docs: reorganize and add article on working with docFx

docs/docs/Get-started.md

@@ -23,4 +23,4 @@ This section assumes knowledge of loading programs to and working with the file
 1. Run the command `devjson:1 {"deviceKey":"display-1","methodName":"PowerOn", "params": []}`. This will call the method PowerOn() on the device with key "display-1".
 1. Run the provided example XPanel SmartGraphics project and connect to your processor at the appropriate IPID.
 
-Next: [Standalone use](~/docs/Standalone-Use.md)
+Next: [Standalone use](~/docs/usage/Standalone-Use.md)

docs/docs/Home.md

@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ Thanks!
 
 ## Collaboration
 
-Essentials is an open-source project and we encourage collaboration on this community project. For features that may not be useful to the greater community, or for just-plain learning, we want to remind developers to try writing plugins for Essentials. More information can be found here: [Plugins](~/docs/Plugins.md)
+Essentials is an open-source project and we encourage collaboration on this community project. For features that may not be useful to the greater community, or for just-plain learning, we want to remind developers to try writing plugins for Essentials. More information can be found here: [Plugins](~/docs/technical-docs/Plugins.md)
 
 ### Open-source-collaborative workflow
 

docs/docs/Plugins-Deprecated.md

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 # Deprecated
 
-**Note : this entry is out of date - please see [Plugins](~/docs/Plugins.md)**
+**Note : this entry is out of date - please see [Plugins](~/docs/technical-docs/Plugins.md)**
 
 ## What are Essentials Plugins?
 

docs/docs/SIMPL-Bridging-Deprecated.md

@@ -358,7 +358,7 @@ Example device config: <https://github.com/PepperDash/Essentials/blob/main/Peppe
 
 1. A bridge need not only bridge between applications on the same processor. A bridge may bridge to an application on a completely separate processor; simply define the ip address in the Bridge control properties accordingly.
 
-1. For devices included in Essentials, you will be able to find defined join maps below. If you are building your own plugins, you will need to build the join map yourself. It would be beneficial to review the wiki entry on the [Feedback Class](~/docs/Feedback-Classes.md) for this.
+1. For devices included in Essentials, you will be able to find defined join maps below. If you are building your own plugins, you will need to build the join map yourself. It would be beneficial to review the wiki entry on the [Feedback Class](~/docs/technical-docs/Feedback-Classes.md) for this.
 
 1. When building plugins, we highly recommend reusing JoinMaps, as this will make code more easily interchangeable. For example; if you were to build a display plugin, we'd recommend you use/extend the existing DisplayControllerJoinMap. This way, you can swap plugins without needing any change on the Simpl Windows side. This is extremely powerful when maintaining Simpl Windows code bases for large deployments that may utilize differing equipment per room. If you can build a Simpl Windows program that interacts with established join maps, you can swap out the device via config without any change needed to Simpl Windows.
 
@@ -474,4 +474,4 @@ Example device config: <https://github.com/PepperDash/Essentials/blob/main/Peppe
 
 We've provided an [example program](https://github.com/PepperDash/EssentialsSIMPLWindowsBridgeExample) for SIMPL Windows that works with the provided example Essentials configuration file [SIMPLBridgeExample_configurationFile.json](https://github.com/PepperDash/Essentials/blob/main/PepperDashEssentials/Example%20Configuration/SIMPLBridging/SIMPLBridgeExample_configurationFile.json). Load Essentials and the example SIMPL program to two slots on the same processor and you can get a better idea of how to take advantage of SIMPL Windows bridging.
 
-Next: [Essentials architecture](~/docs/Arch-summary.md)
+Next: [Essentials architecture](~/docs/technical-docs/Arch-summary.md)

docs/docs/SIMPL-Bridging.md

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 # SIMPL Windows Bridging
 
-**Note : this entry is out of date - please see [SIMPL Windows Bridging - Updated](~/docs/SIMPL-Bridging-Updated.md)**
+**Note : this entry is out of date - please see [SIMPL Windows Bridging - Updated](~/docs/usage/SIMPL-Bridging-Updated.md)**
 
 Essentials allows for devices defined within the SIMPL# Pro application to be bridged to a SIMPL Windows application over Ethernet Intersystem Communication (EISC). This allows a SIMPL Windows program to take advantage of some of the features of the SIMPL# Pro environment, without requiring the entire application to be written in C#.
 
