writing-docs

Writing Remotion Documentation

Documentation lives in packages/docs/docs as .mdx files.

Adding a new page

1. Create a new .mdx file in packages/docs/docs
2. Add the document to packages/docs/sidebars.ts
3. Write the content following guidelines below
4. Run bun render-cards.ts in packages/docs to generate social preview cards

Breadcrumb (crumb): If a documentation page belongs to a package, add crumb: '@remotion/package-name' to the frontmatter. This displays the package name as a breadcrumb above the title.

---
image: /generated/articles-docs-my-package-my-api.png
title: '<MyComponent>'
crumb: '@remotion/my-package'
---

One API per page: Each function or API should have its own dedicated documentation page. Do not combine multiple APIs (e.g., getEncodableVideoCodecs() and getEncodableAudioCodecs()) on a single page.

Public API only: Documentation is for public APIs only. Do not mention, reference, or compare against internal/private APIs or implementation details.

API names in prose: Put API names in backticks, and link them if a docs page exists. Function and hook names should include (), for example useVideoConfig(), not useVideoConfig or useVideoConfig. Components should include angle brackets, for example <Player> or <Audio>.

Use headings for all fields: When documenting API options or return values, each property should be its own heading. Use ### for top-level properties and #### for nested properties within an options object. Do not use bullet points for individual fields.

Version indicators: If an API, feature, parameter, or behavior was added in a specific version, add <AvailableFrom> at the page, section, or field where the reader first needs to know it. For example: # prefetch()<AvailableFrom v="4.0.0" />.

Compatibility tables: API pages should ideally include a ## Compatibility section with <CompatibilityTable> before ## See also.

Sidebar order: When adding or moving docs in packages/docs/sidebars.ts, inspect the surrounding entries and match the ordering logic already used there. If a section is alphabetical, place the new entry alphabetically; if it is grouped by workflow or importance, place it consistently with that grouping. Do not leave new additions as one-off outliers.

Language guidelines

• Keep it brief: Developers don't like to read. Extra words cause information loss.
• Link to terminology: Use terminology page for Remotion-specific terms.
• Avoid emotions: Remove filler like "Great! Let's move on..." - it adds no information.
• Separate into paragraphs: Break up long sections.
• Address as "you": Not "we".
• Don't blame the user: Say "The input is invalid" not "You provided wrong input".
• Don't assume it's easy: Avoid "simply" and "just" - beginners may struggle.

Code snippets

Basic syntax highlighting:

```ts
const x = 1;
```

Type-safe snippets (preferred)

Use twoslash to check snippets against TypeScript:

```ts twoslash
import {useCurrentFrame} from 'remotion';
const frame = useCurrentFrame();
```

Hiding imports

Use // ---cut--- to hide setup code - only content below is displayed:

```ts twoslash
import {useCurrentFrame} from 'remotion';
// ---cut---
const frame = useCurrentFrame();
```

Adding titles

Always add a title to code fences that show example usage:

```ts twoslash title="MyComponent.tsx"
console.log('Hello');
```

Special components

Steps

Formatting around <Step> is delicate. Keep one step per line, add a space after </Step>, and preserve an explicit line break (<br/> or <br />) when the steps are written as a compact inline list. Do not write <Step>1</Step>Add... without a space.

- <Step>1</Step> First step
- <Step>2</Step> Second step

Experimental badge

<ExperimentalBadge>
<p>This feature is experimental.</p>
</ExperimentalBadge>

Interactive demos

<Demo type="rect"/>

Demos must be implemented in packages/docs/components/demos/index.tsx. See the docs-demo skill for details on adding new demos.

AvailableFrom

Use to indicate when a feature or parameter was added. No import needed - it's globally available.

For page-level version indicators, use an # h1 heading with <AvailableFrom> inline so it appears next to the title (not below it). Use < and > to escape angle brackets in component names:

# &lt;MyComponent&gt;<AvailableFrom v="4.0.123" />

# @remotion/my-package<AvailableFrom v="4.0.123" />

For section headings:

## Saving to another cloud<AvailableFrom v="3.2.23" />

CompatibilityTable

Use to indicate which runtimes and environments a component or API supports. No import needed. Place it in a ## Compatibility section before ## See also.

Available boolean props: chrome, firefox, safari, player, studio, clientSideRendering, serverSideRendering. Set to true (supported) or {false} (not supported).

Set to empty string "" for not applicable if this is a frontend API: nodejs="", bun="", serverlessFunctions="". Use hideServers to hide the Node.js/Bun/serverless row if this is a frontend API.

## Compatibility
 
<CompatibilityTable chrome firefox safari nodejs="" bun="" serverlessFunctions="" clientSideRendering={false} serverSideRendering player studio hideServers />

Optional parameters

For optional parameters in API documentation:

1. Add ? to the heading - this indicates the parameter is optional --> Don't do it if it is a CLI flag (beginning with --) - CLI flags are always optional
2. Do NOT add _optional_ text - the ? suffix is sufficient
3. Include default value in description - mention it naturally in the text

### onError?
 
Called when an error occurs. Default: errors are thrown.

Do NOT do this:

### onError?
 
_optional_
 
Called when an error occurs.

Combining optional and AvailableFrom

When a parameter is both optional and was added in a specific version:

### onError?<AvailableFrom v="4.0.50" />
 
Called when an error occurs.

"Optional since" pattern

If a parameter became optional in a specific version (was previously required):

### codec?
 
Optional since <AvailableFrom v="5.0.0" inline />. Previously required.

Generating preview cards

After adding or editing a page, generate social media preview cards:

cd packages/docs && bun render-cards.ts

Streamlining existing docs

When asked to audit or streamline docs, scan for:

• Missing <AvailableFrom> indicators for APIs, features, options, parameters, or behaviors introduced in a specific version
• API names that are not formatted as code spans or linked to their docs page
• Function and hook references missing ()
• API pages that should have a ## Compatibility section with <CompatibilityTable>
• Fragile or broken <Step> formatting