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READMEs

A guide to constructing an effective and impressive README for your project.

readme-screenshot-example

Example README.md template rendering

Introduction​

Background: A well-crafted README.md is essential for introducing your software repository. It serves as the first point of contact for developers and users, providing a concise and clear overview. This guide offers a template suitable for various software projects, aiding in the creation of effective README files.

Use Cases:

  • Creating an informative and welcoming introduction to your software project.
  • Standardizing README content across various types of software repositories.
  • Enhancing project understanding for contributors and users.
  • Answering questions in a FAQ setting
  • Guiding readers on licensing and who to contact for support

Prerequisites​

  • Basic knowledge of Markdown formatting.
  • Understanding of your project's key features and usage.

Quick Start​

⬇️ README Template (see example)

Download and fill-out our recommended README template to get started on crafting your project's introduction.

Step-by-Step Guide​

  1. Discuss with Your Team: Ensure consensus on adopting the README Template.
  2. Customize the Template:
    • Copy the README Template into a README.md file in your repository.
    • Replace [INSERT ...] placeholders with your project's specifics.
  3. Integrate into Your Project:
    • Link to the CONTRIBUTING.md within your README.md for easy access.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)​

  • Q: What makes a README file effective?
  • A: Clarity, completeness, and relevance of information regarding the project's purpose, usage, and contribution process.

Credits​

Authorship:

Acknowledgements:

  • Inspired by README best practices from NASA-AMMOS, ReactJS, VueJS, and Apache Kafka.

Feedback and Contributions​

We welcome feedback and improvements to this template. See our contribution guidelines.