@@ -356,7 +356,7 @@ Example device config: <https://github.com/PepperDash/Essentials/blob/main/Peppe
 
 1. A bridge need not only bridge between applications on the same processor. A bridge may bridge to an application on a completely separate processor; simply define the ip address in the Bridge control properties accordingly.
 
-1. For devices included in Essentials, you will be able to find defined join maps below. If you are building your own plugins, you will need to build the join map yourself. It would be beneficial to review the wiki entry on the [Feedback Class](~/docs/Feedback-Classes.md) for this.
+1. For devices included in Essentials, you will be able to find defined join maps below. If you are building your own plugins, you will need to build the join map yourself. It would be beneficial to review the wiki entry on the [Feedback Class](~/docs/technical-docs/Feedback-Classes.md) for this.
 
 1. When building plugins, we highly recommend reusing JoinMaps, as this will make code more easily interchangeable. For example; if you were to build a display plugin, we'd recommend you use/extend the existing DisplayControllerJoinMap. This way, you can swap plugins without needing any change on the Simpl Windows side. This is extremely powerful when maintaining Simpl Windows code bases for large deployments that may utilize differing equipment per room. If you can build a Simpl Windows program that interacts with established join maps, you can swap out the device via config without any change needed to Simpl Windows.
 
@@ -472,4 +472,4 @@ Example device config: <https://github.com/PepperDash/Essentials/blob/main/Peppe
 
 We've provided an [example program](https://github.com/PepperDash/EssentialsSIMPLWindowsBridgeExample) for SIMPL Windows that works with the provided example Essentials configuration file [SIMPLBridgeExample_configurationFile.json](https://github.com/PepperDash/Essentials/blob/main/PepperDashEssentials/Example%20Configuration/SIMPLBridging/SIMPLBridgeExample_configurationFile.json). Load Essentials and the example SIMPL program to two slots on the same processor and you can get a better idea of how to take advantage of SIMPL Windows bridging.
 
-Next: [Essentials architecture](~/docs/Arch-summary.md)
+Next: [Essentials architecture](~/docs/technical-docs/Arch-summary.md)

