Git & GitHub for Technical Writers¶
Most technical writers are told to "just use GitHub" without being shown how it actually works. This series is the explanation nobody gave you.
It is a six-part Docs-as-Code series written specifically for technical writers, in plain language, without assuming any prior experience with Git, the command line, or software development workflows.
If you are working in a team that uses Git and feeling like the only person in the room who does not understand what is happening — this is where to start.
Who this series is for¶
This series is written for technical writers who are:
- Entering a Docs-as-Code environment for the first time and need a practical foundation, not a theory lecture.
- Transitioning from traditional publishing tools like Word, Confluence, or Google Docs into Git-based workflows.
- Already using GitHub but doing so by feel, without understanding what the commands actually do or why they work.
No prior experience with Git, GitHub, or the command line is assumed. Every concept is explained before it is used.
What you will be able to do¶
By the end of this series you will be able to:
- Use Git to track, version, and manage documentation files with confidence.
- Work inside a GitHub repository as part of an engineering team workflow.
- Open, review, and merge Pull Requests for documentation changes.
- Understand how CI/CD pipelines automate documentation deployment.
- Structure a documentation repository that scales as the product grows.
The series¶
| Part | Title | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Intro | Introduction | Why Git and GitHub matter for technical writers and what changes when you adopt them |
| 1 | Git Basics | What Git is, how it tracks files, and the commands you will use every day |
| 2 | Git vs GitHub | The difference between the local tool and the platform, and how they work together |
| 3 | Managing Versions | Branches, commits, and how version control replaces "save as final v3" |
| 4 | Pull Requests | How documentation changes get reviewed, approved, and merged into the source of truth |
| 5 | CI/CD for Technical Writers | How automation handles deployment so documentation goes live without manual steps |
| 6 | Documentation Architecture | How to structure a Docs-as-Code repository for a team that will grow |
How to use this series¶
Each part builds on the previous one. If you are new to Git entirely, start with the Introduction and work through in order.
If you have some Git experience and want to fill a specific gap, each part is written to stand on its own. Land anywhere and you will have what you need to follow along.
Start with the Introduction or jump straight to Part 1: Git Basics if you are ready to begin.
About the author¶
Written by Douglas Ebhoman, a technical writer based in Prague who builds documentation systems for DevTools and SaaS companies. This series is part of a broader body of work on Docs-as-Code, information architecture, and the thinking behind documentation that scales.