Automated Code Documentation Generator using AI with React and Django

Abstract

This project proposes an AI-powered platform for generating automated software documentation. Developers often overlook comprehensive documentation due to time constraints or complexity. To address this, we built a system that enables users to upload source code, which is then processed by Google\'s Gemini LLM to produce detailed documentation. The application uses a React-based frontend for user interaction, Django REST Framework for backend services, and supports PDF generation and secure user authentication via JWT. The system aims to save time and improve code maintainability.

Introduction

This project automates software code documentation using AI, addressing the common neglect of manual documentation due to its tediousness. By combining React (frontend), Django REST (backend), and Google's Gemini API (AI layer), the system enables users to upload code files, generate detailed natural language documentation, preview it, and download it as a PDF.

Unlike traditional tools like Doxygen or Sphinx, which are language-specific and lack natural language clarity, this system leverages Gemini's LLM to detect programming languages and produce human-readable explanations. It supports Python, Java, and JavaScript, offering a user-friendly interface with authentication, secure file handling, and markdown-based formatting. The result is a more intuitive, cross-language solution for automatic documentation generation.

Conclusion

The Automated Code Documentation Generator successfully demonstrates how artificial intelligence can significantly simplify the often-overlooked process of software documentation. By integrating Google\'s Gemini API with a user-friendly React frontend and a Django REST backend, the system enables users to upload source code and receive structured, detailed documentation in real-time. This not only reduces the manual effort required but also improves code readability and maintainability. The project supports multiple programming languages, handles file uploads, dynamically detects code structure, and outputs the documentation in both markdown and downloadable PDF formats. The user authentication system ensures secure access, while the intuitive interface improves accessibility for developers of all levels.

References

[1] Google Cloud. (2024). Gemini API Documentation. Retrieved from https://ai.google.dev [2] Django Software Foundation. (2024). Django Documentation (v4.2). Retrieved from https://docs.djangoproject.com [3] Meta Platforms Inc. (2024). React – A JavaScript Library for Building User Interfaces. Retrieved from https://reactjs.org

Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Gaurav Thopate, Prof. P. R. Jadhao. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.