docs/docs/how-to/how-to-add-docs.md

@@ -0,0 +1,148 @@
+# How to Add Documentation to Essentials
+
+This guide explains how to add new documentation articles to the Essentials docFx site.
+
+## Overview
+
+The Essentials documentation uses [docFx](https://dotnet.github.io/docfx/) to generate a static documentation website. Documentation files are organized in a hierarchical structure with a table of contents (TOC) file that defines the site navigation. Documentation should be organized and written to fit into the [Diátaxis](https://diataxis.fr/start-here/) conceptual framework.
+
+## Documentation Structure
+
+Documentation files are located in `/docs/docs/` and organized into the following subdirectories:
+
+- **how-to/** - Step-by-step guides and tutorials
+- **usage/** - Usage documentation for SIMPL bridging, standalone use, and hardware integration
+- **technical-docs/** - Technical documentation including architecture, plugins, and API references
+- **images/** - Image assets used in documentation
+
+## Adding a New Document
+
+### Step 1: Create Your Markdown File
+
+1. Determine which category your document belongs to (how-to, usage, or technical-docs)
+2. Create a new `.md` file in the appropriate subdirectory
+3. Use a descriptive filename with hyphens (e.g., `my-new-feature.md`)
+
+**Example:**
+```bash
+# For a how-to guide
+touch /docs/docs/how-to/configure-audio-settings.md
+
+# For usage documentation
+touch /docs/docs/usage/video-switcher-control.md
+
+# For technical documentation
+touch /docs/docs/technical-docs/custom-device-plugin.md
+```
+
+### Step 2: Write Your Content
+
+Start your markdown file with a level 1 heading (`#`) that serves as the page title:
+
+```markdown
+# Your Document Title
+
+Brief introduction to the topic.
+
+## Section Heading
+
+Content goes here...
+
+### Subsection
+
+More detailed content...
+```
+
+**Markdown Features:**
+- Use standard markdown syntax
+- Include code blocks with language specifiers (```csharp, ```json, etc.)
+- Add images: `![Alt text](../images/your-image.png)`
+- Link to other docs: `[Link text](../usage/related-doc.md)`
+
+### Step 3: Add to Table of Contents
+
+Edit `/docs/docs/toc.yml` to add your new document to the navigation:
+
+```yaml
+- name: How-to's
+  items:
+    - href: how-to/how-to-add-docs.md
+    - href: how-to/your-new-doc.md  # Add your document here
+```
+
+**TOC Structure:**
+- `name:` - Display name in the navigation menu
+- `href:` - Relative path to the markdown file
+- `items:` - Nested items for hierarchical navigation
+
+**Example with nested items:**
+```yaml
+- name: Usage
+  items:
+  - name: SIMPL Bridging
+    href: usage/SIMPL-Bridging-Updated.md
+    items:
+    - name: Your Sub-Topic
+      href: usage/your-sub-topic.md
+```
+
+### Step 4: Test Locally
+
+Build and preview the docFx site locally to verify your changes:
+
+```bash
+# Navigate to the docs directory
+cd docs
+
+# Build the documentation
+docfx build
+
+# Serve the site locally
+docfx serve _site
+```
+
+Then open your browser to `http://localhost:8080` to view the site.
+
+## Best Practices
+
+### File Naming
+- Use lowercase with hyphens: `my-document-name.md`
+- Be descriptive but concise
+- Avoid special characters
+
+### Content Guidelines
+- Start with a clear introduction
+- Use hierarchical headings (H1 → H2 → H3)
+- Include code examples where appropriate
+- Add images to illustrate complex concepts
+- Link to related documentation
+
+### TOC Organization
+- Group related documents under the same parent
+- Order items logically (basic → advanced)
+- Keep the TOC hierarchy shallow (2-3 levels max)
+- Use clear, descriptive names for navigation items
+
+## Common Issues
+
+### Document Not Appearing
+- Verify the file path in `toc.yml` is correct and uses forward slashes
+- Ensure the markdown file exists in the specified location
+- Check for YAML syntax errors in `toc.yml`
+
+### Images Not Loading
+- Verify image path is relative to the markdown file location
+- Use `../images/` for files in the images directory
+- Ensure image files are committed to the repository
+
+### Broken Links
+- Use relative paths for internal links
+- Test all links after building the site
+- Use `.md` extension when linking to other documentation files
+
+## Additional Resources
+
+- [docFx Documentation](https://dotnet.github.io/docfx/)
+- [Markdown Guide](https://www.markdownguide.org/)
+- [YAML Syntax](https://yaml.org/spec/1.2/spec.html)
+- [Diátaxis](https://diataxis.fr/start-here/)

docs/docs/technical-docs/Arch-1.md

@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ Types of things in `DeviceManager`:
 
 A Device doesn't always represent a physical piece of hardware, but rather a logical construct that "does something" and is used by one or more other devices in the running program.  For example, we create a room device, and its corresponding Fusion device, and that room has a Cisco codec device, with an attached SSh client device. All of these lie in a flat collection in the `DeviceManager`.
 
