create-project

name

create-project

description

Bootstraps production-ready AlgoKit projects for Algorand dApps and smart contracts. Use when initializing new Algorand smart contract projects, setting up development environments from scratch, or scaffolding dApps with pre-configured tooling. Strong triggers include "create a new project", "initialize a new Algorand app", "start a new smart contract", "set up AlgoKit", "scaffold a dApp", "algokit init".

AlgoKit Project Initialization

Create new Algorand projects using AlgoKit's official templates.

Overview / Core Workflow

1. Confirm project details with user (name, template, customizations)
2. Run algokit init with appropriate flags
3. Handle any initialization errors
4. Provide next steps for building/testing

How to proceed

1. Confirm project details with user:

   • Project name (directory name)
   • Template choice (TypeScript or Python)
   • Any customizations (--no-git, --no-bootstrap, author name)
   • For TypeScript: confirm Production preset for production projects

2. Run initialization command:

   TypeScript (Production Preset):

   algokit init -n <project-name> -t typescript --answer preset "Production" --answer author_name "<name>" --defaults
   

   TypeScript (Starter Preset):

   algokit init -n <project-name> -t typescript --answer author_name "<name>" --defaults
   

   Python (Production Preset):

   algokit init -n <project-name> -t python --answer preset "Production" --answer author_name "<name>" --defaults
   

   Python (Starter Preset):

   algokit init -n <project-name> -t python --answer author_name "<name>" --defaults
   

   With custom options (no git, no bootstrap):

   algokit init -n <project-name> -t typescript --no-git --no-bootstrap --defaults
   

3. Handle errors:

   • Check if project directory already exists
   • Verify AlgoKit is installed: algokit --version
   • Ensure target directory is writable
   • Valid templates: typescript, python, tealscript, react, fullstack, base

4. Provide next steps:

   • cd <project-name>
   • algokit project run build — Compile contracts
   • algokit project run test — Run test suite
   • algokit localnet start — Start local network (if deploying)
   • algokit project run deploy — Deploy contracts to local network

Important Rules / Guidelines

• Always confirm with user before executing — Never run algokit init without explicit confirmation
• Default to TypeScript — Recommended for production applications
• Use Production preset — For any project because it includes testing framework and deployment scripts
• Include author name — Pass --answer author_name "<name>" for attribution
• Use --defaults — Accepts all other default values for non-interactive mode

Common Variations / Edge Cases

Scenario	Approach
Python with TypeScript deployment	--answer deployment_language "typescript"
Existing directory	Check and warn if directory already exists
No Git initialization	Use --no-git flag
No dependency installation	Use --no-bootstrap flag
Custom author name	--answer author_name "Your Name"
Fullstack (frontend + contracts)	Use -t fullstack template
React frontend only	Use -t react template
Standalone (no workspace)	Use --no-workspace flag
Initialize from example	Use algokit init example subcommand

References / Further Reading

• CLI Reference
• AlgoKit CLI Init Documentation
• AlgoKit CLI Init Reference