From e7af1a1e2c851cd6b38ffc726bd871198aee8227 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Devin Logan Date: Tue, 10 Mar 2026 13:47:52 -0400 Subject: [PATCH 1/2] condense readme --- README.md | 144 +++--------------------------------------------------- 1 file changed, 6 insertions(+), 138 deletions(-) diff --git a/README.md b/README.md index 39c3853..6d5a255 100644 --- a/README.md +++ b/README.md @@ -10,13 +10,13 @@
-# Docs Starter +# Docs starter Create beautiful documentation in under 5 minutes using your OpenAPI specification. -## Customer Showcase +## Customer showcase Get inspired by API documentation built with Fern: [Webflow](https://developers.webflow.com) | [You.com](https://you.com/docs) | [Cohere](https://docs.cohere.com) | [ElevenLabs](https://elevenlabs.io/docs) @@ -26,144 +26,12 @@ Get inspired by API documentation built with Fern: [Webflow](https://developers. - Node 18 or higher - A [GitHub](https://github.com) account -- Knowledge of the command line -### Step 1: Use this template +## Getting started -1. Click on the **Use this template** button (found at the top right of this page). You must be logged into GitHub. -2. Choose the option to **create a new repository**. Name it `fern-docs`. -3. Install the Fern Command Line Interface (CLI) by running: - -```bash -npm install -g fern-api -``` - -### Step 2: Clone and open the repo in your preferred code editor - -Clone your newly created repository and open it in your favorite code editor (e.g., Cursor, VS Code). - -The files and folders discussed in the following steps will be inside the `fern/` folder in your repository. - -### Step 3: Customize your organization name - -You need to replace `"plantstore"` with your own organization name in two files: - -**1. Update `fern.config.json`:** -Open the `fern.config.json` file and change the organization name: - -```json -{ - "organization": "your-company-name", - "version": "2.4.0" -} -``` - -Run the following command to ensure you are using the latest version of Fern: - -```bash -fern upgrade -``` - -Replace `plantstore` with your own organization's name. Use only alphanumeric characters, hyphens, and underscores. - -**2. Update `docs.yml`:** -Open the `docs.yml` file and change the `instances.url` value from `plantstore` to your company name that you used for the `organization` name. **Do not use spaces and leave the rest of the URL (`docs.buildwithfern.com`) unchanged.** - -It should now read: - -```yml -instances: - - url: your-company-name.docs.buildwithfern.com -``` - -### Step 4: Generate your documentation - -Run the following command: - -```bash -fern generate --docs -``` - -You will be prompted to log in and connect your GitHub account. - -You might also be prompted, `yes` or `no`, about if you want to proceed with generating docs and informed that you can choose between using the `--preview` flag or not. You can choose to use either `fern generate --docs` or `fern generate --docs --preview` at this time. This decision is important later, when you are making changes that might affect a production docs environment, but it won't impact your docs project now. - -Once the documentation is generated, you will receive the URL where your documentation is published. For example: - -```shell -┌─ -│ ✓ your-company-name.docs.buildwithfern.com -└─ -``` - -### Step 5: Try local development - -Preview your documentation locally. Run ​`fern docs dev`​ to access your docs on your local server at port 3000, hot-reloading as you edit your markdown and OpenAPI files. [Learn more](https://buildwithfern.com/learn/docs/getting-started/development?utm_source=github&utm_medium=readme&utm_campaign=docs-starter-openapi&utm_content=step6) or [watch a 10-second demo](https://www.loom.com/share/0a4658bd78cb45d5a9519277852c7a24?sid=3ce69ad0-bfdb-4fa1-9abf-2f4366d084b9). - -### Step 6: Preview your documentation -You can generate documentation previews - -#### Generate previews from CLI - -To preview updates to your documentation before publishing changes, run `fern generate --docs --preview`. - -#### Configure PR previews - -Your quickstart Fern project also includes GitHub Actions, including an action that enables generating previews in PRs. You don't need to update anything in the GitHub actions, but you do need to create a `FERN_TOKEN` auth token to enable them. - -1. Open your GitHub repository and [create a new repository secret](https://docs.github.com/en/actions/how-tos/write-workflows/choose-what-workflows-do/use-secrets#creating-secrets-for-a-repository). -2. For the **Name**, use `FERN_TOKEN`. -3. In your local terminal, run [`fern token`](https://buildwithfern.com/learn/cli-api-reference/cli-reference/commands#detailed-command-documentation) to generate an auth token value. -4. Copy the output from your terminal, and paste in GitHub as the **Value**. -5. Save your new secret. - -You might need to re-run preview builds for any PRs that were opened before you configured the `FERN_TOKEN`. - -For more information about built-in automation for previews and the `preview-docs.yml` GitHub action, see the [Previewing changes in a PR](https://buildwithfern.com/learn/docs/preview-publish/previewing-changes-in-a-pr#usage-in-github-actions) Fern docs. - -### Step 7: Customize your documentation - -You must run `fern generate --docs` after any modifications to re-generate and publish your documentation site. - -To use your own OpenAPI specification file or to update the existing one: - -- Update or replace the OpenAPI specification file in the `openapi/` folder. -- _Note: Don't have an OpenAPI spec? Use Fern's simpler format to define