-> The `DeviceManager` is nothing more than a modified collection of things, and technically those things don't have to be Devices, but must at least implement the `IKeyed` (`PepperDash.Core.IKeyed`) interface (simply so items can be looked up by their key.) Items in the `DeviceManager` that are Devices are run through additional steps of [activation](~/docs/Arch-activate.md#2-pre-activation) at startup.  This collection of devices is all interrelated by their string keys.
+> The `DeviceManager` is nothing more than a modified collection of things, and technically those things don't have to be Devices, but must at least implement the `IKeyed` (`PepperDash.Core.IKeyed`) interface (simply so items can be looked up by their key.) Items in the `DeviceManager` that are Devices are run through additional steps of [activation](~/docs/technical-docs/Arch-activate.md#2-pre-activation) at startup.  This collection of devices is all interrelated by their string keys.
 
 In this flat design, we spin up devices, and then introduce them to their "coworkers and bosses" - the other devices and logical units that they will interact with - and get them all operating together to form a running unit. For example: A room configuration will contain a "VideoCodecKey" property and a "DefaultDisplayKey" property. The `DeviceManager` provides the room with the codec or displays having the appropriate keys. What the room does with those is dependent on its coding.
 
@@ -38,4 +38,4 @@ This flat structure ensures that every device in a system exists in one place an
 
 ![Architecture overview](~/docs/images/arch-overview.png)
 
-Next: [Configurable lifecycle](~/docs/Arch-lifecycle.md)
+Next: [Configurable lifecycle](~/docs/technical-docs/Arch-lifecycle.md)

docs/docs/technical-docs/Arch-activate.md

@@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ Each of the three activation phases operates in a try/catch block for each devic
 
 In any real-world system, devices and business logic need to talk to each other, otherwise, what's the point of all this coding? When creating your classes and configuration, it is best practice to _try_ not to "plug" one device into another during construction or activation. For example your touchpanel controller class has a `Display1` property that holds the display-1 object. Rather, it may be better to refer to the device as it is stored in the `DeviceManager` when it's needed using the static `DeviceManager.GetDeviceForKey(key)` method to get a reference to the device, which can be cast using various interfaces/class types, and then interacted with.  This prevents objects from being referenced in places where the developer may later forget to dereference them, causing memory leak.  This will become more important as Essentials becomes more able to be reconfigured at runtime.
 
-As an example, [connection-based routing](~/docs/Connection-based-routing.md#essentials-connection-based-routing) uses these methods.  When a route is requested, the collection of tielines and devices is searched for the devices and paths necessary to complete a route, but there are no devices or tie lines that are object-referenced in running code.  It can all be torn down and reconfigured without any memory-management dereferencing, setting things to null.
+As an example, [connection-based routing](~/docs/technical-docs/Connection-based-routing.md#essentials-connection-based-routing) uses these methods.  When a route is requested, the collection of tielines and devices is searched for the devices and paths necessary to complete a route, but there are no devices or tie lines that are object-referenced in running code.  It can all be torn down and reconfigured without any memory-management dereferencing, setting things to null.
 
 ## Device Initialization
 
@@ -155,4 +155,4 @@ Robust C#-based system code should not depend on "order" or "time" to get runnin
 
 When designing new Device-based classes, be it rooms, devices, port controllers, bridges, make them as independent as possible.  They could exist alone in a program with no required partner objects, and just quietly exist without failing. We want the system to be fast and flexible, and keeping the interdependence between objects at a minimum improves this flexibility into the future.
 
-Next: [More architecture](~/docs/Arch-topics.md)
+Next: [More architecture](~/docs/technical-docs/Arch-topics.md)

docs/docs/technical-docs/Arch-lifecycle.md

@@ -2,8 +2,8 @@
 
 The diagram below describes how Essentials gets a program up and running.
 
