Installation guide
Last modified: 30 November 2024tip
If you need more information about how to fill in this template, read the accompanying guide.
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This template includes writing instructions and boilerplate text that you can customize, use as-is, or completely replace with your own text. This text is indicated in {(curly brackets)}. Make sure you replace the placeholders with your own text.
Introduction
{(The installation guide template includes information on writing procedures for successfully installing {product name)}. {(Insert your preferred description of the installation process.)}
{(Optional: Add a demo GIF that shows what the installed project would look like or link to a sandbox or playground to test out the product and explore its features.)}
Installation types
This guide explains the steps and instructions required to install {(product name)} on supported operating systems. It also explains how to configure, start, and uninstall {(product name)}}.
{Include a table to capture the different installation types, such as:
Supported operating systems
The type of product installed (if provided in different versions, such as Main and Lite version)
Cloud providers, such as CodeSpaces, CodeSandBox, GitPod, etc.,) including a link to the right heading for all options.}
Type | Description | More information |
|---|---|---|
{(Name of installation type)} | {(Description of installation type)} | {(Link to the relevant installation steps section)} |
{(Name of installation type)} | {(Description of installation type)} | {(Link to the relevant installation steps section)} |
Overview
{(This section is optional.)}
{(Add a list of the available project versions, link to the installation guide for that version, and highlight the latest, beta, or stable version as listed in the following table:)}
Version | Build | Release Date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
V {(versionNumber)} | {(versionNumber release)} | {(dd/mm/yyyy)} | {(Latest)} |
V {(versionNumber)} | {(versionNumber release)} | {(dd/mm/yyyy)} | {(Beta)} |
V {(versionNumber)} | {(versionNumber release)} | {(dd/mm/yyyy)} | {(Stable)} |
{(Explain the intended result of the installation, such as the commands, command aliases, major flags, available plugins, files downloaded, or application programs.)}
{(Add a sequential end-to-end summary of the installation process that can serve as a quick link or reference section for users as listed in the following table:)}
Process | More information | |
|---|---|---|
1. | Before installing, check the system requirements to ensure your computer is supported in the latest version of {(product name)}. | {(Link to relevant documents)} |
2. | Check the system prerequisites to install all the required {(software, dependencies, tools.)}. | {(Link to relevant documents)} |
3. | {(List additional steps.)} | {(Link to relevant documents)} |
4. | Verify that the installation was successful. | {(Link to relevant documents)} |
System requirements
{(Start by breaking this into sub-sections based on the number of installation types (product type, operating system, or cloud—especially for projects that require self-hosting to work). Based on your use case, you can use this section reversely by having the installation type as the heading and system requirements for that type as a sub-section.)}
{(Mention for all installation types.)}
Before you begin
{(List and highlight all the required prerequisites here. Consider making this a table.)}
Before installing {(version number)}, ensure you have:
{(Prerequisite one)}
{(Prerequisite two)}
{(Prerequisite three)}
{(Include prerequisites for all installation types.)}
Type | Prerequisites | Note(s) |
|---|---|---|
{(Installation type name)} | {(Installation type prerequisites)} | {(Important considerations)} |
{(Installation type name)} | {(Installation type prerequisites)} | {(Important considerations)} |
Installation steps
The following procedure explains how to install {(installation type name)} and {(optional version number)}.
{(Provide a short introduction to the step-by-step procedure based on the installation type.)}
Get started with {(version number)} by {(write the first step a user needs to start the installation. Use a verb to start.)}
Step 1 - One-sentence description of the step
{(Optionally, introduce this section with brief explanatory text.)}
{(Continue with a list section if these steps include a sequence of instructions)}
{(Optional: include a code snippet or relevant screenshot that helps your users complete the steps.)}
{(Optional: show the result of completing this step, such as a text output or an image).)}
1.1. Substep 1 - One-sentence description of the step
{(Optionally, introduce this section with brief explanatory text.)}
{(Continue with a list section if these steps include a sequence of instructions)}
1.2. Substep 2 - One-sentence description of the step
{(Optionally, introduce this section with brief explanatory text.)}
{(Continue with a list section if these steps include a sequence of instructions.)}
Step 2 - One-sentence description of the step
{(Optionally, introduce this section with brief explanatory text.)}
{(Continue with a list section if these steps include a sequence of instructions.)}
Verify installation
{(Include test commands, intended outputs, or other steps to confirm the installation was successful.)}
Post installation
{(Provide an overview of options or link to other relevant documentation once installation has been completed. Also, account for anticipated problems during or after installation.)}
{(Optinal: include short introduction text.)}
Configuration options
{(Provide information regarding post-installation configuration options.)}
{(Describe the requirements for configuring the installed product.)}
{(Link to relevant documentation if needed.)}
Upgrade options
{(Provide information regarding upgrade options, also known as an update options.)}
{(Describe how to install updates from a range of possible options.)}
{(Provide a link to available updates with specific version numbers, release dates, and key features.)}
Example: To begin the system updates:
Choose the version number.
Download the update at link.
Double-click the update file.
Additional steps as needed.
Downgrade options
{(Provide information regarding downgrading the version installed.)}
Uninstallation options
{(Provide information regarding uninstalling the product, software, SDK, package, library, framework installed.)}
Troubleshooting
{(This section helps solve problems encountered during installation. Start with a problem statement, then indicate the cause and provide a solution. Additional information can be added (e.g., restart the computer))}.
{Add a warning note and highlight in color if the action has the potential to affect security.
Communicating with the product engineers and programmers is essential to keep this section up-to-date.}
{(Problem title: ...)}
{(Optional: More details about the problem.)}
{(Optional Cause: Cause …)}
Solution: {(Solution …)}
{(Optional: Contact: Support/contact information for issue reports and feedback.)}
{(Problem title: ...)}
...
Next steps
{(Include what to do after a successful installation, such as a recommended next step or links to further recommended documentation.)}
Product version history
{(History section with major changes to the installation guide tabulated following the Major.Minor.Patch semantic versioning specification.)}
Definition of terms
{(Optional: Provide a glossary table describing the terms, acronyms, and abbreviations used in the installation guide.)}
Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
{(Term, acronym, or abbreviation)} | {(Provide a definition of the term or acronym or abbreviation used in this guide.)} |
{(Term, acronym, or abbreviation)} | {(Provide a definition of the term or acronym or abbreviation used in this guide.)} |
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