***

title: Document your APIs
approved: 2026-03-01T00:00:00.000Z
slug: docs/publishing-your-api/api-documentation-overview
max-toc-depth: 2
ux: v12
-------

[Documentation](https://www.postman.com/api-platform/api-documentation/) is an important part of your API, helping consumers understand what endpoints are available and how to interact with them. Postman offers two ways to publish documentation for your collections: [Postman documentation](/docs/publishing-your-api/publishing-your-docs) for quick API reference publishing, and Fern documentation for comprehensive documentation sites with guides and AI-powered features.

## Quickly share API reference

Postman automatically generates basic documentation for any collection you create, including request details, authorization type, and sample code. You can add descriptions to items in your collection to provide more context for users. This is a fast way to publish API reference documentation with minimal setup.

With Postman documentation, you can use the built-in editor to add descriptions, images, and videos. Postbot can also write documentation for you, automatically adding descriptions to your API requests including parameters and response examples.

Learn more at [Document your APIs in Postman](/docs/publishing-your-api/postman-documentation-overview).

<Info>
  Use Postman's AI assistant, Agent Mode, to automatically add descriptions to your API requests, including parameters and response examples. Learn more about [writing documentation with Agent Mode](/docs/publishing-your-api/authoring-your-documentation/#write-documentation-with-agent-mode).
</Info>

## Create a full documentation site

Fern is a docs-as-code platform that generates a documentation site from your Postman collection. When you publish, Fern automatically creates your API reference. From there, you can add guides, tutorials, and other content to build a complete documentation site.

Your documentation is deployed to a live site backed by a GitHub repository that your team owns. You get full edit rights and the flexibility to customize your site with custom branding, custom domains, and AI-powered features like intelligent search.

Learn more at [Document your APIs with Fern](/docs/collaborating-in-postman/publishing-your-api/fern/overview).

## Compare your options

|                   | Postman documentation            | Fern documentation                                    |
| ----------------- | -------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------- |
| **Best for**      | Quick API reference sharing      | Comprehensive documentation sites                     |
| **Setup time**    | Minimal                          | A few more steps                                      |
| **Content**       | API reference                    | API reference + guides                                |
| **AI features**   | Postbot for writing descriptions | Fern Writer for drafting content, llms.txt, AI search |
| **Customization** | Basic branding                   | Full control via GitHub                               |
| **Hosting**       | Postman-hosted                   | Your GitHub repository                                |

## Create a Run in Postman button

You can [create a Run in Postman button](/docs/publishing-your-api/run-in-postman/introduction-run-button/) to share a collection and its documentation with users. When users click the button, they have the option to fork the collection to their workspace, view the collection in a public workspace, or import the collection into Postman.