Code of Conduct for Documentation Contributors

A code of conduct establishes expectations for respectful and inclusive participation in documentation projects. Learn how to create, adopt, and enforce one.

What You'll Learn

You will learn what a code of conduct is, why documentation projects need one, how to adopt an existing code, and how to handle violations.

Why It Matters

A code of conduct creates a safe space for contributors. Projects without one risk toxic behavior that drives contributors away.

Real-World Use

DodaTech uses the Contributor Covenant Code of Conduct. All contributors must agree to it before their first PR is merged.

flowchart LR
  A[Code of Conduct] --> B[Standards]
  A --> C[Enforcement]
  B --> D[Expected Behavior]
  B --> E[Unacceptable Behavior]
  C --> F[Reporting Process]
  C --> G[Consequences]
  D:::current
  classDef current fill:#f90,color:#fff,stroke:#333,stroke-width:2px

What a Code of Conduct Covers

Expected Behavior

## Expected Behavior

- Be respectful and inclusive
- Use welcoming language
- Accept constructive criticism gracefully
- Focus on what is best for the community
- Show empathy toward other community members

Unacceptable Behavior

def evaluate_behavior(comment):
    unacceptable_phrases = [
        'that is a stupid idea',
        'this is trivial',
        'anyone could do this',
        'why do you not understand',
    ]
    for phrase in unacceptable_phrases:
        if phrase in comment.lower():
            return f"Violation: '{phrase}' is unacceptable"
    return "Behavior acceptable"

print(evaluate_behavior("That is a stupid idea"))
print(evaluate_behavior("Could you clarify this part?"))

Expected output:

Violation: 'that is a stupid idea' is unacceptable
Behavior acceptable

Adopting a Code of Conduct

Option 1: Use an Existing Code

The Contributor Covenant is the most widely used code of conduct.

## Code of Conduct

We have adopted the [Contributor Covenant](https://www.contributor-covenant.org/)
Code of Conduct. By participating in this project, you agree to abide by its terms.

Option 2: Custom Code

# CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md
title: Contributor Covenant Code of Conduct
version: 2.1
adopted: 2026-06-28

our_pledge:
  - Create a welcoming environment
  - Ensure everyone can participate
  - Enforce standards fairly

our_standards:
  positive:
    - Using inclusive language
    - Being respectful of differing viewpoints
    - Gracefully accepting constructive criticism
  unacceptable:
    - Sexualized language or imagery
    - Trolling, insulting comments
    - Publishing others private information

Enforcement

Reporting Process

## Reporting Violations

If you experience or witness unacceptable behavior, report it to
conduct@dodatech.com. Reports are handled confidentially by the
project maintainers.

### What to Include
- Description of the incident
- Date and location (PR link, issue, chat)
- Any relevant screenshots or evidence
- Your preferred resolution

Consequences

Common Mistakes

1. Adopting Without Enforcing

A code of conduct that is never enforced is worse than none. It creates false expectations of safety.

2. No Reporting Process

A code of conduct without a reporting mechanism is performative. Include clear reporting instructions.

3. Not Training Maintainers

Maintainers must know how to handle reports fairly and confidentially.

4. Making It Too Long

A code of conduct should be readable in 5 minutes. Link to detailed policies for specifics.

5. Excluding Documentation Contributors

Documentation contributors and code contributors follow the same code of conduct. Do not create separate standards.

Practice Questions

1. Why do documentation projects need a code of conduct?

It ensures a respectful and inclusive environment for all contributors, which is essential for community health.

2. What is the most widely used code of conduct?

The Contributor Covenant. It is adopted by thousands of open source projects.

3. What should a reporting process include?

Contact information, what to include in the report, and confidentiality guarantees.

4. Why is enforcement important for a code of conduct?

Without enforcement, the code is performative. Contributors need to know that violations have consequences.

5. Challenge: Create or customize a code of conduct for a documentation project. Include standards, reporting process, and enforcement guidelines.

FAQ

Mini Project

Adopt a code of conduct for a documentation project. Use the Contributor Covenant, customize the reporting process with a contact email, and add enforcement guidelines.

What's Next

Now that you understand codes of conduct, learn Issue Tracking for Docs. Then study Pull Request Templates.