Docstring Generator

What I do

I generate language-specific docstrings and documentation following industry standards:

1. Detect Language: Analyze file extension and project structure to determine language
2. Detect Docstring Style: Identify existing docstring conventions in codebase
3. Generate Docstrings: Create appropriate docstrings following language conventions
4. Support Multiple Formats:
   • Python: PEP 257 (Google, NumPy, Sphinx/reST styles)
   • Java: Javadoc format with @param, @return, @throws
   • TypeScript: JSDoc/TSDoc format with @param, @returns, @throws
   • C#: XML documentation comments with , , ,
5. Handle Various Types: Functions, methods, classes, interfaces, properties, exceptions
6. Enforce Documentation: Ensure docstrings are added during PR workflow

When to use me

Use this workflow when:

• Implementing new functions, classes, or methods in Python, Java, TypeScript, or C#
• Refactoring code and updating documentation
• Creating new APIs or public interfaces
• Following documentation best practices and industry standards
• Need to ensure all public code has proper docstrings
• Preparing code for code review and maintainability

Integration: This skill integrates with pr-creation-workflow and linting-workflow to enforce docstring presence as part of quality checks.

Prerequisites

• Source code files (.py, .java, .ts, .tsx, .cs, .csx)
• File permissions to read and write files
• Knowledge of preferred docstring style (optional, can auto-detect)
• For workflow integration: Git repository initialized

Supported Languages and Standards

Python

Standard: PEP 257 compliant Supported Styles:

• Google Style (recommended for most projects)
• NumPy Style (for scientific computing)
• Sphinx/reST Style (for documentation generation)

Features:

• Type hints support (Python 3.5+)
• Exception documentation with Raises section
• Parameter documentation with Args section
• Return value documentation with Returns section
• Example code blocks in docstrings

Java

Standard: Javadoc Supported Tags:

• @param - Parameter documentation
• @return / @returns - Return value documentation
• @throws - Exception documentation
• @see - Related references
• @author - Author information
• @version - Version information
• @since - Since version
• @deprecated - Deprecation notice
• @link - Link to related code

Features:

• Generic type parameters
• Method overload documentation
• Interface documentation
• Annotation documentation
• Inheritance documentation

TypeScript

Standard: JSDoc / TSDoc Supported Tags:

• @param - Parameter documentation
• @returns / @return - Return value documentation
• @throws - Exception documentation
• @type - Type definitions
• @example - Usage examples
• @see - Related references
• @deprecated - Deprecation notice
• @interface - Interface documentation
• @extends - Inheritance documentation

Features:

• Generic type parameters
• Union types documentation
• Optional parameters
• Interface and class documentation
• Module documentation

C#

Standard: XML Documentation Comments Supported Tags:

• <summary> - Brief description
• <param name=""> - Parameter documentation
• <returns> - Return value documentation
• <exception cref=""> - Exception documentation
• <typeparam> - Generic type parameter documentation
• <remarks> - Additional remarks
• <example> - Code examples
• <seealso> - Related references

Features:

• Generic type parameters
• Method overload documentation
• Property documentation
• Event handler documentation
• XML attribute escaping

Steps

Step 1: Detect Language

Analyze file to determine programming language:

# Check file extension
case "$file_ext" in
    py)    LANG="python" ;;
    java)   LANG="java" ;;
    ts|tsx) LANG="typescript" ;;
    cs|csx) LANG="csharp" ;;
    *)      LANG="unknown" ;;
esac

echo "Detected language: $LANG"

Step 2: Detect Docstring Style

Analyze existing docstrings in codebase to maintain consistency:

# Python style detection
if grep -q '"""' file.py; then
    if grep -q 'Args:' file.py; then
        STYLE="google"
    elif grep -q 'Parameters' file.py; then
        STYLE="numpy"
    elif grep -q ':param' file.py; then
        STYLE="sphinx"
    fi
fi

echo "Detected docstring style: $STYLE"

Step 3: Analyze Function/Method

Extract function signature and determine docstring needs:

# Extract function/method signature
if [[ "$LANG" == "python" ]]; then
    # Python function
    FUNCTION=$(grep -A 5 'def ' file.py | head -1)
elif [[ "$LANG" == "java" ]]; then
    # Java method
    METHOD=$(grep -B 2 'public.*(' file.java | head -1)
fi

echo "Function to document: $FUNCTION"

Step 4: Generate Docstring

Generate appropriate docstring based on language and style:

Python (Google Style)

def calculate_sum(a: int, b: int) -> int:
    """Calculate the sum of two integers.

