LEGO building instructions have evolved significantly since their inception. Early "guidance" in 1955 included drawings on packaging and inspirational "idea books." The introduction of the "LEGO System in Play" concept in 1955 necessitated more explicit instructions for specific models, though encouragement for alternate builds persisted.

Internal discussions in the 1960s debated the balance between providing instructions and fostering imaginative free building. As LEGO sets grew more complex after 1958, instructions became more detailed, incorporating color-coding. External companies became involved, notably Palle Munch, Grafisk tegnestue & Reklamebureau, which drew instructions from 1967 to 2003.

The early 1980s saw the formation of a dedicated instruction team and a shift to computer-based tools. In 1984, a new drawing tool called 'Panter' was developed based on a 3D software called 'Monster,' revolutionizing instruction creation and remaining in use for 17 years.