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java-docs

Ensure that Java types are documented with Javadoc comments and follow best practices for documentation.

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java-docs

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Use java-docs to add or improve Javadoc for the public and protected Java members in [Java files], including accurate parameter, return, and exception documentation.

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  • [Java files]

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SKILL.md

name: java-docsdescription: 'Ensure that Java types are documented with Javadoc comments and follow best practices for documentation.'

Java Documentation (Javadoc) Best Practices

Principles

  • Document only what the code actually does: read the implementation, callers and tests first. Never invent behaviour, thresholds, thread-safety, nullability or exceptions you have not verified; if unsure, leave it out or ask.
  • Keep the existing documentation style of the project (language, tag order, comment form /** */ vs ///). Do not rewrite existing comments, or mass-document a codebase, unless the user asks; limit changes to the requested scope.
  • Check the JDK level (maven.compiler.release, toolchain, java -version) before using newer features, and stay within it.

Conventions

  • @since only with the real version in which the API was introduced; @deprecated with a reason and replacement, together with @Deprecated.
  • @author and @version only if the project already uses them.
  • Code blocks, by JDK level:
    • Any JDK: <pre>{@code ... }</pre> (escape @ at line start, balance braces).
    • JDK 18+: {@snippet : ... } for inline code, or {@snippet file="Example.java" region="demo"} with files in snippet-files/ (preferred for examples; javadoc does not compile or validate the snippet source, so compile and test the files in a separate build/test source set if you need that guarantee). Use // @highlight substring="x" and // @replace markup as needed.
    • JDK 23+ only (JEP 467): Markdown doc comments with ///, using [Type#member] for links and fenced code blocks. Use them only if the project already does or the user asks, and the build runs a JDK 23+ javadoc.

Verify

  • Run mvn -q javadoc:javadoc (or ./gradlew javadoc) and for single files javadoc -Xdoclint:all -d target/javadoc-check <files>; fix every warning/error you introduced (missing @param, bad HTML, unresolved {@link}, unknown tags).
  • Report what was documented and the commands run; state any claims you could not verify from the code.