    Args:
        a: The first integer to add.
        b: The second integer to add.

    Returns:
        The sum of a and b.

    Raises:
        TypeError: If either a or b is not an integer.

    Examples:
        >>> calculate_sum(5, 3)
        8
    """
    return a + b

Java (Javadoc)

/**
 * Calculates the sum of two integers.
 *
 * @param a The first integer to add
 * @param b The second integer to add
 * @return The sum of a and b
 * @throws IllegalArgumentException If either a or b is not an integer
 *
 * @see #calculateProduct(int, int)
 * @since 1.0
 * @author Developer Name
 */
public int calculateSum(int a, int b) {
    return a + b;
}

TypeScript (JSDoc)

/**
 * Calculates the sum of two integers.
 *
 * @param a - The first integer to add
 * @param b - The second integer to add
 * @returns The sum of a and b
 * @throws {TypeError} If either a or b is not an integer
 *
 * @example
 * ```typescript
 * const result = calculateSum(5, 3); // returns 8
 * ```
 *
 * @see calculateProduct
 * @since 1.0.0
 */
function calculateSum(a: number, b: number): number {
    return a + b;
}

C# (XML Documentation)

/// <summary>
/// Calculates the sum of two integers.
/// </summary>
/// <param name="a">The first integer to add</param>
/// <param name="b">The second integer to add</param>
/// <returns>The sum of a and b</returns>
/// <exception cref="System.ArgumentException">
/// Thrown when either a or b is not an integer
/// </exception>
/// <example>
/// <code>
/// int result = CalculateSum(5, 3); // returns 8
/// </code>
/// </example>
/// <seealso cref="CalculateProduct"/>
public int CalculateSum(int a, int b) {
    return a + b;
}

Step 5: Update File

Insert docstring into the correct location in the file:

# Find function/method start line
LINE_NUM=$(grep -n "^def\|^public.*(" "$FILE" | head -1 | cut -d: -f1)

# Insert docstring after signature (line + 1)
sed -i "$((LINE_NUM+1))i\\$DOCSTRING" "$FILE"

Docstring Format Reference

Python Styles

Google Style (Recommended)

def function_name(param1: type, param2: type) -> return_type:
    """
    Brief one-line description.

    Longer description of function's purpose and behavior.

    Args:
        param1: Description of param1 with its type.
        param2: Description of param2 with its type.

    Returns:
        Description of return value and its type.

    Raises:
        ErrorType: Condition when error is raised.

    Examples:
        >>> function_name(arg1, arg2)
        Expected output
    """

NumPy Style

def function_name(param1, param2):
    """
    Brief description.

    Extended description.

    Parameters
    ----------
    param1 : type
        Description of param1.
    param2 : type
        Description of param2.

    Returns
    -------
    return_type
        Description of return value.

    Raises
    ------
    ErrorType
        Condition when error is raised.

    See Also
    --------
    related_function
    """

Sphinx/reST Style

def function_name(param1, param2):
    """
    Brief description.

    Extended description.

    :param param1: Description of param1.
    :type param1: type
    :param param2: Description of param2.
    :type param2: type
    :returns: Description of return value.
    :rtype: return_type
    :raises ErrorType: Condition when error is raised.
    :see: related_function
    """

Java Javadoc Tags

/**
 * Brief description on first line.
 *
 * Extended description with details.
 *
 * @param paramName Description of parameter
 * @param paramName2 Description of second parameter
 * @return Description of return value
 * @throws ExceptionType Description of when exception is thrown
 * @see RelatedClass#relatedMethod
 * @see #relatedMethod(int, int)
 * @since 1.0
 * @author Author Name
 * @version 1.1
 * @deprecated Use newMethod instead
 * @link https://example.com Related documentation
 */

