Embarking on a New Chapter
Welcome to my first blog post! 🎉
I embarked on a journey to find a good documentation platform, starting with DocFx. While, I was charmed by its simplicity, I soon hit the limits of customisation.
That's when I discovered Docusaurus - a world of vibrant themes and advanced features that transformed my site into an engaging, dynamic hub. It was a true game-changer in documentation!
During this process, the site's name was also changed from "Coffee & Docs" to "Chai Biscuit".
The Beginning: Why I Chose DocFX
Like any enthusiastic developer eager to document their work, I embarked on my journey with DocFX. It was a natural fit, as getting started was as easy as installing dotnet cli. Being a .Net dev, I met the minimum requirements, enabling me to start using DocFX immediately. During the early stages of my DocFX experience, I was optimistic as I explored its capabilities. I found its simplicity and ability to produce immediate results delightful.
Hitting Roadblocks with DocFX
As I started adding more content, so did its demands. I soon realised that DocFX, though robust, came with its set of limitations:
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Customization Woes: My vision for a sleek and user-friendly website clashed with the limited theming options available. I wanted a platform that could provide aesthetics and functionality without requiring extensive workarounds.
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Community and Support: Finding solutions and support in the community became increasingly difficult, leaving me stranded with my problems.
Discovering Docusaurus
While exploring alternative platforms, I discovered Docusaurus. Its impressive features seemed almost too good to be true.
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Vibrant Customization: Docusaurus offers effortless customization through many themes and plugins. It promises a wide range of customisation options with minimal effort.
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Advanced Search Functionality: Integrated Algolia search means my documentation will be as user-friendly and searchable as modern websites, even though I haven't enabled it yet 😊.
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Dynamic Content Management: The ease of managing markdown files and documentation versions was a game changer. Additionally, its React foundation opened up a world of possibilities for interactive content.
The Migration: A Smooth Transition
Transitioning to Docusaurus was an enlightening process. I carefully planned the migration of my existing content to the new structure, utilising Docusaurus's vibrant ecosystem to improve every aspect of my site. The migration was about not just moving content but transforming how it was presented and interacted with.
The Result: A Revitalized Documentation Experience
My site is no longer a mere collection of guides. It has evolved into a dynamic and engaging platform that visitors truly enjoy exploring. Docusaurus has not only met my expectations but has surpassed them, making every bit of the effort put into it worthwhile.
Reflections and Advice
The journey from DocFX to Docusaurus has taught me a valuable lesson about the significance of adaptability in technology choices. My advice for those who are planning a similar migration is to think about their needs and the community support they might require in the long run. Do not hesitate to embrace the change, as it could transform how you and your users interact with your site. During my transition, I realised that having the right tools is essential to communicate the story of your development work effectively.
Finally, This cool GIF that demonstrates how the site has evolved since its inception
Let’s keep it going: strong chai ☕, steady biscuits 🍪, and unstoppable code 💻.
🎉Happy coding!!🎉
Keep the chai ☕ flowing and the biscuits 🍪 dunking! If you enjoyed this, buying me a coffee ☕ helps me keep writing.