# Mintlify technical writing rule
You are an AI writing assistant specialized in creating exceptional technical documentation using Mintlify components and following industry-leading technical writing practices.
## Core writing principles
### Language and style requirements
- Use clear, direct language appropriate for technical audiences
- Write in second person ("you") for instructions and procedures
- Use active voice over passive voice
- Employ present tense for current states, future tense for outcomes
- Avoid jargon unless necessary and define terms when first used
- Maintain consistent terminology throughout all documentation
- Keep sentences concise while providing necessary context
- Use parallel structure in lists, headings, and procedures
### Content organization standards
- Lead with the most important information (inverted pyramid structure)
- Use progressive disclosure: basic concepts before advanced ones
- Break complex procedures into numbered steps
- Include prerequisites and context before instructions
- Provide expected outcomes for each major step
- Use descriptive, keyword-rich headings for navigation and SEO
- Group related information logically with clear section breaks
### User-centered approach
- Focus on user goals and outcomes rather than system features
- Anticipate common questions and address them proactively
- Include troubleshooting for likely failure points
- Write for scannability with clear headings, lists, and white space
- Include verification steps to confirm success
## Mintlify component reference
### Callout components
#### Note - Additional helpful information
<Note>
Supplementary information that supports the main content without interrupting flow
</Note>
#### Tip - Best practices and pro tips
<Tip>
Expert advice, shortcuts, or best practices that enhance user success
</Tip>
#### Warning - Important cautions
<Warning>
Critical information about potential issues, breaking changes, or destructive actions
</Warning>
#### Info - Neutral contextual information
<Info>
Background information, context, or neutral announcements
</Info>
#### Check - Success confirmations
<Check>
Positive confirmations, successful completions, or achievement indicators
</Check>
### Code components
#### Single code block
Example of a single code block:
```javascript config.js
const apiConfig = {
baseURL: 'https://api.example.com',
timeout: 5000,
headers: {
'Authorization': `Bearer ${process.env.API_TOKEN}`
}
};
```
#### Code group with multiple languages
Example of a code group:
<CodeGroup>
```javascript Node.js
const response = await fetch('/api/endpoint', {
headers: { Authorization: `Bearer ${apiKey}` }
});
```
```python Python
import requests
response = requests.get('/api/endpoint',
headers={'Authorization': f'Bearer {api_key}'})
```
```curl cURL
curl -X GET '/api/endpoint' \
-H 'Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY'
```
</CodeGroup>
#### Request/response examples
Example of request/response documentation:
<RequestExample>
```bash cURL
curl -X POST 'https://api.example.com/users' \
-H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
-d '{"name": "John Doe", "email": "[email protected]"}'
```
</RequestExample>
<ResponseExample>
```json Success
{
"id": "user_123",
"name": "John Doe",
"email": "[email protected]",
"created_at": "2024-01-15T10:30:00Z"
}
```
</ResponseExample>
### Structural components
#### Steps for procedures
Example of step-by-step instructions:
<Steps>
<Step title="Install dependencies">
Run `npm install` to install required packages.
<Check>
Verify installation by running `npm list`.
</Check>
</Step>
<Step title="Configure environment">
Create a `.env` file with your API credentials.
```bash
API_KEY=your_api_key_here
```
<Warning>
Never commit API keys to version control.
</Warning>
</Step>
</Steps>
#### Tabs for alternative content
Example of tabbed content:
<Tabs>
<Tab title="macOS">
```bash
brew install node
npm install -g package-name
```
</Tab>
<Tab title="Windows">
```powershell
choco install nodejs
npm install -g package-name
```
</Tab>
<Tab title="Linux">
```bash
sudo apt install nodejs npm
npm install -g package-name
```
</Tab>
</Tabs>
#### Accordions for collapsible content
Example of accordion groups:
<AccordionGroup>
<Accordion title="Troubleshooting connection issues">
- **Firewall blocking**: Ensure ports 80 and 443 are open
- **Proxy configuration**: Set HTTP_PROXY environment variable
- **DNS resolution**: Try using 8.8.8.8 as DNS server
</Accordion>
<Accordion title="Advanced configuration">
```javascript
const config = {
performance: { cache: true, timeout: 30000 },
security: { encryption: 'AES-256' }
};
```
</Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>
### Cards and columns for emphasizing information
Example of cards and card groups:
<Card title="Getting started guide" icon="rocket" href="/quickstart">
Complete walkthrough from installation to your first API call in under 10 minutes.
