rtfd

RTFD is an acronym used in software development and online communities, standing for variants such as Read The Fine Documentation or Read The F***ing Documentation. It is employed to encourage or remind someone to consult the official documentation before asking for help. The phrase is related to older terms like RTFM (Read The Manual) and RTM, but RTFD tends to be used in contexts involving online documentation and project wikis.

In practice, RTFD appears in forums, issue trackers, chat channels, and repository READMEs. Advocates view it as a practical nudge to rely on authoritative sources and to reduce repeated questions. Critics, however, see it as blunt or dismissive, potentially alienating newcomers. Some communities respond by improving documentation and onboarding materials rather than resorting to terse reminders.

Origins of the term are tied to the broader “read the manual” culture in computing. While the exact origin of the RTFD variant is not precisely documented, it emerged in online technical communities during the 1990s and 2000s as a milder or alternative form to RTFM. Usage and connotation vary by community; in some circles it is a routine shorthand, while in others it is avoided in favor of more courteous guidance.

See also: RTFM, RTM, Read the Docs (the documentation hosting service).