ocaml-tutorials

name	ocaml-tutorials
description	Creating OCaml library tutorials using .mld documentation format with MDX executable examples. Use when discussing tutorials, documentation, .mld files, MDX, or interactive documentation.
license	ISC

OCaml Tutorial Creation

When to Use This Skill

Invoke this skill when:

• Creating tutorials for OCaml libraries
• Working with .mld documentation format
• Setting up MDX for executable examples
• Discussing interactive documentation

Overview

OCaml tutorials should:

• Introduce concepts gently
• Use executable code examples via MDX
• Progress from simple to complex
• Include practical patterns and use cases

File Structure

Required Components

1. doc/ directory in project root
2. tutorial.mld - Main tutorial content
3. index.mld - Documentation index
4. dune - Build rules

doc/dune Configuration

(mdx
 (files tutorial.mld)
 (libraries your_library_name))

(documentation
 (package your_package_name)
 (mld_files index tutorial))

dune-project Updates

Enable MDX:

(using mdx 0.4)

Add MDX as doc dependency:

(package
 (name your_package)
 (depends
  ...
  (mdx :with-doc)
  (odoc :with-doc)))

.mld Format

Document Structure

{0 Topic Name Tutorial}

Introduction text.

{1 Section Title}

Section content.

{2 Subsection Title}

Subsection content.

Executable Code Blocks

Use {@ocaml[...]} for executable examples:

{@ocaml[
# let x = 1 + 1;;
val x : int = 2
]}

• Lines starting with # are input
• Following lines are expected output
• MDX verifies output at build time
• Use ;; to terminate expressions

Non-Executable Code

Use {v ... v} for verbatim blocks:

{v
name: Alice
age: 30
v}

Cross-References

{!Library.function_name}          - Function reference
{!Library.Module.type_name}       - Type reference
{{!Library}API reference}         - Link with custom text

Lists

{ul
{- Item one}
{- Item two}
}

{ol
{- First item}
{- Second item}
}

Formatting

{b bold text}
{i italic text}

Tutorial Content Guidelines

Structure

1. Setup - How to load the library
2. Basic Usage - Simplest examples
3. Core Concepts - Main types and functions
4. Common Patterns - Real-world usage
5. Advanced Features - Complex functionality
6. Error Handling - How errors work
7. Summary - Quick reference

Setup Section

{1 Setup}

{@ocaml[
# #require "library_name";;
# open Library;;
]}

Best Practices

1. Show output - Include expected output in examples
2. Use consistent naming - Variables carry through examples
3. Build complexity gradually - Each example builds on previous
4. Explain the "why" - Not just syntax, but when to use features
5. Reference documentation - Link to API docs

Verification

dune build @check    # Verify syntax
dune build @doc      # Build documentation
dune runtest         # Run MDX tests (if configured)

Common Issues

Unresolved References

Use fully qualified names: {!Library.of_string} not {!of_string}

MDX Not Found

Enable in dune-project: (using mdx 0.4)

Output Mismatch

Run code manually, update expected output. Use <abstr> for abstract values.