TypeScript JSDoc Tags

/**
 * Brief description.
 *
 * Extended description.
 *
 * @param paramName - Description of parameter
 * @param paramName2 - Description of second parameter
 * @returns Description of return value
 * @throws {ErrorType} Description of when error is thrown
 * @type TypeName - Type definition
 * @extends ParentType - Inheritance
 * @implements InterfaceName - Interface implementation
 * @example
 * ```typescript
 * const result = functionName(arg1, arg2);
 * ```
 * @see RelatedClass#relatedMethod
 * @since 1.0.0
 * @deprecated Use newFunction instead
 * @see relatedFunction
 */

C# XML Tags

/// <summary>
/// Brief description.
/// </summary>
/// <remarks>
/// Extended description with details.
/// </remarks>
/// <param name="paramName">Description of parameter</param>
/// <param name="paramName2">Description of second parameter</param>
/// <returns>Description of return value</returns>
/// <exception cref="System.Exception">
/// Description of when exception is thrown
/// </exception>
/// <typeparam name="T">Generic type parameter</typeparam>
/// <example>
/// <code>
/// var result = FunctionName(arg1, arg2);
/// </code>
/// </example>
/// <seealso cref="RelatedClass.RelatedMethod"/>
/// <permission cref="System.Security.Permissions">
/// Required permissions
/// </permission>

Special Cases

Generics

Java

/**
 * Processes a list of items.
 *
 * @param <T> The type of items in the list
 * @param items List of items to process
 * @return Processed list of items
 */
public <T> List<T> processItems(List<T> items) {
    // Implementation
}

TypeScript

/**
 * Processes a list of items.
 *
 * @type T - The type of items in the list
 * @param items - List of items to process
 * @returns Processed list of items
 */
function processItems<T>(items: T[]): T[] {
    // Implementation
}

C#

/// <summary>
/// Processes a list of items.
/// </summary>
/// <typeparam name="T">The type of items in the list</typeparam>
/// <param name="items">List of items to process</param>
/// <returns>Processed list of items</returns>
public List<T> ProcessItems<T>(List<T> items) {
    // Implementation
}

Method Overloads

Java

/**
 * Calculates the sum.
 *
 * @param a First integer
 * @param b Second integer
 * @return Sum of two integers
 */
public int calculateSum(int a, int b) {
    return a + b;
}

/**
 * Calculates the sum of three integers.
 *
 * @param a First integer
 * @param b Second integer
 * @param c Third integer
 * @return Sum of three integers
 */
public int calculateSum(int a, int b, int c) {
    return a + b + c;
}

C#

/// <summary>
/// Calculates the sum.
/// </summary>
/// <param name="a">First integer</param>
/// <param name="b">Second integer</param>
/// <returns>Sum of two integers</returns>
public int CalculateSum(int a, int b) {
    return a + b;
}

/// <summary>
/// Calculates the sum of three integers.
/// </summary>
/// <param name="a">First integer</param>
/// <param name="b">Second integer</param>
/// <param name="c">Third integer</param>
/// <returns>Sum of three integers</returns>
public int CalculateSum(int a, int b, int c) {
    return a + b + c;
}

Type Hints

Python (3.5+)

def process_data(
    data: list[dict[str, Any]],
    options: dict[str, Any] | None = None
) -> dict[str, list[Any]]:
    """
    Process data with optional configuration.

    Args:
        data: List of dictionaries containing data entries.
        options: Optional dictionary of configuration options.

    Returns:
        Dictionary with processed data organized by category.
    """
    # Implementation

TypeScript

/**
 * Process data with optional configuration.
 *
 * @type DataItem - Type of items in data array
 * @param data - Array of data items to process
 * @param options - Optional configuration object
 * @returns Processed data organized by category
 */
function processData<DataItem>(
    data: DataItem[],
    options?: Record<string, unknown>
): Record<string, DataItem[]> {
    // Implementation
}

