GhostDoc is a Visual Studio extension designed to automate the generation of XML documentation comments directly from source code, using customizable templates. It streamlines the process of maintaining clean, up-to-date documentation and enables the production of help files in multiple formats, reducing manual effort for .NET developers.

Key Features

Automated XML Comment Generation Creates XML documentation comments for methods, classes, and types with a single keystroke.

• Reduces manual documentation effort.
• Ensures consistency and completeness in code comments.

Customizable Templates Uses flexible, StyleCop-compliant templates for generating documentation.

• Adapts to project or team standards.
• Supports library-based template management.

WYSIWYG Documentation Editor Allows editing documentation in a visual editor, with changes persisted to XML in code.

• Immediate preview of formatted comments.
• Reduces formatting errors and improves readability.

Help File Generation Produces compiled help files (CHM, HTML, and others) as part of the build process.

• Integrates documentation into CI/CD pipelines.
• Supports multiple output formats and themes.

Documentation Maintenance Detects code changes and updates affected documentation automatically.

• Maintains documentation accuracy as code evolves.
• Minimizes outdated or missing comments.

Spell Checker Built-in intelligent spell checker for source code documentation.

• Reduces spelling errors in published documentation.
• Supports additional language dictionaries.

Enterprise Features (Enterprise Edition) Includes command-line integration, custom content, silent deployment, and priority support.

• Enables large-team and automated deployment scenarios.
• Customizes documentation themes and layouts.

Benefits

Increased Productivity Automates repetitive documentation tasks, saving developer time.

• One-click documentation creation.
• Focus on code quality rather than manual documentation.

Improved Documentation Quality Ensures documentation is consistent, up-to-date, and well-formatted.

• Reduces risk of missing or outdated comments.
• Enhances code maintainability and onboarding.

Seamless Integration with Development Workflow Fits naturally into Visual Studio and build processes.

• Supports CI/CD and unattended deployment (Enterprise).
• No separate documentation process required