mkdocstrings
Automatic documentation from sources, for MkDocs.
Features
- Language agnostic: just like
mkdocs
,mkdocstrings
is written in Python but is language-agnostic. It means you can use it for any language, as long as you implement ahandler
for it. Currently, we only have a Python handler. Maybe you'd like to contribute another oneđ ? - Multiple themes support: each handler can offer multiple themes. Currently, we offer the
â Material themeâ as well as basic support for the ReadTheDocs theme for the Python handler. - Cross-references to other objects:
mkdocstrings
makes it possible to reference other headings from your Markdown files with the classic Markdown syntax:[identifier][]
or[title][identifier]
. This feature is language agnostic as well: you can cross-reference any heading that appear in your Markdown pages. If the handler for a particular language renders headings for documented objects, you'll be able to reference them! - Inline injection in Markdown: instead of generating Markdown files,
mkdocstrings
allows you to inject documentation anywhere in your Markdown contents. The syntax is simple:::: identifier
followed by a 4-spaces indented YAML block. The identifier and YAML configuration will be passed to the appropriate handler to collect and render documentation. - Global and local configuration: each handler can be configured globally in
mkdocs.yml
, and locally for each "autodoc" instruction. - Watch source code directories: you can tell
mkdocstrings
to add directories to be watched bymkdocs
when serving the documentation, for auto-reload. - Sane defaults: you should be able to just drop the plugin in your configuration and enjoy your auto-generated docs.
Python handler features
- Data collection from source code: collection of the object-tree and the docstrings is done by
pytkdocs
. The following features are possible thanks to it:- Support for type annotations:
pytkdocs
collects your type annotations andmkdocstrings
uses them to display parameters types or return types. - Recursive documentation of Python objects: just use the module dotted-path as identifier, and you get the full module docs. You don't need to inject documentation for each class, function, etc.
- Support for documented attribute: attributes (variables) followed by a docstring (triple-quoted string) will be recognized by
pytkdocs
in modules, classes and even in__init__
methods. - Support for objects properties:
pytkdocs
detects if a method is astaticmethod
, aclassmethod
, etc., it also detects if a property is read-only or writable, and more! These properties will be displayed next to the object signature bymkdocstrings
. - Google-style sections support in docstrings:
pytkdocs
understandsArguments:
,Raises:
andReturns:
sections, and returns structured data formkdocstrings
to render them. - reStructuredText-style sections support in docstrings:
pytkdocs
understands all the reStructuredText fields, and returns structured data formkdocstrings
to render them. Note: only RST style is supported, not the whole markup. - Admonition support in docstrings: blocks like
Note:
orWarning:
will be transformed to their admonition equivalent. We do not support nested admonitions in docstrings! - Support for reStructuredText in docstrings:
pytkdocs
can parse simple RST.
- Support for type annotations:
- Every object has a TOC entry: we render a heading for each object, meaning
mkdocs
picks them into the Table of Contents, which is nicely display by the Material theme. Thanks tomkdocstrings
cross-reference ability, you can even reference other objects within your docstrings, with the classic Markdown syntax:[this object][package.module.object]
or directly with[package.module.object][]
- Source code display:
mkdocstrings
can add a collapsible div containing the highlighted source code of the Python object.
To get an example of what is possible, check mkdocstrings
' own documentation, auto-generated from sources by itself of course, and the following GIF:
Roadmap
See the Feature Roadmap issue on the bugtracker.
Requirements
mkdocstrings
requires Python 3.6 or above.
To install Python 3.6, I recommend using pyenv
.
# install pyenv
git clone https://github.com/pyenv/pyenv ~/.pyenv
# setup pyenv (you should also put these three lines in .bashrc or similar)
export PATH="${HOME}/.pyenv/bin:${PATH}"
export PYENV_ROOT="${HOME}/.pyenv"
eval "$(pyenv init -)"
# install Python 3.6
pyenv install 3.6.12
# make it available globally
pyenv global system 3.6.12
This project currently only works with the Material theme of MkDocs. Therefore, it is required that you have it installed.
pip install mkdocs-material
Installation
With pip
:
python3.6 -m pip install mkdocstrings
With conda
:
conda install -c conda-forge mkdocstrings
Quick usage
# mkdocs.yml
theme:
name: "material"
plugins:
- search
- mkdocstrings
In one of your markdown files:
# Reference
::: my_library.my_module.my_class
See the Usage section of the docs for more examples!