Check whether a README actually lets a stranger run the project. Use on any repo's README before publishing.
Installation
Install with Codex or Claude Copy this prompt, paste it into Codex, Claude, or another assistant, and let it review the skill page and install it for you.
Check whether a README actually lets a stranger run the project. Use on any repo's README before publishing.
when_to_use
publishing a repo, onboarding docs, "is the README good"
targets
["*"]
README Audit
A README's only job: a stranger clones it and gets to "it works" without asking you.
Check, in order:
One sentence on what it is and who it's for - above the fold.
Install - copy-paste commands that actually work on a clean machine. Test them mentally step by step.
Run / quickstart - the smallest end-to-end example.
Config - required env vars, where secrets go.
No rot - does it reference files/commands/flags that still exist? Stale README is worse than none.
Cut: long philosophy, badges nobody reads, TODO sections. Output: the specific gaps + the fix.