + +## References across documents + +- Give each folder an `index.md` page that introduces the topic, and both introduces + and links to the child pages, including to the index pages of + any next-level sub-paths. +- To ensure discoverability, ensure each new or renamed doc is linked from its + higher-level index page and other related pages. +- When making reference to other GitLab products and features, link to their + respective documentation, at least on first mention. +- When making reference to third-party products or technologies, link out to + their external sites, documentation, and resources. |