GNOME Desktop Documentation Crisis: A Call for Developers & Technical Writers

 

GNOME’s help system is in crisis—Yelp is outdated, docs are unmaintained, and the team needs help. Learn how developers & writers can modernize GNOME’s documentation for better security and usability. Join the effort today!

The GNOME Project, one of the most widely used open-source desktop environments, is facing a critical challenge: its help documentation system is in disrepair. 

With GNOME Yelp (the default help viewer) suffering from neglect and documentation tools lagging behind modern standards, the GNOME Release Team is urgently seeking contributors.

This situation presents a unique opportunity for developers, technical writers, and open-source enthusiasts to make a lasting impact on a premier Linux desktop ecosystem.

The State of GNOME Help & Documentation

1. GNOME Yelp: A Legacy Tool in Need of Modernization

GNOME Yelp, the built-in help viewer for GNOME, is struggling with multiple issues:

• Security vulnerabilities due to lack of active maintenance

• Still uses GTK3, while the rest of GNOME has migrated to GTK4

• No Meson build system support, hindering compatibility

• Bit-rot setting in without dedicated maintainers

This neglect creates a poor user experience and security risks for millions of Linux desktop users.

2. Outdated Documentation Toolchain

GNOME’s documentation is written in Mallard, a niche markup format with:

• Limited tooling support compared to modern alternatives

• No active maintenance, making contributions difficult

• Barriers to adoption for new technical writers

3. Dormant Documentation Team

The GNOME Documentation Team is currently inactive, leading to:

• Stale, incomplete, or missing documentation

• No structured review process for updates

• Missed opportunities for community contributions

How You Can Help Revitalize GNOME’s Documentation

The GNOME Release Team is calling for volunteers to:

✅ Modernize GNOME Yelp (GTK4 port, Meson migration, security fixes)

✅ Transition documentation to modern formats (Markdown, Sphinx, or GitBook)

✅ Reactivate the Documentation Team with fresh leadership

Why contribute?

• Boost your open-source credentials in a high-profile project

• Improve usability for millions of Linux users

• Gain experience in developer tools & documentation systems

🔗 Interested? Join the discussion on GNOME Discourse.