project-structure-guide

name	project-structure-guide
scope	universal
description	Guide for organizing project directories following language-specific best practices. Use when: creating projects, reorganizing structure, adding modules, setting up builds, deciding file placement. Keywords: project, structure, directory, layout, gitignore, scaffold, file placement, utils, helpers, shared, where to put.

Project Structure Guide

Language: English | 繁體中文

Version: 1.1.0 Last Updated: 2026-03-04 Applicability: Claude Code Skills

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Purpose

This skill provides guidance on structuring projects according to language and framework conventions. It helps create consistent, maintainable directory layouts.

[Physical Binding]

Reality Check

Before confirming the project structure is valid, you MUST:

1. Run the validator: uds check --standard project-structure
2. IF exit_code != 0:
   • Read the error message (e.g., "Missing required directories").
   • Report the violation to the user.
   • Suggest specific commands (mkdir ...) to fix it.
   • RETRY validation after fixes are applied.

Trigger

Use this skill when:

• Creating a new project
• Reorganizing existing project structure
• Adding new modules or features
• Setting up build configuration
• Creating .gitignore files
• Deciding where to place a file (code, docs, config, asset)
• Choosing between utils/, helpers/, shared/, lib/, or internal/
• Placing development artifacts (brainstorms, RFCs, POCs, investigations)

Supported Languages

Language	Frameworks/Patterns
Node.js	Express, NestJS, Next.js
Python	Django, Flask, FastAPI
Java	Spring Boot, Maven, Gradle
.NET	ASP.NET Core, Console
Go	Standard layout, cmd/pkg
Rust	Binary, Library, Workspace
Kotlin	Gradle, Android, Multiplatform
PHP	Laravel, Symfony, PSR-4
Ruby	Rails, Gem, Sinatra
Swift	SPM, iOS App, Vapor

Common Structure Patterns

Standard Directories

project-root/
├── src/              # Source code
├── tests/            # Test files
├── docs/             # Documentation
├── tools/            # Build/deployment scripts
├── examples/         # Usage examples
├── config/           # Configuration files
└── .github/          # GitHub configuration

Build Output (Always gitignore)

dist/                 # Distribution output
build/                # Compiled artifacts
out/                  # Output directory
bin/                  # Binary executables

Language-Specific Guidelines

Node.js

project/
├── src/
│   ├── index.js
│   ├── routes/
│   ├── controllers/
│   ├── services/
│   └── models/
├── tests/
├── package.json
└── .gitignore

Python

project/
├── src/
│   └── package_name/
│       ├── __init__.py
│       └── main.py
├── tests/
├── pyproject.toml
└── .gitignore

Go

project/
├── cmd/
│   └── appname/
│       └── main.go
├── internal/
├── pkg/
├── go.mod
└── .gitignore

Quick Actions

Create Project Structure

When asked to create a project:

1. Ask for language/framework
2. Generate appropriate directory structure
3. Create essential config files
4. Generate .gitignore

Review Structure

When reviewing existing structure:

1. Check language conventions
2. Verify gitignore patterns
3. Suggest improvements
4. Identify misplaced files

Rules

1. Follow language conventions - Each language has established patterns
2. Separate concerns - Keep source, tests, docs separate
3. Gitignore build outputs - Never commit dist/, build/, out/
4. Consistent naming - Use language-appropriate casing
5. Config at root - Place config files at project root
6. Disambiguate directories - utils/ (stateless, generic), helpers/ (layer-bound), shared/ (cross-module), lib/ (wrapped deps)
7. Working docs in docs/working/ - Brainstorms, RFCs, POCs, investigations go in docs/working/ with lifecycle management
8. Generated code separated - Place in src/generated/{type}/, never mix with hand-written code

Next Steps Guidance | 下一步引導

After /project-structure completes, the AI assistant should suggest:

專案結構已建立或審查完成。建議下一步 / Project structure created or reviewed. Suggested next steps:

• 執行 /sdd 開始規格驅動開發，將專案結構納入正式規格 ⭐ Recommended / 推薦 — 確保結構決策有規格追蹤 / Ensures structure decisions are tracked in specs
• 執行 /docs 產生專案文件（README、ARCHITECTURE.md 等） — 讓結構決策有文件記錄 / Document structure decisions
• 執行 /ai-friendly-architecture 設定 AI 上下文配置 — 讓 AI 助手更好地理解專案結構 / Help AI assistants understand the project structure

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Related Standards

• Core: Project Structure
• Core: Documentation Structure
• Guide: File Placement Decision Guide
• AI: Project Structure Options