-(The various activation phases are covered in more detail on the [next page](~/docs/Arch-activate.md))
+(The various activation phases are covered in more detail on the [next page](~/docs/technical-docs/Arch-activate.md))
 
 ![Lifecycle](~/docs/images/lifecycle.png)
 
-Next: [Activation phases](~/docs/Arch-activate.md)
+Next: [Activation phases](~/docs/technical-docs/Arch-activate.md)

docs/docs/technical-docs/Arch-summary.md

@@ -16,4 +16,4 @@ The diagram below shows the reference dependencies that exist between the differ
 
 ![Architecture drawing](~/docs/images/arch-high-level.png)
 
-Next: [Architecture](~/docs/Arch-1.md)
+Next: [Architecture](~/docs/technical-docs/Arch-1.md)

docs/docs/toc.yml

@@ -1,48 +1,52 @@
 - name: Get Started With Essentials
 - href: ../index.md
-- href: Get-started.md    
+- href: Get-started.md 
+- name: How-to's
+  items:
+  - name: How to add an article or doc page
+    href: how-to/How-to-add-docs.md
 - name: Usage
   items:
-  - href: Standalone-Use.md    
-  - href: SIMPL-Bridging-Updated.md
+  - href: usage/Standalone-Use.md    
+  - href: usage/SIMPL-Bridging-Updated.md
     items:
     - name: Join Maps
-      href: JoinMaps.md
+      href: usage/JoinMaps.md
     - name: Bridging to Hardware Resources
-      href: Bridging-To-Hardware-Resources.md
+      href: usage/Bridging-To-Hardware-Resources.md
       items:
       - name: GenericComm Bridging
-        href: GenericComm.md
+        href: usage/GenericComm.md
       - name: RelayOutput Bridging
-        href: RelayOutput.md
+        href: usage/RelayOutput.md
       - name: Digital Input Bridging
-        href: DigitalInput.md
+        href: usage/DigitalInput.md
       - name: IR Driver Bridging
-        href: IR-Driver-Bridging.md
+        href: usage/IR-Driver-Bridging.md
 - name: Technical documentation
   items:    
-    - href: Arch-summary.md
+    - href: technical-docs/Arch-summary.md
     - name: Devices and DeviceManager
-      href: Arch-1.md
+      href: technical-docs/Arch-1.md
     - name: Configurable lifecycle
-      href: Arch-lifecycle.md
+      href: technical-docs/Arch-lifecycle.md
     - name: Activation phases
-      href: Arch-activate.md
+      href: technical-docs/Arch-activate.md
     - name: More
-      href: Arch-topics.md
+      href: technical-docs/Arch-topics.md
     - name: Plugins
-      href: Plugins.md
+      href: technical-docs/Plugins.md
     - name: Communication Basics
-      href: Communication-Basics.md
+      href: technical-docs/Communication-Basics.md
     - name: Debugging
-      href: Debugging.md
+      href: technical-docs/Debugging.md
     - name: Feedback Classes
-      href: Feedback-Classes.md
+      href: technical-docs/Feedback-Classes.md
     - name: Connection Based Routing
-      href: Connection-Based-Routing.md
+      href: technical-docs/Connection-Based-Routing.md
     - name: Configuration Structure
-      href: ConfigurationStructure.md
+      href: technical-docs/ConfigurationStructure.md
     - name: Supported Devices
-      href: Supported-Devices.md
+      href: technical-docs/Supported-Devices.md
     - name: Glossary of Terms
-      href: Glossary-of-Terms.md
+      href: technical-docs/Glossary-of-Terms.md

docs/docs/usage/Bridging-To-Hardware-Resources.md

@@ -6,10 +6,10 @@ One of the most powerful features of Essentials is the ability to bridge SIMPL t
 
 Follow the links below for examples of bridging to hardware and network resources.
 
-**[GenericComm Bridging](~/docs/GenericComm.md)**
+**[GenericComm Bridging](~/docs/usage/GenericComm.md)**
 
-**[RelayOutput Bridging](~/docs/RelayOutput.md)**
+**[RelayOutput Bridging](~/docs/usage/RelayOutput.md)**
 
-**[Digital Input Bridging](~/docs/DigitalInput.md)**
+**[Digital Input Bridging](~/docs/usage/DigitalInput.md)**
 
 **[Card Frame Bridging](~/docs/CardFrame.md)**

docs/docs/usage/SIMPL-Bridging-Updated.md

@@ -286,7 +286,7 @@ Example device config: <https://github.com/PepperDash/Essentials/blob/main/Peppe
 
 3. A bridge need not only bridge between applications on the same processor. A bridge may bridge to an application on a completely separate processor; simply define the ip address in the Bridge control properties accordingly.
 
