Improve ToolHive Registry Server documentation structure and completeness

[danbarr]

Overview

The initial Registry Server documentation (PR #348) is comprehensive and technically solid, but needs structural improvements and some missing content to provide a better user experience.

High Priority

1. Add publishing guidance (CRITICAL GAP)

Missing: How do users actually publish MCP servers into the registry?

• Document the file format for Git/local file sources
• Explain Git repository structure and requirements
• Document the /publish API endpoint with examples
• Show the difference between publishing to managed vs file-based registries

2. Create quickstart tutorial

Location: New page in tutorials section

• Get users running in 5 minutes with minimal config
• Use anonymous auth + local file source
• Include a simple example MCP server entry
• Link from intro as the "fast path to experimentation"

3. Fix user journey and navigation

Issue: "Next steps" sections are inconsistent and sometimes circular

• Establish canonical learning path: Intro → Configuration → Authentication → Database → Deployment
• Update all "Next steps" sections to support this progression
• Remove duplicate "Deploy" link in intro.mdx

Medium Priority

4. Resolve intro/index redundancy

Issue: index.mdx is just a landing page, intro.mdx has the actual content

• Consider merging into single entry page, OR
• Make index.mdx more substantive with clear value proposition

5. Expand or refocus deployment documentation

Issue: deployment.mdx is thin (169 lines) and scope is unclear

• Either focus solely on Kubernetes (update title/intro), OR
• Add Docker, local development, and production considerations
• Add a minimal example before the complex one
• Consider adding: scaling guidance, monitoring, upgrade procedures

6. Consider splitting authentication documentation

Issue: authentication.mdx is comprehensive but overwhelming (463 lines)

• Option 1: Split into "Authentication basics" and "Advanced authentication"
• Option 2: Use progressive disclosure with collapsible sections for provider examples
• Keep the excellent security best practices prominent

Low Priority

7. Improve terminology consistency

• Standardize: "ToolHive Registry Server" on first use, "Registry server" thereafter
• Define or replace "knowledge workers" (appears once without context)
• Consistent capitalization throughout

8. Add missing contextual information

• System requirements
• Link to API reference or OpenAPI documentation
• Monitoring and observability guidance
• Upgrade and migration procedures
• Relationship to ToolHive CLI

9. Minor style guide compliance

• Replace occasional "we recommend" with "you should" (second person voice)
• Ensure consistent voice throughout

Related

• PR Add ToolHive Registry documentation #348 (initial documentation)