Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
General Questions#
Q: What is Docsbook?
A: Docsbook transforms your GitHub documentation into a beautiful site in 5 seconds. Just connect your GitHub repository and you're done!
Q: Do I need to pay to get started?
A: No! The free plan includes 1 repository, GitHub sync, and beautiful design. Premium ($29 one-time) adds a custom domain, translations, and more.
Q: What kind of repository do I need?
A: Any public GitHub repository with markdown files. This can include:
- README.md
- Project documentation
- Instructions
- API reference
- Any markdown files
Q: Are private GitHub repositories supported?
A: Currently only public ones. Private repos are planned for the future.
Q: Do I need to configure anything in GitHub?
A: No! Just connect your account via OAuth. Docsbook will get access to your public repos.
Usage#
Q: How do I update my documentation?
A: Just update the files in GitHub — the site syncs automatically.
- Edit the
.mdfile - Commit to GitHub
- Open the Docsbook site
- See the updates!
Q: How quickly does documentation update?
A: Very quickly, on your next visit:
- You visit the site
- Docsbook checks GitHub for new content
- Shows the latest version
Typically: instantly.
Q: Why hasn't my site updated?
A: Check:
- Is the commit actually in GitHub? (Check on github.com)
- Did you refresh the browser? (Ctrl+F5)
- Has 1-2 minutes passed?
- Is the file extension
.md?
Q: What folder structure should I use?
A: Any! We recommend:
repo/
├── README.md
├── docs/
│ ├── getting-started.md
│ ├── api/
│ └── guides/
But any other structure works too.
Q: Can I use .markdown instead of .md?
A: Yes, both extensions work.
Q: Do links between files work?
A: Yes! Use:
[Link](/docs/path/to/file)
[Link to folder](/docs/folder/file)They are automatically converted to proper URLs.
Q: What about images?
A: Put them in a folder (e.g., docs/images/) and reference them:
PNG, JPG, GIF, WebP are supported.
Q: Can I use HTML?
A: Markdown supports HTML, so yes:
<div>Regular HTML</div>But we recommend plain markdown.
Access & Security#
Q: Who can see my documentation?
A: Everyone on the internet! Your site is fully public.
- People without a GitHub account
- Search engine bots (Google, Bing)
- Anyone
This is expected — you want everyone to see your documentation.
Q: How does this relate to a private GitHub repo?
A: Even if a GitHub repo is private, documentation on Docsbook is open. That's the magic! 😊
(Private repos are not yet supported)
Q: Is my documentation secure?
A: Yes, HTTPS (SSL) and Vercel CDN are used.
Q: Can someone edit my documentation through Docsbook?
A: No, that's not possible. Editing can only be done in GitHub.
Q: Who sees the Float Widget (control buttons)?
A: Only you, when logged in. Other people see only the documentation.
Premium#
Q: What is Premium?
A: A one-time subscription ($29) with additional features:
- Unlimited repositories
- Custom domain
- Hide "Powered by Docsbook"
- Automatic translation
Q: How much does Premium cost?
A: $29 USD one-time, for life. The first 100 customers paid $19.
Q: How do I pay?
A: Click "Upgrade to Premium" in the Float Widget → enter your card in the Stripe form.
Accepted: Visa, Mastercard, AmEx, Apple Pay, Google Pay.
Q: Is payment secure?
A: Yes, 100%. Payments are processed by Stripe (a world leader). Docsbook never sees your card number.
Q: Is there a refund?
A: Yes, full refund within the first 30 days. Contact support@docsbook.io.
Q: Will the price increase?
A: No, $29 is the permanent price. You pay once.
Q: Can I buy Premium for multiple workspaces?
A: Yes, but you need to buy it for each one separately. It's affordable ($29 per workspace).
Q: Are there discounts for organizations?
A: Contact support@docsbook.io for special arrangements.
Domains#
Q: How do I use my own domain?
A: Premium feature. Guide: Custom Domain Setup
TL;DR:
- Enter domain in Settings
- Update DNS (add CNAME)
- Wait 30 minutes
- Done!
Q: Which is better: root domain or subdomain?
A: We recommend a subdomain:
✅ docs.example.com (recommended)
✅ example.com (also works)
✅ guide.example.com (multiple can be used)
Q: Do I need SSL (HTTPS)?
A: Docsbook sets it up automatically via Let's Encrypt. Free and no action required on your part.
Q: How long does DNS propagation take?
A: Usually 15-30 minutes, up to 48 hours maximum.
Translations#
Q: How do I translate documentation?
A: Premium feature. Guide: Translations
TL;DR:
- Open Settings
- Select languages
- Click Save
- Docsbook translates in minutes
Q: What languages are supported?
A: 100+, including:
- Spanish, French, German
- Russian, Chinese, Japanese
- Arabic, Korean, Thai
- And many more
Q: How good is AI translation?
A: Good for technical documentation. May need editing for idioms and cultural references.
Q: Will translations update when I update docs?
A: Yes, automatically.
Q: Can I edit translations?
A: Yes, you can download and edit manually. Contact support@docsbook.io.
Support & Issues#
Q: How do I contact support?
A: Email: support@docsbook.io
Premium customers get priority.
Q: Is there Docsbook documentation?
A: Yes, you're reading it! See the other sections.
Q: What should I do if something is broken?
A: Write to support@docsbook.io with a description of the issue.
Q: Is there a status page?
A: Coming soon. Follow on twitter.com/docsbook.
Technical Questions#
Q: What is Docsbook built with?
A: Next.js, React, Vercel, Stripe, GitHub API.
Q: Where is data stored?
A: On Vercel (servers in the US and other countries) and Neon Postgres.
Q: What markdown parser is used?
A: Remark + Rehype. GitHub Flavored Markdown (GFM) is supported.
Q: Does site search work?
A: Built-in search is coming soon. For now use browser search (Ctrl+F).
Q: Is there a dark theme?
A: Coming soon. Currently only the light theme is available.
Q: How many concurrent visitors can it handle?
A: Vercel scales automatically. Don't worry about load.
Legal#
Q: Is there a Terms of Service?
A: Yes, see Terms (coming soon).
Q: What about a Privacy Policy?
A: Yes, see Privacy (coming soon).
Q: What if I violate the rules?
A: We'll reach out to you. Usually we give a chance to fix things.
Don't see an answer to your question?#
Write to support@docsbook.io — we're happy to help! 😊
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