-4. For devices included in Essentials, you will be able to find defined join maps below. If you are building your own plugins, you will need to build the join map yourself. It would be beneficial to review the wiki entry on the [Feedback Class](~/docs/Feedback-Classes.md) for this.
+4. For devices included in Essentials, you will be able to find defined join maps below. If you are building your own plugins, you will need to build the join map yourself. It would be beneficial to review the wiki entry on the [Feedback Class](~/docs/technical-docs/Feedback-Classes.md) for this.
 
 5. When building plugins, we highly recommend reusing JoinMaps, as this will make code more easily interchangeable. For example; if you were to build a display plugin, we'd recommend you use/extend the existing `DisplayControllerJoinMap`. This way, you can swap plugins without needing any change on the SIMPL Windows side. This is extremely powerful when maintaining SIMPL Windows code bases for large deployments that may utilize differing equipment per room. If you can build a SIMPL Windows program that interacts with established join maps, you can swap out the device via config without any change needed to SIMPL Windows.
 
@@ -302,7 +302,7 @@ Example device config: <https://github.com/PepperDash/Essentials/blob/main/Peppe
 
 ## Join Map Documentation
 
-[Join Map Documentation](~/docs/JoinMaps.md)
+[Join Map Documentation](~/docs/usage/JoinMaps.md)
 
 ## Device Type Join Maps
 
@@ -408,4 +408,4 @@ Please note that these joinmaps _may_ be using a deprecated implementation. The
 
 We've provided an [example program](https://github.com/PepperDash/EssentialsSIMPLWindowsBridgeExample) for SIMPL Windows that works with the provided example Essentials configuration file [SIMPLBridgeExample_configurationFile.json](https://github.com/PepperDash/Essentials/blob/main/PepperDashEssentials/Example%20Configuration/SIMPLBridging/SIMPLBridgeExample_configurationFile.json). Load Essentials and the example SIMPL program to two slots on the same processor and you can get a better idea of how to take advantage of SIMPL Windows bridging.
 
-Next: [Essentials architecture](~/docs/Arch-summary.md)
+Next: [Essentials architecture](~/docs/technical-docs/Arch-summary.md)

docs/docs/usage/Standalone-Use.md

@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ By defining devices and a room in a JSON configuration file, Essentials can cont
 
 ### Devices
 
-Essentials supports device plugins for communicating with various devices using both standard Crestron CIP communications, Cresnet, SSH, or other TCP/IP-based communication methods. See [the Plugins section](~/docs/Plugins.md) for more details
+Essentials supports device plugins for communicating with various devices using both standard Crestron CIP communications, Cresnet, SSH, or other TCP/IP-based communication methods. See [the Plugins section](~/docs/technical-docs/Plugins.md) for more details
 
 ### Rooms
 
@@ -16,4 +16,4 @@ In order to tie together equipment into a unit that comprises what devices are u
 
 See Also: [[Supported Devices|Supported-Devices]]
 
-Next: [Simpl Windows bridging](~/docs/SIMPL-Bridging-Updated.md)
+Next: [Simpl Windows bridging](~/docs/usage/SIMPL-Bridging-Updated.md)

docs/index.md

@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ Thanks!
 
 ## Collaboration
 
-Essentials is an open-source project and we encourage collaboration on this community project. For features that may not be useful to the greater community, or for just-plain learning, we want to remind developers to try writing plugins for Essentials. More information can be found here: [Plugins](~/docs/Plugins.md)
+Essentials is an open-source project and we encourage collaboration on this community project. For features that may not be useful to the greater community, or for just-plain learning, we want to remind developers to try writing plugins for Essentials. More information can be found here: [Plugins](~/docs/technical-docs/Plugins.md)
 
 ### Open-source-collaborative workflow