What's your process for documenting System Administration tasks with Git or Markdown?

1 Why Git and Markdown?

Git and Markdown are two popular tools that can help you document your system administration tasks. Git is a version control system that lets you track changes, collaborate with others, and backup your files. Markdown is a lightweight markup language that lets you format your text with simple syntax. Together, they allow you to create and maintain documentation that is easy to read, write, and update.

2 How to set up your documentation repository

The first step in documenting your system administration tasks with Git and Markdown is to set up your documentation repository. A repository is a folder that contains your files and Git history. You can create a repository on your local machine, or use a remote service like GitHub or GitLab. To create a repository, you need to initialize Git in your folder with the command git init . Then, you need to add and commit your files with the commands git add and git commit . You can also push your files to a remote repository with the command git push .

3 How to structure your documentation files

The next step in documenting your system administration tasks with Git and Markdown is to structure your documentation files. You can use different folders and files to organize your topics and subtopics. For example, you can have a folder for each system or service that you manage, and a file for each task or procedure that you document. You can also use a README file to provide an overview of your documentation and a table of contents. You can use Markdown headings, lists, links, and other elements to format your files and make them easy to navigate.

4 How to write your documentation content

The third step in documenting your system administration tasks with Git and Markdown is to write your documentation content. You can use any text editor or IDE that supports Markdown syntax to write your files. You can also use online tools like Dillinger or StackEdit to preview and edit your files. You should write your content in a clear, concise, and consistent way. You should also use code blocks, screenshots, diagrams, and examples to illustrate your steps and commands. You should avoid jargon, slang, and abbreviations that might confuse your readers.

5 How to update and maintain your documentation

The final step in documenting your system administration tasks with Git and Markdown is to update and maintain your documentation. You should review your documentation regularly and make sure it reflects the current state of your systems and tasks. You should also use Git commands to track, commit, and push your changes to your repository. You can also use Git branches, tags, and merges to manage different versions and features of your documentation. You can also use Git tools like diff, log, and blame to compare, review, and audit your changes.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?