How to write API documentation from an endpoint list

Step 1 — gather your endpoints

Write down every route as METHOD path - what it does. Keep it flat and literal:

GET /users - list users POST /users - create user DELETE /users/:id - remove a user

This list is the only source of truth the docs will reflect, so include the routes you actually expose. If a route exists but isn't in the list, it won't appear in the output.

Step 2 — pick an example language

Decide whether your readers want curl, JavaScript, or Python for the example requests. APIDocGen asks for this once and applies it to every endpoint, so the whole reference stays in one language instead of mixing styles.

Step 3 — generate the Markdown reference

Paste the endpoint list, choose the language, and APIDocGen returns a Markdown API reference: a section per endpoint, an example request for each, and an auth note. The output is copy-ready, so you can drop it into a README, a wiki, or a /docs folder.

Step 4 — review before you publish

The examples are only as good as the list you pasted. Before sharing the docs, check the auth header format matches how your service is actually wired, and confirm the example paths resolve. A generator removes the formatting toil; it doesn't verify your API behaves as written.

An honest limit

APIDocGen formats what you give it. It won't invent endpoints you omitted, and it can't confirm a response shape unless you provide one. Use it to go from "we have endpoints" to "we have a reference" quickly — then review, the same way you would with hand-written docs.

FAQ

What's the fastest way to document a small API?

Paste your endpoint list in `METHOD path - description` form, pick an example language, and generate a Markdown reference. APIDocGen returns per-endpoint examples and an auth note you can copy straight into a repo or wiki.

What format should I paste endpoints in?

One endpoint per line as `METHOD path - what it does` — for example `GET /users - list users`. APIDocGen reads that pattern and builds a section per route.

Should I include auth in every endpoint's docs?

Yes. An auth note on every endpoint saves the next developer from guessing the header. APIDocGen adds an auth note to each endpoint by default, but confirm the header format matches your service.

Can APIDocGen produce Python and JS examples, not just curl?

Yes. You choose curl, JavaScript, or Python as the example language, and APIDocGen applies it to all endpoints so the reference stays consistent.

Do I still need to review the generated docs?

Yes. The output reflects your endpoint list and the auth model you describe; it isn't validated against the running service. Check the auth header and example paths before publishing.

## Disclaimer

Disclaimer (decision-support, not a validation tool): APIDocGen turns an endpoint list you provide into a Markdown API reference with example requests and auth notes. It does not verify that your API behaves as documented, certify correctness, or replace API design or security review. Generated docs reflect your input and should be reviewed before use.

Turn your endpoint list into a clean Markdown reference with copy-ready examples in minutes — try APIDocGen.