mkdocstrings

Automatic documentation from sources, for MkDocs.

---

---

• Features
  • Python handler features
• Requirements
• Installation
• Usage

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 a handler for it. Currently, we only have a Python handler. Maybe you'd like to contribute another one 😉?
• Multiple themes support: each handler can offer multiple themes. Currently, we only offer the :star: Material 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 by mkdocs 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 and mkdocstrings 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 a staticmethod, a classmethod, etc., it also detects if a property is read-only or writable, and more! These properties will be displayed next to the object signature by mkdocstrings.
  • Google-style sections support in docstrings: pytkdocs understands Arguments:, Raises: and Returns: sections, and returns structured data for mkdocstrings to render them.
  • Admonition support in docstrings: blocks like Note: or Warning: will be transformed to their admonition equivalent. We do not support nested admonitions in docstrings!
• 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 to mkdocstrings 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

• December-January 2020: Proof of Concept.
• January-March 2020: Refactor.
• March-April 2020: Test suite for pytkdocs. Bug fixes, enhancements.
• May-June 2020: Test suite for mkdocstrings itself. Better documentation. Maybe a second handler, just for the fun.

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 3.6.8

# make it available globally
pyenv global system 3.6.8

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

Usage

# mkdocs.yml
theme:
  name: "material"

plugins:
  - search
  - mkdocstrings:
      default_handler: python
      handlers:
        python:
          rendering:
            show_source: true
      watch:
        - src/my_library

In one of your markdown files:

# Reference

::: my_library.my_module.my_class
    rendering:
      show_source: false


::: org.jpackage.BestOfTheBestFactoryInterface
    handler: java  # we don't have a java handler yet, it's just an example

In documentation strings (written in Markdown), you can reference objects from other places:

def some_function():
    """
    This is my function.

    It references [another function][package.submodule.function].
    It also references another object directly: [package.submodule.SuperClass][].
    """
    pass

Add some style in docs/custom.css:

div.doc-contents:not(.first) {
  padding-left: 25px;
  border-left: 4px solid rgba(230, 230, 230);
  margin-bottom: 80px;
}

And add it to your mkdocs.yml:

extra_css:
  - custom.css