StrictDoc
strictdoc.readthedocs.io
What it is
StrictDoc is open-source software for technical documentation and requirements management. It stores requirements and documentation as plain-text files that teams can version with Git, using SDoc or a Markdown dialect with traceability features. Requirements can link to source code, tests, and test reports, with navigation through a traceability graph. StrictDoc reports source-code coverage by requirement and generates diffs and changelogs between document-tree versions. Users can edit and review documents in a browser, IDE, or command-line workflow. Custom document grammars define project-specific fields and mandatory values. Exports include HTML and reStructuredText, with the latter feeding a Sphinx pipeline; PDF export is experimental. ReqIF import and export are experimental, and Excel XLS/XLSX and JSON are listed formats. A Python API supports extensions and engineering integrations. StrictDoc requires Python 3.10 or newer, runs a local web server, and offers pip and Docker installation paths. It is licensed under Apache License 2.0 and targets agile teams, safety- and security-critical projects, documentation teams, and university or research projects.
Spec sheet
- Purpose
- StrictDoc is open-source software for technical documentation and requirements management.Read 8 Oct 2026 · strictdoc-project.github.io
- Intended users
- The project identifies agile software teams, safety- and security-critical projects, technical documentation teams, and university or research projects as users.Read 8 Oct 2026 · strictdoc-project.github.io
- Platforms
- The user guide lists macOS, Linux, and Windows as supported operating systems and describes StrictDoc as a command-line terminal program.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Integrations
- StrictDoc supports bidirectional ReqIF conversion for exchanging data with tools such as DOORS or Polarion, and provides a Python API for extending and automating workflows.Read 8 Oct 2026 · strictdoc-project.github.io
- Support
- The project lists GitHub issues and discussions, a mailing list, Discord, email, and weekly open office hours as ways to get help or provide feedback.Read 8 Oct 2026 · strictdoc-project.github.io
- License
- StrictDoc is open source under the Apache 2.0 license.Read 8 Oct 2026 · strictdoc-project.github.io
- Coverage and change tracking
- StrictDoc can report source-code coverage by requirements and generate diffs and changelogs between document-tree versions.Read 8 Oct 2026 · strictdoc-project.github.io
- Custom fields
- Custom document grammars let users define project-specific requirement fields and mark them as mandatory.Read 8 Oct 2026 · strictdoc.readthedocs.io
- Editing
- StrictDoc provides a browser interface for editing requirements and sections, plus a spreadsheet-style table view.Read 8 Oct 2026 · strictdoc-project.github.io
- Exports
- StrictDoc can publish static HTML and export documents to PDF, ReqIF, Excel, and JSON.Read 8 Oct 2026 · strictdoc-project.github.io
- Input formats
- StrictDoc supports its native SDoc format and a Markdown dialect with traceability features.Read 8 Oct 2026 · strictdoc-project.github.io
- Installation
- The user guide recommends installing StrictDoc with pip and lists Python 3.10 or newer on macOS, Linux, or Windows as requirements.Read 8 Oct 2026 · strictdoc.readthedocs.io
- Plain-text workflow
- StrictDoc stores documentation and requirements as plain-text files in Git.Read 8 Oct 2026 · strictdoc-project.github.io
- Project history
- The project says it started in 2019 and is developed in Python.Read 8 Oct 2026 · strictdoc-project.github.io
- ReqIF limitation
- ReqIF import and export are marked experimental, and workflows may need adjustment because tools structure and name fields differently.Read 8 Oct 2026 · strictdoc.readthedocs.io
- Runtime requirement
- StrictDoc requires Python 3.10 or newer.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Security and compliance use
- StrictDoc is described for safety- and security-critical projects that need traceability under standards such as DO-178C, ECSS, and IEC 62443.Read 8 Oct 2026 · strictdoc-project.github.io
- Self-hosting
- StrictDoc can run a local web server, and the project provides a Docker installation path.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Storage
- It stores documentation and requirements as plain text files that can be versioned with Git.Read 8 Oct 2026 · strictdoc-project.github.io
- Target users
- StrictDoc identifies agile software teams, safety- and security-critical projects, technical documentation teams, and university and research projects as use cases.Read 8 Oct 2026 · strictdoc-project.github.io
- Traceability
- Its traceability matrix shows links among requirements, source code, tests, and test results, including missing or broken links.Read 8 Oct 2026 · strictdoc-project.github.io
Strong points and limits
Strong points
- Plain-text requirements work with Git versioning
- Links requirements to code, tests, and reports
- Custom mandatory fields through document grammars
- Python API for engineering integrations
- Runs locally or through Docker
Limits
- PDF export is experimental
- ReqIF import and export are experimental
- Requires Python 3.10 or newer
- Project workflows may need ReqIF adjustments
Who it suits
StrictDoc suits teams that need Git-versioned requirements, traceability, and document change tracking. Its stated users include agile software teams, safety- and security-critical projects, technical documentation groups, and university or research projects.
Verdict
StrictDoc provides a free, open-source workflow for requirements traceability, version history, and structured documentation. Its broad deployment options are balanced by experimental PDF and ReqIF capabilities and the Python 3.10 runtime requirement.
Where Specifiction places it
- Requirements Management Software#17 of 237.2
