This analyzer provides a code fix that gives you the opportunity to pull through documentation from a base class or interface member. For example, if you have this interface:

interface IMyInterface 
{
    /// <summary>
    /// This method does something
    /// </summary>
    void DoSomething();
}

And this class:

class MyClass : IMyInterface
{
    public void DoSomething();
}

The code fix will allow you to pull through the documentation from the interface declaration to the class, resulting in this:

class MyClass : IMyInterface
{
    /// <summary>
    /// This method does something
    /// </summary>
    public void DoSomething();
}

Alternatively, it will give the option to insert <inheritdoc/> instead (or even switch between the two):

class MyClass : IMyInterface
{
    /// <inheritdoc/>
    public void DoSomething();
}

Finally, it also offers the ability to "promote" documentation to a base class member, in the event that the derived member is correct. For example, before:

class BaseClass
{
    /// <summary>
    /// This doc is wrong
    /// </summary>
    public virtual void DoSomething() {}
}

class Derived : BaseClass
{
    /// <summary>
    /// This doc is right
    /// </summary>
    public override void DoSomething() {}
}

After:

class BaseClass
{
    /// <summary>
    /// This doc is right
    /// </summary>
    public virtual void DoSomething() {}
}

class Derived : BaseClass
{
    /// <inheritdoc />
    public override void DoSomething() {}
}

The diagnostic is hidden and will show up if you open the quick actions lightbulb when:

• Your cursor is on a member name
• One of the following is true:
  • The base member (see below) has documentation and the override member does not
  • The override member has <summary> documentation (giving you the option to switch to <inheritdoc>)
  • The override member has <inheritdoc> (giving you the option to switch to <summary>)
  • The override member has <summary> documentation and it is different than the base member. This will give you the opportunity to promote the docs to the base member.

The "base member" can be located in

• A class in the same solution, like MyClass.BaseMember() (this works the best as the documentation is available in the source code)
• An external library, like Object.ToString(). This should mostly work, but does have some limitations and caveats - see this issue if you are having problems with the analyzer/code fix. If you don't think your problem falls into any of the caveats outlined, submit a new issue.
  • Note: For the case in which you are trying to promote the documentation, external libraries are not supported.

Installation

You can install one of two ways

• Visual Studio extension
  • This will make it available for all projects
• Nuget Package (Package Name: PullThroughDoc)
  • This will make it available for the specific project you installed it on

Diagnostics Added

The following diagnostics are provided (with code fixes)

• PullThroughDoc01 - Gives you the option to insert the <summary> tag from the base member to the overridden member, or just use <inheritdoc>
• PullThroughDoc02 - Swaps a <summary> documentation with <inheritdoc>
• PullThroughDoc03 - Swaps <inheritdoc> to <summary> from the base member
• PullThroughDoc04 - Promotes the <summary> documentation from the override member to the base member and inserts <inheritdoc> in it's place. The base member must exist in the source code of the solution.

If you would like to disable any of these, use the editor config. Example:

dotnet_diagnostic.PullThroughDoc04.severity = none