your API._ [_Learn more_](https://github.com/fern-api/docs-starter-fern-definition?utm_source=github&utm_medium=readme&utm_campaign=docs-starter-openapi&utm_content=step7). - -To modify the other docs pages: - -- Update the Markdown files located in the `docs/pages/` folder, such as `welcome.mdx`. - -To modify site styles and navigation, or to add new pages: - -- See [Writing Content](https://buildwithfern.com/learn/docs/content/write-markdown?utm_source=github&utm_medium=readme&utm_campaign=docs-starter-openapi&utm_content=step7). - -To learn about Fern's built-in component library you can use within MDX files: - -- See the [Component Library](https://buildwithfern.com/learn/docs/content/components/overview?utm_source=github&utm_medium=readme&utm_campaign=docs-starter-openapi&utm_content=step7). - -### Step 8: Set up a custom domain - -If you wish to use a custom subdomain like `https://docs.YOUR_ORGANIZATION.com` or a subpath like `https://YOUR_ORGANIZATION.com/docs`, you can subscribe to the [Basic plan](https://buildwithfern.com/pricing?utm_source=github&utm_medium=readme&utm_campaign=docs-starter-openapi&utm_content=step8). Once subscribed, update `docs.yml` with the custom domain configuration: - -```yaml -- url: plantstore.docs.buildwithfern.com - custom-domain: plantstore.dev -``` - -### Step 9: Use the Fern Dashboard - -Access the [Fern Dashboard](https://buildwithfern.com) to monitor your docs and edit content in the browser. - -**Analytics:** Track page views, search queries, user feedback, and API Explorer usage to understand how developers use your docs. - -**Fern Editor:** Edit Markdown files directly in the browser with a WYSIWYG web editor. Ideal for non-technical team members who want to contribute to your docs. Edits appear as pull requests in GitHub and follow the same Git-backed approval workflow as code editor contributions. - -### Step 10: Explore advanced features - -For advanced documentation features and options, view the full [project structure](https://buildwithfern.com/learn/docs/getting-started/project-structure?utm_source=github&utm_medium=readme&utm_campaign=docs-starter-openapi&utm_content=step9). - -Good luck creating beautiful and functional documentation! 🌿 +You can get started with a Fern Docs site using either: +- **Guided UI** — No command line knowledge required. [Get started from your browser](https://dashboard.buildwithfern.com/get-started). +- **Command line** — Use this repository as a starting point, or start from scratch. See the [Docs quickstart](https://buildwithfern.com/learn/docs/getting-started/quickstart) for instructions. --- From 0140ec62d83ec25b3bc79cfd122fbd6269471c5f Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Devin Logan Date: Tue, 10 Mar 2026 16:55:35 -0400 Subject: [PATCH 2/2] add more details to steps --- README.md | 55 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++--- 1 file changed, 52 insertions(+), 3 deletions(-) diff --git a/README.md b/README.md index 6d5a255..03b3ba9 100644 --- a/README.md +++ b/README.md @@ -26,12 +26,61 @@ Get inspired by API documentation built with Fern: [Webflow](https://developers. - Node 18 or higher - A [GitHub](https://github.com) account +- Knowledge of the command line ## Getting started -You can get started with a Fern Docs site using either: -- **Guided UI** — No command line knowledge required. [Get started from your browser](https://dashboard.buildwithfern.com/get-started). -- **Command line** — Use this repository as a starting point, or start from scratch. See the [Docs quickstart](https://buildwithfern.com/learn/docs/getting-started/quickstart) for instructions. +> **Prefer a no-code setup?** Use the [guided UI](https://dashboard.buildwithfern.com/get-started) to get started from your browser instead. + +Follow the steps below, or see the [Docs quickstart](https://buildwithfern.com/learn/docs/getting-started/quickstart) for a more detailed walkthrough. + +1. **Install the CLI** + + ```bash + npm install -g fern-api + ``` + +2. **Initialize your docs** + + Clone this starter template, or run `fern init --docs` to start from scratch. + +3. **Configure your organization** + + Set your organization name in `fern.config.json` and your docs URL in `docs.yml`: + + ```json + // fern.config.json + { "organization": "your-org-name", "version": "4.21.3" } + ``` + + ```yaml + # docs.yml + instances: + - url: your-org-name.docs.buildwithfern.com + ``` + +4. **Preview locally** + + ```bash + fern docs dev + ``` + +5. **Publish** + + ```bash + fern generate --docs + ``` + +## Customize your docs + +Once you're up and running, you can tailor your docs site to match your brand and product: + +- **[Brand your docs](https://buildwithfern.com/learn/docs/configuration/site-level-settings)** — Set custom colors, logo, favicon, and fonts in `docs.yml` +- **[Add an API reference](https://buildwithfern.com/learn/docs/api-references/generate-api-ref)** — Auto-generate interactive API docs from your OpenAPI spec +- **[Use components](https://buildwithfern.com/learn/docs/writing-content/components/overview)** — Tabs, accordions, callouts, cards, and more out of the box +- **[Set up a custom domain](https://buildwithfern.com/learn/docs/preview-publish/setting-up-your-domain)** — Host on your own domain (e.g., `docs.example.com`) +- **[Configure analytics](https://buildwithfern.com/learn/docs/integrations/overview)** — Integrate with PostHog, Segment, Google Tag Manager, and others +- **[Customize navigation](https://buildwithfern.com/learn/docs/configuration/navigation)** — Add versioned docs, tabs, nested sections, and multi-product layouts ---