---
title: "Adding documentation"
manual: "TYPO3 Explained"
version: "12.4"
permalink: "https://docs.typo3.org/permalink/t3coreapi:extension-documentation-tools@12.4"
source: "ExtensionArchitecture/HowTo/Documentation.rst"
rendered: "2026-10-21T15:29:37+00:00"
---

> [!WARNING]
> **Attention**
>
> TYPO3 v12 has reached end-of-life as of April 30th 2026 and
> is no longer being maintained. Use the version switcher on the top
> left of this page to select documentation for a supported version of TYPO3.
>
> Need more time before upgrading?
> You can purchase Extended Long Term Support (ELTS) for TYPO3 v12 here:
> [TYPO3 ELTS](https://typo3.com/services/extended-support-elts).

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# Adding documentation {#extension-documentation-tools}

If you plan to upload your extension to the TYPO3 Extension Repository (TER),
you should first consider adding documentation to your extension. Documentation
helps users and administrators to install, configure and use your extension,
and decision makers to get a quick overview without having to install the
extension.

The TYPO3 documentation platform [https://docs.typo3.org](https://docs.typo3.org) centralizes documentation
for each project. It supports different types of documentation:

1.  The *full documentation*, stored in `EXT:{extkey}/Documentation/`.
1.  The *single file documentation*, such as a simple README file stored in
    `EXT:{extkey}/README.rst`.

We recommend the first approach for the following reasons:

-   **Output formats:** Full documentations can be automatically rendered as HTML
    or TYPO3-branded PDF.
-   **Cross-references:** It is easy to cross-reference to other chapters and
    sections of other manuals (either TYPO3 references or extension manuals).
    The links are automatically updated when pages or sections are moved.
-   **Many content elements:** The Sphinx template used for rendering the full
    documentation provides many useful content elements to improve the structure
    and look of your documentation.

For more details on both approaches see the [File structure](https://docs.typo3.org/m/typo3/docs-how-to-document/main/en-us/Reference/FileStructure.html#file-structure)
page and for more information on writing TYPO3 documentation in general, see the
[Writing documentation](https://docs.typo3.org/m/typo3/docs-how-to-document/main/en-us/Index.html#start) guide.