| name | init-readme |
| description | Generate a polished, accurate README.md from a repository by inspecting code, config, and structure. Use when bootstrapping a README, refreshing docs, or the user asks for project overview/getting started instructions. |
| license | Apache-2.0 |
| compatibility | Requires git; may use language tooling depending on project (go, node, python, rust). |
| metadata | {"source":".prompts/init-readme.md","version":"1.0"} |
Create a Polished README.md for Any Project
Goal
Produce a high-quality README.md:
- Clear title + short tagline
- Optional logo
- Relevant badges
- Conversational hook
- “What is ?” section
- Getting Started with minimal, copy-pasteable examples
- Structure table of key packages/modules
- Friendly closing
Keep it accurate (no hallucinations), concise, and developer-friendly.
Tooling You May Use
- Repo metadata & history
git --no-pager log -n 20 --oneline
git --no-pager ls-files
git remote get-url origin
- Language fingerprints (pick what applies)
- Go:
go list -m (module path), check for go.mod
- Node: read
package.json
- Python:
pyproject.toml / setup.cfg
- Rust:
Cargo.toml
- Code & examples discovery
- Search
examples/, cmd/, docs/, internal/, pkg/, src/
- Look for a logo in
docs/img/*, assets/*, logo.*
- Coverage/CI hints
- Look for
codecov.yml, GitHub Actions in .github/workflows, etc.
Rule: Prefer facts from code/config over assumptions. If unsure, add a small “(optional)” note or omit.
Rules & Style
- Tone: friendly, crisp, “smart brevity” with tiny hints of personality.
- Accuracy: verify claims from code/tests; don’t invent features.
- Examples: minimal, runnable; show the shortest path to value.
- Badges: only include ones you can confidently compute (repo, language, docs).
- Links: prefer relative links for in-repo assets (e.g.,
docs/img/logo.png).
- Emojis: tasteful in headings (e.g., section icons) but don’t overdo it.
What to Extract
- Project name (language artifact or repo name)
- One-line tagline (what it is + why it matters)
- Logo path if present
- Badges (selectively based on tech & repo):
- GitHub default branch, Go version, Codecov, Docs site (pkg.go.dev/docs.rs/PyPI/npm), Go Report Card, CI status
- Core features (from code & docs)
- Getting Started:
- Library: install/import + minimum example
- CLI: install + first command + basic usage
- Service: install + how to run + basic API call
- Structure: key packages/modules with short descriptions + doc links
- Closing: short call for feedback/PRs
Output Format (write exactly this structure)
# <ProjectName> <optional emoji>
<optional logo image, if found>
**<Short tagline (1 line)>**
<Badges block (only if resolvable)>
---
<1–3 paragraph hook that frames the pain/problem and why this project helps. Keep it human.>
---
## 🧠 What is <ProjectName>?
<Explain what it does, who it’s for, and the main use cases. Bullet the top 3–5 benefits.>
- <Benefit 1>
- <Benefit 2>
- <Benefit 3>
---
## 🚀 Getting Started
### Installation
<Show language-appropriate install. Examples:>
- **Go (library)**
```bash
go get <module-path>
Minimal Example
<Provide the smallest runnable example. Use the project’s primary entry points.>
<tiny, working example>
<Optional: second example demonstrating a standout feature.>
🧱 Structure
<Brief sentence: “The project is organized into focused modules so you can depend only on what you need.”>
| Module/Path | Description | Docs |
|---|
<path/pkg> | <1-line summary> | Reference |
<path/pkg2> | <1-line summary> | Reference |
(Add 2–6 rows; keep it tight.)
📦 Tech & Integrations (optional)
- Language/Runtime: <e.g., Go 1.22, Node 20, Python 3.11>
- Key dependencies: <e.g., net/http, cobra, sqlx>
- Builds/CI: <e.g., GitHub Actions, Makefile targets>
✅ Status & Roadmap (optional)
- Current status: <alpha/beta/stable>
- Near-term: <3 bullets of planned work or invite contributions>
🤝 Contributing
PRs welcome! Please see CONTRIBUTING.md (if present) and open an issue for discussion.
📄 License
<Emoji + Project Vibe>!
<Short, friendly sign-off encouraging issues/PRs. One tasteful emoji.>
---
## Badge Heuristics (the agent should apply automatically)
- **Repo**: parse `git remote get-url origin` → `<host>/<owner>/<repo>`
- **Go**:
- Go version: `https://img.shields.io/github/go-mod/go-version/<owner>/<repo>`
- Go Reference: `https://pkg.go.dev/badge/<module-path>.svg` → link to `https://pkg.go.dev/<module-path>`
- Go Report Card: `https://goreportcard.com/badge/<module-path>` → link to report
- **Coverage (if Codecov present)**:
- `https://codecov.io/gh/<owner>/<repo>/branch/<default-branch>/graph/badge.svg`
- **General CI (if GH Actions workflows exist)**:
- `https://github.com/<owner>/<repo>/actions` (use named workflow badge if known)
- **Other ecosystems** (only if confident):
- Rust: `docs.rs` badge; crates.io version
- Python: PyPI version; Read the Docs
- Node: npm version; bundle size (optional)
If any badge cannot be resolved confidently, **omit it**.
---
## Minimal Algorithm
1. Detect language & module/package name from project files.
2. Derive repo `<owner>/<repo>` from `git remote`.
3. Find optional logo path (`docs/img/*`, `assets/*`, `logo.*`).
4. Enumerate modules/paths (limit to top 2–6 user-facing).
5. Locate/compose a minimal “hello world” example for the main use case.
6. Assemble the README using the **Output Format**.
7. Validate links (badge URLs, docs references) exist; remove any broken ones.
8. Output final Markdown only (no extra commentary).