Adapted from the code used to generate the official node.js docs.

Usage

You can generate html and json for single files in your package.json scripts.

{
  "scripts": {
    "generate-html": "node-doc-generator doc/index.md --format=html 
      --template=doc/template.html",
    "generate-json": "node-doc-generator doc/index.md --format=json"
  }
}

Alternatively you can pool all your documentation from included packages into one folder. This will look inside the '~/doc' sub-directory of each package that's included and output the pooled results into the specified output dir of this package. This means that each included package has to follow the convention of putting it's markdown docs inside the 'doc' sub folder.

{
  "scripts": {
    "generate-html": "generate-package-docs @alastair/pbx-providesql 
      @alastair/pbx-ui @alastair/pbx-api @alastair/pbx-rules 
      @alastair/pbx-product-export --outputDir=doc --format=html 
      --template=doc/template.html",
    "generate-json": "generate-package-docs @alastair/pbx-providesql 
      @alastair/pbx-ui @alastair/pbx-api @alastair/pbx-rules 
      @alastair/pbx-product-export --outputDir=doc --format=json"
  }
}

Generating docs this way (for included packages) will also generate an all.html and index.html file.

See the examples directory of this package for an example html template.

How to write the documentation

The docs should be written in markdown and follow these rules from the original node.js docs readme..

Here's how the node docs work.

1:1 relationship from lib/<module>.js to doc/api/<module>.markdown

Each type of heading has a description block.

## module

    Stability: 3 - Stable

description and examples.

### module.property

* Type

description of the property.

### module.someFunction(x, y, [z=100])

* `x` {String} the description of the string
* `y` {Boolean} Should I stay or should I go?
* `z` {Number} How many zebras to bring.

A description of the function.

### Event: 'blerg'

* Argument: SomeClass object.

Modules don't usually raise events on themselves.  `cluster` is the
only exception.

## Class: SomeClass

description of the class.

### Class Method: SomeClass.classMethod(anArg)

* `anArg` {Object}  Just an argument
  * `field` {String} anArg can have this field.
  * `field2` {Boolean}  Another field.  Default: `false`.
* Return: {Boolean} `true` if it worked.

Description of the method for humans.

### someClass.nextSibling()

* Return: {SomeClass object | null}  The next someClass in line.

### someClass.someProperty

* String

The indication of what someProperty is.

### Event: 'grelb'

* `isBlerg` {Boolean}

This event is emitted on instances of SomeClass, not on the module itself.

• Modules have (description, Properties, Functions, Classes, Examples)
• Properties have (type, description)
• Functions have (list of arguments, description)
• Classes have (description, Properties, Methods, Events)
• Events have (list of arguments, description)
• Methods have (list of arguments, description)
• Properties have (type, description)

Stability ratings: 0-5

These can show up below any section heading, and apply to that section.

0 - Deprecated. This feature is known to be problematic, and changes are planned. Do not rely on it. Use of the feature may cause warnings. Backwards compatibility should not be expected.

1 - Experimental. This feature was introduced recently, and may change or be removed in future versions. Please try it out and provide feedback. If it addresses a use-case that is important to you, tell the node core team.

2 - Unstable. The API is in the process of settling, but has not yet had sufficient real-world testing to be considered stable. Backwards-compatibility will be maintained if reasonable.

3 - Stable. The API has proven satisfactory, but cleanup in the underlying code may cause minor changes. Backwards-compatibility is guaranteed.

4 - API Frozen. This API has been tested extensively in production and is unlikely to ever have to change.

5 - Locked. Unless serious bugs are found, this code will not ever change. Please do not suggest changes in this area, they will be refused.

Troubleshooting

• Generating the json doc format can be really fussy, so you'll have to make sure you've got the exact markdown format right, have a look at the source of official node docs for examples