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How I Successfully Set Up JSONPlaceholder API Documentation

· 2 min read
samuel-benson

Samuel Benson

Setting up clear and accessible API documentation is essential for any project. In this post, I’ll share how I built a developer-friendly documentation site for the JSONPlaceholder fake REST API using Docusaurus.

Why JSONPlaceholder?​

JSONPlaceholder is a free online REST API for testing and prototyping. It’s perfect for learning, demos, and frontend development because it doesn’t require authentication and supports typical CRUD operations.

Choosing Docusaurus​

I chose Docusaurus because it’s easy to use, supports Markdown and MDX, and has great features for organizing docs and blogs.

Steps to Set Up​

1. Initialize the Project​

I started by creating a new Docusaurus site:

npx create-docusaurus@latest writetech-accelerator-portfolio classic
cd writetech-accelerator-portfolio
npm install

2. Organize the Docs Structure​

I created folders for documentation tooling and API reference. Each endpoint got its own Markdown file, such as get-user.md and post.md.

3. Write Clear Guides​

I wrote a Getting Started guide that explains what JSONPlaceholder is, lists the documented endpoints, and provides example requests and responses. Tables and code blocks make everything easy to read.

4. Add Endpoint References​

Each endpoint page includes:

  • The HTTP method and URL
  • Required parameters and request body fields
  • Example requests in cURL, JavaScript, and Python
  • Example responses
  • Error handling information

5. Configure Sidebars​

I edited sidebars.js to organize the documentation into logical sections, making navigation simple for users.

6. Test Locally​

Running npm run start launched the local server so I could preview and refine the docs.

7. Push to GitHub​

I used Git to version control my work and pushed everything to GitHub for collaboration and backup.

Lessons Learned​

  • Keep it simple: JSONPlaceholder doesn’t need authentication, so the docs are straightforward.
  • Use tables and code samples: They make technical info much easier to digest.
  • Preview often: Testing locally helps catch errors early.

Conclusion​

With Docusaurus and a clear structure, setting up API documentation for JSONPlaceholder was smooth and rewarding.
If you’re building docs for your own API, I highly recommend this approach!

Check out the full documentation and try the endpoints yourself!