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After years in blockchain and automation, I’ve realized most dev docs assume the reader has 4+ years of coding experience. But today, AI and no-code developers are engaging with APIs more than ever—and when they hit these docs, they bounce.
So today, I’m going to reveal:
How dense, complex docs are killing adoption.
Why companies keep writing docs this way.
A simple way to fix it—without dumbing things down.
It assumes prior knowledge.
And I see this constantly—APIs, blockchain protocols, SaaS tools—all with documentation that assumes the user already knows how everything fits together.
So let me tell you a quick story.
I was trying to integrate an iframe into a tax and accounting software. I followed the docs exactly—but it failed. Why?
A missing note about authentication—buried in a different section.
And this happens constantly. Docs assume prior knowledge, leaving no-code, AI-assisted, and automation builders searching YouTube, ChatGPT, and forums just to make sense of things.
Because they assume their audience is experienced.
Yet, when you look at the biggest YouTube coding tutorials—they’re NOT about advanced techniques.
They’re about AI, automation, and no-code tools.
That tells us something.
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The audience has changed. More builders than ever are engaging with APIs, smart contracts, and automation tools—without being traditional developers.
But dev docs? They still assume:
You already understand the framework.
You don’t need visuals.
Dense text is enough.
That’s insane.
Let’s break it down into a 3-step framework:
Step 1: Clear Explanations – Don’t assume the reader already knows “X” before explaining “Y.” Define concepts first.
Step 2: Step-by-Step Visuals – A simple diagram showing how data flows, what a module looks like, or how a smart contract functions eliminates 90% of confusion.
Step 3: Contextual Callouts – Tiny notes like “What is X?” save users from stopping and searching.
Until companies figure this out, here’s what I do:
1️⃣ ChatGPT – AI Explainer
Use it to break dense docs into key points.
Example prompt: “Summarize this in 3-4 key points with a simple analogy.”
2️⃣ Napkin AI – Auto-Generated Visuals
Paste ChatGPT’s breakdown.
Highlight key points → auto-generate flowcharts, system diagrams, etc.
Adjust for clarity.
This combo saves hours.
Next time you struggle with dev docs, turn them into visuals first. You’ll process the info 10x faster.
But here’s the real question—should developer docs prioritize visuals over text?
Well, it depends on your goal.
If adoption and usability matter, then the answer is obvious.
Continue reading below to see an example of how we rewrite complex dev docs for clarity.
"Hey friend! (be nice to the ai) I have a dense document (or codebase) that I need help visualizing and structuring for Napkin AI. Can you break it down into # key technical points and provide detailed visual representations for each?"
For each key point, include:
Technical Explanation: What this section of the doc/code is doing.
Key Technical Details: Variables, functions, cryptographic elements, system interactions.
Visualization Breakdown:
Step-by-step process.
Relationships, dependencies, data flows.
Component interactions.
Notable edge cases.
Suggested Visualization Type: Flowchart, sequence diagram, system model, etc.
Sixth Grader-Friendly Analogy: A real-world comparison that simplifies the concept.
Or another:
“Turn this paper/dense document/paper abstract into 3-4 key point. Insert text.”
The catch? ChatGPT’s visuals aren’t great. That’s where Napkin AI comes in.
Napkin AI transforms long-winded explanations into structured diagrams, flowcharts, and process maps—in seconds.
Process diagrams
Entity-relationship models
Decision trees
And best of all? It’s free during beta.
Take the ChatGPT breakdown and paste it into Napkin AI.
Highlight the key points and click the blue lightning bolt for automatic diagram suggestions.
Choose the best-fit visualization—flowchart, sequence diagram, or system model.
If the AI-generated version doesn’t make sense, refine it manually.
Download your image and put it in the docs.
Even though it’s not perfect, Napkin AI has been the best tool I’ve found for quickly translating complex docs into visuals.
Use ChatGPT to Extract Key Points
Prompt: "Turn this dense document/paper abstract into 3-4 key points. Include technical explanations, key details, and a suggested visualization for each."
Insert the document or relevant text for processing.
Copy the Output from ChatGPT
Review the key points and ensure they align with what you need.
If necessary, refine the output by asking ChatGPT to simplify or clarify specific sections.
Paste the Output into Napkin.ai
Select a Suitable Diagram
Choose from the available visualization options:
Flowchart for step-by-step processes.
Entity-Relationship Diagram for database or system structure.
Decision Tree for if/then logic and pathways.
Some diagrams may not make sense—experiment with different formats if needed.
Refine and Adjust as Needed
If the AI-generated visualization is unclear, manually tweak it for better readability.
Ideally, a developer team could refine these visuals further to make them more accessible.
The goal is not perfection but clarity—find the version that best helps you process and understand the concept.
Whatever you do, keep it limited to 3-4 bullets for what you’re trying to convey, do not paste in the total article and try to visualize. Visualize only in segments.
Whether you’re a developer, no-code automation builder, or blockchain enthusiast, visuals make learning 10x faster.
If more documentation included clear diagrams and structured explanations, onboarding would be so much easier.
Until that happens? Napkin AI + Chat GPT could be the best shortcut.
Try it out next time you’re stuck on developer docs / developer research —turn them into visual diagrams first. You’ll process the information way faster.
Or maybe I’m just overcomplicating things. Either way, at least I understand this stuff now and can actually build with it.
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