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Quick start

This tutorial walks you from installing the CLI to deploying a DevDocify site. It takes about ten minutes.

What you'll build​

A new documentation site running locally, with content validation and broken-link checks passing, ready to deploy to Vercel.

Prerequisites​

  • Node.js 20.17.0 or later (includes npm)
  • A GitHub account (for deployment)
  • A Vercel account (for deployment)

Step 1: Install the CLI​

From the root of the doc-platform repository, link the CLI globally:

cd packages/cli && npm install && npm link

Confirm that it's available:

docify --version

Step 2: Create a project​

Navigate to the directory where you want your project, then scaffold it:

cd ~
docify new my-docs

Change into the new directory and install dependencies:

cd my-docs
npm install

Step 3: Start the dev server​

docify dev

Or without the CLI: npm start.

Open http://localhost:3000 in your browser. Your new docs site appears.

Edit docs/index.md and save. The browser reloads automatically.

When you're done, press Ctrl+C to stop the dev server.

Step 4: Validate content​

Run the content linter to catch common issues before you build:

docify validate

Or without the CLI: npm run lint-content.

The scaffolded project includes a placeholder lint-content script. Replace it with a real linter when you are ready.

Build the site and check every internal link:

docify broken-links

Without the CLI, npm run build catches broken links because the scaffolded config sets onBrokenLinks: 'throw'. Fix any broken links reported before continuing.

Step 6: Build and deploy​

Build a production bundle:

docify build

Or without the CLI: npm run build.

Deploy to Vercel:

  1. Push your project to a GitHub repository.
  2. Log in to vercel.com and click Add New Project.
  3. Import your GitHub repository.
  4. Set the following in Vercel project settings:
SettingValue
Build commandnpm run build
Output directorybuild
Install commandnpm install
  1. Click Deploy.

Vercel runs a build on every push to main and creates preview deployments for every pull request.

What's next​