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When building complex CI/CD pipelines with GitHub Actions, clear and accessible documentation is essential for maintainability and collaboration. Use this guide to standardize your approach, whether you prefer GitHub Wikis or Markdown files in a centralized repository.
Well-documented workflows reduce onboarding time, improve reproducibility, and ensure your team follows consistent practices. For more details, see GitHub Actions Documentation.

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Documentation Methods

Select the method that best fits your organization’s needs:
The image shows a GitHub Docs page about wikis, explaining how to host documentation for repositories and who can use this feature. It includes navigation links on the left and detailed information on the right.

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1. GitHub Wiki

Every repository on GitHub.com includes a Wiki, perfect for:
  • Long-form guides (design decisions, architecture overviews)
  • Collaboration on process and standards
  • Versioned, sidebar-organized content

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2. Markdown Files in Repositories

Store documentation as Markdown directly in your repos:
  • README.md for repo-level overviews
  • Dedicated .github repository for organization-wide standards

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Using an Organization Profile README

Organizational profiles can display a custom README to highlight key workflows and standards.
The image is a screenshot from a GitHub blog post explaining how organizations can display a README.md on their profile overview. It includes instructions on creating a repository and adding a profile folder.

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Step 1: Create or Open the .github Repository

Navigate to your organization and open (or create) the .github repository.
The image shows a GitHub organization page for "kodekloud-training-organization," displaying an overview with options to invite members and customize permissions. It also includes navigation tabs for repositories, projects, and other settings.

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Step 2: Add the profile/README.md

  1. In .github, create a folder named profile.
  2. Inside profile, add README.md with your documentation.
The image shows a GitHub repository page for "kodekloud-training-organization/.github" with files and options for code management. It includes a README section and a prompt to add a README file.
Example profile/README.md: 
Welcome to the KodeKloud Organization NodeJS CI starter workflow.

## Overview
Provides a starter CI workflow tailored for NodeJS projects.

## Categories
- NPM Config
Commit your changes to apply.

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Step 3: Verify on Your Organization Profile

Return to your organization’s main page to see the new README displayed.
The image shows a code editor with a README.md file open, displaying text about GitHub Actions, project structure, and best practices for documentation. The interface includes tabs and a source control panel.
The image shows a GitHub repository page for "kodekloud-training-organization" with a logo and a README file providing an overview of GitHub Actions and project structure.
Treat your documentation as code: review and update it alongside workflow changes to prevent drift.

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Key Documentation Elements

Ensure your documentation covers the following:
ResourceDescription
Naming ConventionsStandardize repository and folder names
Workflow LocationsSpecify directories for reusable actions and jobs
Approved ActionsList verified Marketplace or custom actions
Maintenance PlansDefine update frequency and ownership
By following these guidelines, you can maintain clear, consistent, and SEO-friendly documentation for your GitHub Actions workflows.

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