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readme-standards

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README.md templates and standards. Use when generating or improving README files, checking README compliance, or applying README best practices.

General

What this skill does


# README Standards (v2025.1)

## When to Use This Skill

| Use this skill when... | Use `configure-readme` instead when... |
|---|---|
| You need the canonical README templates (minimal, standard, detailed) for reference | You want to audit or generate a project's README end-to-end as an interactive workflow |
| You are checking an existing README against the documented section conventions | You want runtime context detection (package files, badges, logos) before writing |
| Another skill needs to cite the badge or section taxonomy | The user asked you to actually create or fix a README |

This skill provides README.md templates and standards for projects.

## Overview

A well-structured README is the front door to your project. It should:
- Immediately communicate what the project does
- Look professional with proper branding
- Provide clear getting started instructions
- Be scannable with good visual hierarchy

## Template Styles

### Minimal Style

Best for: Libraries, small utilities, internal tools

```markdown
# project-name

[![License](https://img.shields.io/github/license/OWNER/REPO)](LICENSE)

Brief description of what this project does.

## Installation

```bash
npm install package-name
```

## Usage

```javascript
import { feature } from 'package-name';
feature();
```

## License

MIT
```

### Standard Style (Recommended)

Best for: Most projects, applications, services

```markdown
<div align="center">

<img src="assets/logo.png" alt="Project Logo" width="128">

# Project Name

**A compelling tagline that explains the project's purpose**

[![License](https://img.shields.io/github/license/OWNER/REPO)](LICENSE)
[![GitHub stars](https://img.shields.io/github/stars/OWNER/REPO)](https://github.com/OWNER/REPO/stargazers)
[![CI](https://img.shields.io/github/actions/workflow/status/OWNER/REPO/ci.yml?branch=main)](https://github.com/OWNER/REPO/actions)
[![TypeScript](https://img.shields.io/badge/TypeScript-5.x-blue)]()

</div>

## Features

- **Feature One** - Description of the first key capability
- **Feature Two** - Description of the second key capability
- **Feature Three** - Description of the third key capability
- **Feature Four** - Description of the fourth key capability

## Tech Stack

| Category | Technology |
|----------|------------|
| Runtime | Bun 1.x |
| Framework | Fastify |
| Frontend | React 18, Vite |
| Database | SQLite (Drizzle ORM) |
| Testing | Vitest, Playwright |

## Getting Started

### Prerequisites

- [Bun](https://bun.sh) >= 1.0
- [Node.js](https://nodejs.org) >= 20 (optional)

### Installation

```bash
# Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/OWNER/REPO.git
cd REPO

# Install dependencies
bun install

# Start development server
bun run dev
```

### Development Commands

```bash
bun run dev      # Start development server
bun run build    # Build for production
bun run test     # Run tests
bun run lint     # Run linter
```

## Project Structure

```
project-name/
├── src/
│   ├── client/          # Frontend React application
│   │   ├── components/  # UI components
│   │   └── stores/      # State management
│   ├── server/          # Backend Fastify server
│   │   ├── routes/      # API endpoints
│   │   └── services/    # Business logic
│   └── shared/          # Shared types and utilities
├── tests/               # Test files
├── docs/                # Documentation
└── README.md
```

## Contributing

Contributions are welcome! Please feel free to submit a Pull Request.

## License

This project is licensed under the [MIT License](LICENSE).
```

### Detailed Style

Best for: Open source projects, documentation-heavy projects, developer tools

Includes everything from Standard plus:
- Architecture diagrams (Mermaid)
- API reference section
- Detailed configuration options
- Changelog link
- Security policy
- Code of conduct reference

