wxPython Docs Modernisation
Open Source Work
This project focused on maintenance, UI design, and documentation improvements for the open-source project wxPython. The work included modernising the documentation build pipeline, migrating the documentation to a new theme, and updating the main website. The redesigned documentation now supports dark mode, works well on mobile devices, and includes a refreshed set of vector-based logos and graphics.
While working on Printrun, I became closely familiar with the wxPython UI library. During that process, I noticed that the documentation pages contained several visual issues and relied on a build process that had become significantly outdated. This led me to explore the codebase in more detail and identify ways I could contribute.
Working on an established open-source project like wxPython requires careful attention to the needs and expectations of its community. Changes must be precise, thoughtful, and respectful of long-time users. A large redesign could easily disrupt familiar workflows or be met with resistance, so the goal was to improve the overall user experience without introducing unnecessary layout changes.
The work was carried out in three stages. First, the documentation tool Sphinx was updated to the latest version, and the accompanying scripts, build process, and existing theme were repaired to work reliably with the new setup. Once the underlying system was stable, a new documentation theme was installed and adapted to match the required layout and visual style.
To create a more consistent and scalable visual identity, the existing logos and icons were redrawn as vector graphics, making it possible to export them at any required resolution. The final stage focused on updating the main website theme. The original site was largely based on Bootstrap 3 and was migrated to Bootstrap 5. As part of this process, the navigation menu was rebuilt to work properly across mobile devices and varying screen sizes.
