Hyde is a documentation tool for C++ that parses source code to produce and enforce out-of-line documentation compatible with Jekyll.
The tool addresses the problem that inline documentation comments in source code tend to fall out of sync with the code they describe and clutter files that experienced developers no longer read. Hyde solves this by using Clang's libTooling library to compile and analyze C++ sources, extracting documentation information into structured Markdown files with YAML front-matter. This approach keeps documentation separate from code while maintaining a direct link to the actual source through compilation-based analysis rather than comment parsing.
Developers should choose Hyde if they maintain C++ libraries and want documentation that stays synchronized with code changes. The tool suits projects that already use Jekyll for static site generation or are willing to adopt it. Hyde operates in two modes: an update mode for library developers to refresh documentation against source changes, and a validate mode for build engineers to verify that documentation reflects the current codebase. The tool can also output AST-based information as JSON, enabling additional tooling on top of its analysis. Unlike inline documentation systems, Hyde's structured output and schema enforcement make it possible to detect when documentation has drifted from implementation.
The project maintains active development with regular commits addressing bug fixes and feature improvements. The codebase shows consistent attention to build infrastructure, with updates to CMake configuration and Docker support. Contributors engage substantively with issues, providing detailed responses and implementing requested enhancements. The project demonstrates stability in its core functionality while remaining responsive to user needs and environmental changes in the C++ ecosystem.
