Present tense

Present tense is generally recommended in the technical documentation, as it helps to convey a sense of immediacy and makes the information feel more current and relevant.

Examples

Instructions
When providing instructions or procedures, it is usually best to use present tense to make it clear that the steps should be followed in the present.

For example, To install the software, download the installation file from the website and double-click the file to start the installation process.

Descriptions
When describing features or characteristics of a product or system, present tense is typically used to convey a sense of what the product or system can do in the present.

For example, The feature allows users to create and edit documents easily.

Definitions
When defining terms or concepts, present tense is usually used to describe the meaning or characteristics of the term in the present.

For example, A category is a collection of subcategories and articles.