Skip to main content

docsrs-scraper

Scrapes Docs.rs to consolidate crate documentation into a single file.

Overview​

docsrs-scraper is a Python-based tool designed to simplify the process of gathering and consolidating documentation from Docs.rs. Whether you're a Rust developer needing offline access to crate documentation or looking to organize and archive technical references, this tool streamlines the process with minimal effort.

Key Features​

  • Comprehensive Documentation Scraping: Collects all relevant documentation for a crate from Docs.rs.
  • Offline Access: Saves documentation locally for offline use.
  • Customizable Output: Allows you to specify formats and output structures.
  • Efficient Crawling: Optimized to quickly fetch and process large crates.

Use Cases​

  • Offline Documentation Access: Useful for developers working in environments with limited or no internet access.
  • Archiving: Store documentation for long-term use, even if crates are deprecated.
  • Simplified Development: Quickly access consolidated references while working on Rust projects.

Features in Action​

1. Comprehensive Crate Scraping​

  • Fetches all sections of a crate’s documentation, including usage examples, API references, and dependencies.
  • Ensures that no critical information is missed.

2. Custom Output Formats​

  • Save documentation in formats like Markdown, HTML, or plain text.
  • Organize output into user-defined folder structures for easy navigation.

3. Selective Fetching​

  • Choose specific sections to scrape (e.g., usage guide, API references) instead of downloading the entire documentation.

Advanced Options​

  • Batch Mode: Process multiple crates in one session.
  • Search Filters: Limit scraping to crates matching specific keywords or categories.
  • Version Control: Specify crate versions for targeted documentation scraping.

Benefits​

  • Streamlined Workflow: Eliminates the need to manually search and organize documentation.
  • Customizable: Tailor outputs to fit your specific development needs.
  • Accessible: Makes crate documentation available offline for uninterrupted productivity.

Example Scenarios​

  1. Archiving a Key Crate’s Documentation Save and organize documentation for essential crates like tokio or serde for reference.

  2. Preparing for Offline Work Consolidate documentation for multiple crates before traveling or working in offline environments.

  3. Custom Learning Materials Extract documentation sections to create personalized guides or tutorials.

Future Roadmap​

  • Integration with Rustdoc: Enable seamless compatibility with Rust’s native documentation tools.
  • Enhanced Filtering: Add support for more advanced filters, such as dependency-based scraping.
  • Interactive CLI: Improve user interaction with command-line prompts and live previews.
  • GitHub Repository: docsrs-scraper on GitHub
  • Documentation: Tutorials and examples for efficient usage.
  • Community Support: Engage with other Rust developers to share tips and best practices.