Docs

Docs is a shortened form of documents or documentation. In everyday use, it refers to both physical or digital records and to the body of explanatory material that accompanies software, hardware, or processes. In computing and information management, the term signals organized content intended to inform users, developers, and administrators about how something works and how to interact with it.

In software, documentation explains a system’s purpose, features, and interfaces. Common types include user manuals, API references, integration guides, tutorials, and design notes. Documentation is produced in various formats, such as web pages, PDFs, Markdown files, or structured data formats, and repositories may include a docs directory to house these materials. Good docs are clear, accurate, up to date, and easy to navigate.

Examples of products commonly referred to as docs include Google Docs, a web-based word processor that supports real time collaboration and is part of Google Workspace. More broadly, many projects publish public docs for users and internal docs for developers, operators, and support staff. Documentation often evolves with software releases and is maintained by dedicated teams or community contributors.

Best practices emphasize consistent structure, glossary, searchability, versioning, accessibility, and contribution guidelines. Organizations may host docs on separate documentation platforms or embedded in code repositories. The goal is to enable learning, reduce support load, and provide a reliable reference throughout the product lifecycle.