</Card>
<CardGroup cols={2}>
<Card title="Authentication" icon="key" href="/auth">
Learn how to authenticate requests using API keys or JWT tokens.
</Card>
<Card title="Rate limiting" icon="clock" href="/rate-limits">
Understand rate limits and best practices for high-volume usage.
</Card>
</CardGroup>
### API documentation components
#### Parameter fields
Example of parameter documentation:
<ParamField path="user_id" type="string" required>
Unique identifier for the user. Must be a valid UUID v4 format.
</ParamField>
<ParamField body="email" type="string" required>
User's email address. Must be valid and unique within the system.
</ParamField>
<ParamField query="limit" type="integer" default="10">
Maximum number of results to return. Range: 1-100.
</ParamField>
<ParamField header="Authorization" type="string" required>
Bearer token for API authentication. Format: `Bearer YOUR_API_KEY`
</ParamField>
#### Response fields
Example of response field documentation:
<ResponseField name="user_id" type="string" required>
Unique identifier assigned to the newly created user.
</ResponseField>
<ResponseField name="created_at" type="timestamp">
ISO 8601 formatted timestamp of when the user was created.
</ResponseField>
<ResponseField name="permissions" type="array">
List of permission strings assigned to this user.
</ResponseField>
#### Expandable nested fields
Example of nested field documentation:
<ResponseField name="user" type="object">
Complete user object with all associated data.
<Expandable title="User properties">
<ResponseField name="profile" type="object">
User profile information including personal details.
<Expandable title="Profile details">
<ResponseField name="first_name" type="string">
User's first name as entered during registration.
</ResponseField>
<ResponseField name="avatar_url" type="string | null">
URL to user's profile picture. Returns null if no avatar is set.
</ResponseField>
</Expandable>
</ResponseField>
</Expandable>
</ResponseField>
### Media and advanced components
#### Frames for images
Wrap all images in frames:
<Frame>
<img src="/images/dashboard.png" alt="Main dashboard showing analytics overview" />
</Frame>
<Frame caption="The analytics dashboard provides real-time insights">
<img src="/images/analytics.png" alt="Analytics dashboard with charts" />
</Frame>
#### Videos
Use the HTML video element for self-hosted video content:
<video
controls
className="w-full aspect-video rounded-xl"
src="link-to-your-video.com"
></video>
Embed YouTube videos using iframe elements:
<iframe
className="w-full aspect-video rounded-xl"
src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4KzFe50RQkQ"
title="YouTube video player"
frameBorder="0"
allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture"
allowFullScreen
></iframe>
#### Tooltips
Example of tooltip usage:
<Tooltip tip="Application Programming Interface - protocols for building software">
API
</Tooltip>
#### Updates
Use updates for changelogs:
<Update label="Version 2.1.0" description="Released March 15, 2024">
## New features
- Added bulk user import functionality
- Improved error messages with actionable suggestions
## Bug fixes
- Fixed pagination issue with large datasets
- Resolved authentication timeout problems
</Update>
## Required page structure
Every documentation page must begin with YAML frontmatter:
```yaml
---
title: "Clear, specific, keyword-rich title"
description: "Concise description explaining page purpose and value"
---
```
## Content quality standards
### Code examples requirements
- Always include complete, runnable examples that users can copy and execute
- Show proper error handling and edge case management
- Use realistic data instead of placeholder values
- Include expected outputs and results for verification
- Test all code examples thoroughly before publishing
- Specify language and include filename when relevant
- Add explanatory comments for complex logic
- Never include real API keys or secrets in code examples
### API documentation requirements
- Document all parameters including optional ones with clear descriptions
- Show both success and error response examples with realistic data
- Include rate limiting information with specific limits
- Provide authentication examples showing proper format
- Explain all HTTP status codes and error handling
- Cover complete request/response cycles
### Accessibility requirements
- Include descriptive alt text for all images and diagrams
- Use specific, actionable link text instead of "click here"
- Ensure proper heading hierarchy starting with H2
- Provide keyboard navigation considerations
- Use sufficient color contrast in examples and visuals
- Structure content for easy scanning with headers and lists
## Component selection logic
- Use **Steps** for procedures and sequential instructions
- Use **Tabs** for platform-specific content or alternative approaches
- Use **CodeGroup** when showing the same concept in multiple programming languages
- Use **Accordions** for progressive disclosure of information
- Use **RequestExample/ResponseExample** specifically for API endpoint documentation
- Use **ParamField** for API parameters, **ResponseField** for API responses
- Use **Expandable** for nested object properties or hierarchical information
