Creating technical documentation can be slow and tough.

Creating technical documentation can be slow and tough. You need to explain things in a clear way, make sure steps are correct, add examples, and often redo content many times. But now with AI tools, you can speed this up a lot. These tools can help you draft text, fix grammar, organize content, make diagrams, create examples, and even generate code snippets.

In this article, we’ll go through some of the best AI tools you can use for technical documentation. I’ll explain what each tool does, how it helps, and when you might want to use it.

1. ChatGPT (OpenAI)

ChatGPT is one of the most popular AI tools today. It can write, fix, or explain text. For technical documentation, it’s great because you can give it instructions like:

“Explain how this software works”
“Write a troubleshooting guide”
“Create step‑by‑step instructions”

You can also ask it to rewrite content in simpler language or into a different tone.

Why it’s useful

Fast writing and idea generation
Good at turning technical details into plain explanations
Can answer questions about your content
Helps fix grammar and clarity

When to use

When you need a first draft
When you want to simplify or expand text
When you want a fresh explanation of complex topics

Weaknesses

Sometimes makes small mistakes
May need fact‑checking and edits

2. Jasper AI

Jasper AI (previously known as Jarvis) is focused on writing. It has ready‑to‑use templates for many types of content — including technical guides.

It can help you write:

User manuals
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
How‑to instructions
Feature descriptions

Jasper also has a feature where you can train it with your own style so it writes in a consistent tone.

Why it’s useful

Helps write long content faster
Has templates to guide structure
Supports teams with collaborative tools

When to use

When you want structured, formatted outputs
When you write a lot of documentation regularly

Weaknesses

Sometimes you need to tweak wording
Requires subscription for best features

3. Claude (Anthropic)

Claude is another AI writing assistant similar to ChatGPT. It focuses on being safe and helpful in responses. You can use Claude to:

Explain complex ideas simply
Rephrase content
Create examples to clarify technical steps

One advantage of Claude is that it tries to be more precise and easier to control when you give instructions.

Why it’s useful

Good with clarity and accuracy
Helpful when you want safe, fact‑based writing
Good for rewriting existing documents

When to use

When you need reliable answers
When writing long explanations

Weaknesses

Sometimes slower than other tools
Might need editing for style and tone

4. GitBook

GitBook is specifically made for documentation. It is a platform where you can create, share, and organize docs. While GitBook itself isn’t an AI writer, it integrates with AI tools to help you write and edit content inside the platform.

It has:

Version history
Easy page links
Team collaboration
Templates for docs

With AI plugins, you can generate content directly inside your documentation pages.

Why it’s useful

Made for documentation, not just writing
Easy for teams to work together
Helps keep docs organized

When to use

When documentation needs structure and sharing
When working with a team

Weaknesses

You still need AI writing tools to generate text
Learning curve for first‑time users

5. Notion AI

Notion is a workspace where you can write, plan, and store docs. Notion AI is the built‑in AI assistant that helps you write and edit content. It can:

Summarize long text
Improve writing style
Generate content from prompts
Help brainstorm ideas

Notion is great for creating documentation that connects with tasks, notes, and guides in one place.

Why it’s useful

All‑in‑one writing + workspace tool
Good for collaborative editing
Easy to use

When to use

When you want docs linked to tasks
When working with a team on shared documentation

Weaknesses

AI is basic compared to specialized writing tools
You may need extra tools for complex outputs

6. Microsoft Copilot for Docs

Microsoft Copilot is the AI assistant in Microsoft Word and other Office apps. It helps you write better and faster by suggesting text, fixing grammar, and organizing content.

For technical documentation, Copilot can:

Rewrite sections to be clearer
Summarize long technical ideas
Suggest improvements
Help with tables and lists

Why it’s useful

Works inside tools many people already use
Simple suggestions and corrections
Good for teamwork if you use Microsoft 365

When to use

When you write docs in Word or Excel
When editing existing content

Weaknesses

Not as advanced as standalone AI writers
Less customization

7. Scribe

Scribe is slightly different. It helps you create step‑by‑step guides automatically. You can run Scribe while you perform a process on your screen, and it records steps — with text and screenshots.

