Simplified Technical English
for Everyone
A modern, open-source standard designed specifically for civilian and commercial technical documentation
What is OpenSTE?
A free, community-driven standard for clear technical communication
Clear Guidelines
OpenSTE provides comprehensive, easy-to-follow guidelines for writing technical documentation that is clear, consistent, and easy to understand, translate, and maintain.
Civilian Focus
OpenSTE is specifically designed for civilian and commercial applications—no restrictive licensing, no military focus. Built from the ground up for commercial use.
Community Powered
Built by technical writers, for technical writers. OpenSTE evolves through community contributions, ensuring it stays relevant and practical.
Who Uses OpenSTE?
Designed for diverse commercial and civilian applications
Commercial Products
User manuals, assembly instructions, and maintenance guides
Software Documentation
API docs, user guides, and technical specifications
Industrial Equipment
Operation manuals, safety procedures, and training materials
Educational Content
Learning materials, course documentation, and tutorials
Healthcare
Medical device instructions and patient information
Multilingual Docs
Content optimized for translation and localization
Key Features
Everything you need for clear, effective technical documentation
Controlled Vocabulary
A carefully curated word list that ensures consistency and clarity in technical writing.
Clear Writing Rules
Simple, actionable grammar and style rules that reduce ambiguity and improve comprehension.
Translation-Friendly
Optimized for both human and machine translation, reducing localization costs.
Open Source
Freely available for commercial and non-commercial use with an active community.
Easy to Implement
Practical guidelines that can be integrated into existing documentation workflows.
Professionally Maintained
Managed by professional technical writers with community input. Every change is validated by experts.
Professional Governance
Maintaining quality through expert oversight and community collaboration
Expert Maintenance Group
OpenSTE guidelines and wordlist are maintained by a dedicated group of professional technical writers with proven track records in the field. This ensures that every aspect of the standard meets the highest quality benchmarks for technical communication.
Community Suggestions Welcome
Everyone is encouraged to suggest additions or alterations to the OpenSTE standard. We value input from technical writers, documentation specialists, and users across all industries.
Validated Changes
Every proposed change or addition undergoes thorough validation by the maintenance group. This rigorous review process ensures consistency, accuracy, and practical applicability.
Join the Maintenance Group
Are you a professional technical writer with expertise in simplified technical English? We're looking for qualified members to join our maintenance team.
Contact: info@openste.orgGet Started in Minutes
Three simple steps to start writing better technical documentation
Review the Guidelines
Familiarize yourself with the OpenSTE writing rules and controlled vocabulary. Our comprehensive documentation makes it easy to get started.
Browse Documentation →Use Our Tools
Access linters, validators, and style checkers to ensure your documentation meets OpenSTE standards automatically.
Explore Tools →Join the Community
Connect with other technical writers, suggest improvements, report issues, and contribute to making OpenSTE even better.
Get Involved →Ready to Improve Your Technical Documentation?
Join the growing community of technical writers, companies, and organizations using OpenSTE to create clearer, more accessible documentation.
Free • Open Source • No Registration Required