Best Practices

General

• Document all public APIs: Functions, classes, methods, properties
• Use clear language: Write as if explaining to another developer
• Keep descriptions concise: Be thorough but not overly verbose
• Follow existing style: Maintain consistency with codebase conventions
• Include examples: Show typical usage patterns
• Document edge cases: What happens with null, empty, invalid inputs?
• Update docstrings: Keep them in sync with code changes
• Document exceptions: Clearly state what exceptions can be raised/thrown

Python-Specific

• Use triple quotes (""") for docstrings
• Place docstring immediately after function/class definition
• Include type hints in function signatures
• Use Google style by default (most popular)
• Document all parameters, even optional ones
• Include type information in Args/Returns sections

Java-Specific

• Use /** ... */ format for Javadoc
• Place docstring immediately before method/class
• Document all @param tags (one per parameter)
• Use @return for simple types, @returns for complex types
• Include @throws for all checked exceptions
• Document generics with <T> notation
• Add @see for related methods

TypeScript-Specific

• Use /** ... */ format for JSDoc
• Place docstring immediately before function/class
• Include type information in @param tags
• Use @throws with {Type} for type safety
• Document exported members
• Include @example blocks for usage
• Document generic type parameters with @type

C#-Specific

• Use /// for single-line XML comments
• Use /** ... */ for multi-line XML comments
• Place docstring immediately before element
• Use XML tags for structured documentation
• Escape special characters in XML (e.g., < becomes <)
• Document generics with
• Include for extended descriptions

Common Issues

Python: Indentation Errors

Issue: Docstring indentation doesn't match code indentation

Solution: Use consistent indentation (4 spaces preferred)

def function():
    """Docstring at same indent as code."""
    pass

Java: Missing @param Tags

Issue: Javadoc warnings about missing parameter documentation

Solution: Document all parameters, even if obvious

/**
 * Method description.
 *
 * @param x First parameter
 * @param y Second parameter  <-- Often forgotten
 */
public void method(int x, int y) {
}

TypeScript: Missing Type in @throws

Issue: Type safety lost without exception type

Solution: Always include type in @throws

/**
 * Method description.
 *
 * @throws {Error} When something goes wrong  <-- Good
 */

C#: XML Escaping Issues

Issue: Special characters break XML documentation

Solution: Use HTML entities or CDATA sections

/// <summary>
/// Method with <special> characters  <-- Bad
/// </summary>

/// <summary>
/// Method with &lt;special&gt; characters  <-- Good
/// </summary>

Workflow Integration

PR Creation

Check for missing docstrings during PR creation:

# Find undocumented functions/methdos
for file in $(git diff --name-only); do
    case "$file" in
        *.py)    UNDOC=$(grep -c 'def ' "$file") \
                    - $(grep -c '"""' "$file") ;;
        *.java)   UNDOC=$(grep -c 'public.*(' "$file") \
                    - $(grep -c '/\*\*' "$file") ;;
        *.ts)     UNDOC=$(grep -c 'function' "$file") \
                    - $(grep -c '/\*\*' "$file") ;;
        *.cs)     UNDOC=$(grep -c 'public.*(' "$file") \
                    - $(grep -c '///' "$file") ;;
    esac

    if [[ $UNDOC -gt 0 ]]; then
        echo "Found $UNDOC undocumented items in $file"
    fi
done

Linting Integration

Add docstring validation to linters:

Python:

# Use pydocstyle for style checking
pydocstyle file.py

Java:

# Use Checkstyle for Javadoc validation
checkstyle -c checkstyle_javadoc.xml file.java

TypeScript:

# Use TSDoc linter
tslint --doc file.ts

Code Review Checklist

• All public functions have docstrings
• All public classes have docstrings
• All parameters are documented
• Return values are documented
• Exceptions are documented
• Docstrings follow language conventions
• Docstrings are accurate and up-to-date

Troubleshooting Checklist

Before generating docstrings:

• Language is correctly detected
• File extension is recognized
• Docstring style is determined
• Existing style in codebase is detected

After generating docstrings:

• Docstrings are inserted at correct location
• Docstrings follow language conventions
• All parameters are documented
• Return values are documented
• Exceptions are documented
• Examples are included (if applicable)
• Docstrings are formatted correctly

Converted and distributed by TomeVault — claim your Tome and manage your conversions.