sphinx-doc / sphinx-doc/sphinx

ENH: Track and display backrefs

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type:enhancement
Dominant language
Python
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Description

Is your feature request related to a problem? Please describe.
Which narrative documentation pages reference this source module?
How do I list those backrefs in built Sphinx output?
Could I cache those backrefs as docstrings in the source module with e.g. redbaron?

Describe the solution you'd like
Track and display backrefs for module/function/class/method roles

  • determine where to store the list of backrefs
  • update roles
  • update templates

...

  • cache (some?) sphinx-discovered backrefs in source docstrings

Describe alternatives you've considered
None

Additional context
None

Contributor guide

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First steps

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  2. Comment on the issue to say you are picking it up — it saves two people doing the same work.
  3. Fork the repository and make your change on a branch.
  4. Open a pull request that references the issue number.

Research direction

Start by tracing how module, function, class, and method roles are handled and how templates produce built Sphinx output. Determine where backrefs can be stored, then define how role handling and templates should expose them. The work is done when backrefs are tracked and displayed for all listed roles; caching them in source docstrings with redbaron remains an optional unresolved item.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Tech stack
python
Domain
documentation
Issue type
Feature
Difficulty
5/5
Estimated time
Over a week
Activity status
Stale
Clarity
Needs clarification
Newbie friendliness
25/100

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