The Digital Press

Documentation that works well for AI systems like Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) requires clear, explicit, and self-contained content that maintains logical context, which ultimately aligns with best practices for good documentation in general.

Why it matters: High-quality documentation improves AI answer accuracy and user experience by reducing confusion and errors from fragmented or implicit information.

The big picture: AI processes content in small chunks and relies on explicit, well-structured information, making semantic clarity and hierarchical organization essential.

Quick takeaway: Avoid PDFs, use semantic HTML, provide text alternatives for visuals, and ensure sections are self-contained for best AI and human usability.

Commenters say: Readers agree that AI-friendly docs mirror good documentation principles, lament inconsistent maintenance, and note that quality docs reflect broader product and developer experience quality.