The book was authored by both Clare and her husband, Joshua Lewis,[1] and was released on October 29, 2013.

[2] The Shadowhunter's Codex is written in the form of an illustrated handbook: a facsimile of the one given to Clary Fray, the protagonist of The Mortal Instruments series.

[3] This book is Clary Fray's personal copy of the 20th edition of The Shadowhunter's Codex, which contains the history of the Nephilim, or Shadowhunters, as well as information they have compiled.

[4] The 20th edition of the book was intended to be an updated version, to help young Shadowhunters in a modern world, although Clary, and her friends, Jace Herondale and Simon Lewis, felt otherwise.

Throughout the pages are sketches made by Clary, as well as comments by her and her friends.