Terraform Provider Docs

Follow This Workflow

• Confirm scope and documentation targets.

• Map code changes to the exact doc targets: provider index, resources, data sources, ephemeral resources, list resources, functions, or guides.

• Decide whether content should come from schema descriptions, templates, or both.

• Write schema descriptions first.

• Add precise user-facing descriptions to schema fields so generated docs stay aligned with behavior.

• Keep wording specific to argument purpose, constraints, defaults, and computed behavior.

• Add or update template files in docs/.

• Create only files that map to implemented provider objects.

• Use HashiCorp-recommended template paths:

• docs/index.md.tmpl

• docs/data-sources/<name>.md.tmpl

• docs/resources/<name>.md.tmpl

• docs/ephemeral-resources/<name>.md.tmpl

• docs/list-resources/<name>.md.tmpl

• docs/functions/<name>.md.tmpl

• docs/guides/<name>.md.tmpl

• Keep templates focused on overview and examples; rely on generated sections for field-by-field details.

• Generate documentation with tfplugindocs.

• Prefer repository defaults when configured:

go generate ./...

• Otherwise run the generator directly:

go run github.com/hashicorp/terraform-plugin-docs/cmd/tfplugindocs generate --provider-name <provider_name>

• Re-run generation after every schema or template edit.

• Validate the generated markdown.

• Verify files in docs/ match the current provider implementation.

• Verify examples are valid HCL and reflect current argument/attribute names.

• Verify required/optional/computed semantics in docs match schema behavior.

• Apply Registry publication rules before release.

• Use semantic version tags prefixed with v (for example v1.2.3).

• Create release tags from the default branch.

• Keep terraform-registry-manifest.json in the repository root.

• Expect docs to be versioned in Registry and switchable with the version selector.

• Preview or troubleshoot publication when needed.

• Use the HashiCorp preview process to inspect rendered docs before release when accuracy risk is high.

• If docs are missing in Registry, check tag format, tag source branch, manifest file presence, and provider publication status.

Enforce Quality Bar

• Keep documentation behaviorally accurate; never describe unsupported arguments or attributes.

• Keep examples minimal, realistic, and runnable.

• Keep terminology and naming consistent across provider, resources, and data sources.

• Avoid duplicating generated argument/attribute blocks in manual templates.

• Keep doc changes tied to the same PR as schema/API changes whenever possible.

Load References On Demand

• Read references/hashicorp-provider-docs.md for source-backed rules and official links.

• Load only the sections needed for the current change to keep context lean.