After recording, it generates a guide that you can edit.

Why it’s useful

Very fast creation of step‑by‑step guides
Includes screenshots and text automatically
Saves time for process documentation

When to use

When documenting workflows
When training users or support teams

Weaknesses

Limited to step‑by‑step style
Best for GUI‑based processes, not deep technical content

8. Docusaurus + AI Plugins

Docusaurus is a tool developers use to make documentation websites. It’s not an AI writer by itself, but you can add AI plugins to generate content.

With AI plugins, developers can:

Generate sections from prompts
Update docs faster
Build help sites

This is good for open source projects or product documentation that must live on a public website.

Why it’s useful

Creates professional documentation sites
AI plugins speed up writing

When to use

When publishing docs to a website
When working with developers

Weaknesses

Needs more setup than simple editors
Best for technical teams

9. Wordtune

Wordtune is a tool that helps rewrite sentences. It takes text you already wrote and suggests clearer or easier versions.

For documentation, Wordtune is helpful to:

Improve clarity
Simplify complex wording
Change tone to be more friendly

Why it’s useful

Great for editing and polishing
Works as you write

When to use

When you need clearer language
When editing final drafts

Weaknesses

Not a full content generator
Works best with existing text

10. Explainpaper (for research docs)

If your documentation involves scientific content or research papers, Explainpaper is useful. You give it a research paper and it explains the content in simpler words.

This tool helps you understand:

Complex research ideas
Technical definitions
Hard sections you don’t want to write yourself

It’s not a full doc creator, but it’s great for understanding content before you write.

Why it’s useful

Explains hard ideas clearly
Helps you prepare content

When to use

When working with research papers
When you need clear summaries

Weaknesses

Not a full documentation tool
Only good for explaining research

11. ReadMe

ReadMe is a platform that helps you build and publish technical documentation for software products or APIs. It has features like:

Interactive API docs
Versioning
Feedback tools
Search functions

You can also connect AI tools to help generate new content or update docs automatically.

Why it’s useful

Built for software documentation
Easy for users to explore and read
Great for APIs

When to use

When publishing documentation for customers
When you want clean, live help pages

Weaknesses

Platform cost
Requires setup

12. GitHub Copilot (for Code Examples)

GitHub Copilot isn’t a documentation writer, but it helps generate code examples you can include in your docs. When documentation needs code snippets, Copilot can suggest code as you type.

This is helpful because good docs often include real code that works.

Why it’s useful

Speeds up code example writing
Works inside code editors

When to use

When writing developer docs
When you need accurate code samples

Weaknesses

Not a text writer — only for code suggestions

How to Choose the Right Tool

There is no one best tool for everyone. The best choice depends on what kind of documentation you need:

If you need a quick first draft

Use ChatGPT, Claude, or Jasper. They can generate text fast.

If you want a space to organize documentation

Use Notion, GitBook, or ReadMe.

If you write a lot of process guides

Scribe is perfect because it captures steps automatically.

If you need clear editing

Wordtune and Microsoft Copilot help polish the text.

If you include code examples

GitHub Copilot helps generate real code.

Tips for Using AI Tools Well

AI tools are very helpful, but here are some tips to use them well:

1. Start with a clear prompt

Tell the AI exactly what you want. Example:
“Write a troubleshooting guide for installing Software X version 2.”

2. Break content into small parts

Ask the AI to write one section at a time — it’s easier to manage than asking for a whole 20‑page doc at once.

3. Check facts

AI can make up details or be slightly wrong. Always review the content yourself.

4. Use editing tools

After generating text, use tools like Wordtune or Copilot to polish it.

5. Involve your team

Ask subject experts to review drafts before publishing.

Conclusion

AI tools are changing how we make technical documentation. They help save time, improve clarity, and make writing easier — especially when you work with long, detailed information. From tools that generate text to tools that help organize and publish docs, there are many options to choose from.

Here’s a quick list to remind you: