When working on a DIY proxy project, comprehensive notes are indispensable — not just for your future self but as well as for collaborators, contributors, or future developers. Begin with a clear statement of intent. Justify the need for this solution, the specific challenge it overcomes, and the flow of data it manages. This context helps future readers quickly grasp the intent behind the design.

Detail the component layout. Break down every element — including code modules, ini files, virtual machines, or cloud endpoints — and how they communicate. Include diagrams if possible, even simple hand drawn ones photographed and included as image files. Identify sources, destinations, and transformation stages. Don’t assume that the code is self explanatory, because deployments shift, yet explanations remain constant.

List all dependencies and their versions. If your stack includes PyPI packages, Yarn components, or OS-level utilities, pin them using lockfiles or requirements.txt. Include instructions more info on hackmd how to install them. Note all.env keys or config.ini settings, and provide example values with explanations of what each one does.

Record how to start, stop, and restart the proxy. List all initiation scripts, required permissions, and common pitfalls like port conflicts or missing certificates. If there are logs, explain where to find them, and how severity tiers are defined. Include examples of typical log entries and what they indicate about system health.

Security is critical. Describe how users are verified, whether you’re using password, OAuth2, or client certs. Note how secrets are stored — stored in.env, wrapped in Vault, or buried in source?. If data passes through third-party APIs, list them and their compliance measures. Never allow admin panels or debug routes to be publicly accessible.

Include troubleshooting tips. Compile a gallery of past bugs and fixes. When invalid Content-Length headers trigger a memory leak, log the error code 502 and implement request validation — this saves hours for someone else debugging the same issue.

Finally, keep documentation up to date. Embed it in your pull request checklist — update it every time you change the code, add a new feature, or fix a bug. Track changes in Git alongside source files so updates are versioned with commits. Though you’re the sole current user, your future self will be grateful for the detail.