External Reviewers in Docs-as-Code: The Problem Nobody Solves Well
Outside legal counsel, SMEs, and client stakeholders all need to review documentation that lives in GitHub. None of them have GitHub accounts. None of them are getting one. Here's how to handle it without copying content into Google Docs.
Outside legal counsel reviewing terms of service updates. A localisation agency checking translated content. An external SME hired for a specific project. All of these people need to read and comment on documentation that lives in your GitHub repository. None of them have GitHub accounts. None of them are getting one.
The default answer — exporting content to Google Docs — creates exactly the kind of version drift docs-as-code is supposed to eliminate. By the time you've reconciled two rounds of feedback from a Google Doc that has diverged from the source, the time savings have evaporated.
Our docs-as-code reviews guide covers this case in detail: how external review links work, what the security model looks like (password-protected, time-limited, revocable), and when to use them. If you're running into this problem, that's the place to start.
Share any PR with external reviewers — no GitHub account needed.
Generate a password-protected review link for any documentation PR. Reviewers comment and suggest edits in a visual editor. Their feedback flows back to your PR as native Suggested Changes.
Sign in with GitHub14-day free trial — no credit card required. Free for public repos.