In agile development, speed and collaboration are key. But without clear, up-to-date documentation, even the best teams can lose momentum.

That’s where Documentation as Code (DaC) changes the game. It’s not just a developer’s shortcut — it’s a smarter way to manage knowledge, built around the idea of having one trusted, always-current source of truth.

What Is Documentation as Code?

Think of DaC as treating documentation just like software code:

• Written in plain text formats like Markdown

• Stored in version control systems like Git

• Updated through pull requests

• Reviewed like any other code change

• Automatically published through CI/CD pipelines

It brings docs into the same workflow as development — no extra steps, no outdated files floating around.

Why Agile Teams Need It

Agile doesn’t ignore documentation — it just values the right kind of documentation: clear, current, and useful. Documentation as Code supports that by:

• Keeping docs close to the code they describe

• Making updates part of the development cycle

• Ensuring everyone is working from the same playbook

This helps teams avoid knowledge silos and confusion during rapid iteration.

One Source of Truth, Finally

Most teams struggle with scattered documentation — a Confluence page here, a PDF there, and a bunch of tribal knowledge stuck in someone’s head.

With DaC, documentation lives in the same place as the code. Everyone — developers, QA, product, and even stakeholders — can access the same, trusted version. No more duplications or discrepancies.

What Makes DaC So Effective

Version control for everything

Know exactly who made a change, when, and why. That traceability brings confidence.

Built-in review process

Docs are reviewed through pull requests, just like code. This keeps them accurate and aligned with product changes.

More ownership

When docs are part of the codebase, developers are more likely to update them. It becomes part of their workflow, not an extra task.

Automation-friendly

Use CI/CD to validate, build, and publish documentation — no manual effort, no last-minute surprises.

Easier collaboration

Whether it’s a developer, product owner, or technical writer, everyone can contribute using tools they already know.

Getting Started with DaC

You don’t have to go all in from day one. Here’s a simple path to adoption:

• Start by moving existing docs into your repo as Markdown files

• Use tools like Docusaurus, Hugo, or MkDocs for easy static site generation

• Add documentation checks to your pull request process

• Set up CI/CD to deploy your docs automatically

• Encourage your team to update docs alongside every code change

From Static Docs to Living Knowledge

At Verbat, we see Documentation as Code as an essential part of building and scaling modern software. It’s how we ensure our documentation evolves with our products — not after them.

DaC helps us deliver living documentation — always in sync with what’s being built, deployed, and used.

Final Thoughts

If you’re serious about agility, quality, and collaboration, Documentation as Code deserves a place in your workflow. It’s a simple idea that solves a complex problem: how to make documentation accurate, accessible, and actionable.

And when done right, it becomes more than just a best practice — it becomes a foundation for your team’s shared understanding.