## Badge Reference

### Repository Status Badges

```markdown
<!-- License -->
[![License](https://img.shields.io/github/license/OWNER/REPO)](LICENSE)

<!-- Stars -->
[![Stars](https://img.shields.io/github/stars/OWNER/REPO)](https://github.com/OWNER/REPO/stargazers)

<!-- Forks -->
[![Forks](https://img.shields.io/github/forks/OWNER/REPO)](https://github.com/OWNER/REPO/network/members)

<!-- Issues -->
[![Issues](https://img.shields.io/github/issues/OWNER/REPO)](https://github.com/OWNER/REPO/issues)

<!-- Last Commit -->
[![Last Commit](https://img.shields.io/github/last-commit/OWNER/REPO)](https://github.com/OWNER/REPO/commits)
```

### CI/CD Status Badges

```markdown
<!-- GitHub Actions -->
[![CI](https://img.shields.io/github/actions/workflow/status/OWNER/REPO/ci.yml?branch=main&label=CI)](https://github.com/OWNER/REPO/actions)

<!-- With specific workflow -->
[![Build](https://img.shields.io/github/actions/workflow/status/OWNER/REPO/build.yml?branch=main&label=build)](https://github.com/OWNER/REPO/actions/workflows/build.yml)

<!-- Codecov -->
[![codecov](https://codecov.io/gh/OWNER/REPO/branch/main/graph/badge.svg)](https://codecov.io/gh/OWNER/REPO)
```

### Package Registry Badges

```markdown
<!-- npm -->
[![npm](https://img.shields.io/npm/v/PACKAGE)](https://www.npmjs.com/package/PACKAGE)
[![npm downloads](https://img.shields.io/npm/dm/PACKAGE)](https://www.npmjs.com/package/PACKAGE)

<!-- PyPI -->
[![PyPI](https://img.shields.io/pypi/v/PACKAGE)](https://pypi.org/project/PACKAGE/)
[![Python Version](https://img.shields.io/pypi/pyversions/PACKAGE)](https://pypi.org/project/PACKAGE/)

<!-- Crates.io -->
[![Crates.io](https://img.shields.io/crates/v/PACKAGE)](https://crates.io/crates/PACKAGE)
[![docs.rs](https://docs.rs/PACKAGE/badge.svg)](https://docs.rs/PACKAGE)

<!-- Go -->
[![Go Reference](https://pkg.go.dev/badge/github.com/OWNER/REPO.svg)](https://pkg.go.dev/github.com/OWNER/REPO)
```

### Technology Badges

```markdown
<!-- Runtime/Language -->
[![TypeScript](https://img.shields.io/badge/TypeScript-5.x-3178C6?logo=typescript&logoColor=white)]()
[![Python](https://img.shields.io/badge/Python-3.12-3776AB?logo=python&logoColor=white)]()
[![Rust](https://img.shields.io/badge/Rust-1.75+-DEA584?logo=rust&logoColor=white)]()
[![Go](https://img.shields.io/badge/Go-1.22-00ADD8?logo=go&logoColor=white)]()

<!-- Runtime -->
[![Bun](https://img.shields.io/badge/Bun-1.x-f9f1e1?logo=bun&logoColor=black)]()
[![Node.js](https://img.shields.io/badge/Node.js-20+-339933?logo=node.js&logoColor=white)]()
[![Deno](https://img.shields.io/badge/Deno-1.x-000000?logo=deno&logoColor=white)]()

<!-- Frameworks -->
[![React](https://img.shields.io/badge/React-18-61DAFB?logo=react&logoColor=black)]()
[![Vue](https://img.shields.io/badge/Vue-3-4FC08D?logo=vue.js&logoColor=white)]()
[![Fastify](https://img.shields.io/badge/Fastify-4-000000?logo=fastify&logoColor=white)]()
[![FastAPI](https://img.shields.io/badge/FastAPI-0.100+-009688?logo=fastapi&logoColor=white)]()
```

## Logo Guidelines

### Recommended Specifications

- **Format**: PNG (with transparency) or SVG
- **Size**: 128x128px to 512x512px
- **Location**: `assets/logo.png` or `assets/icon.svg`

### Centering Logo

```markdown
<div align="center">
<img src="assets/logo.png" alt="Project Name" width="128">
</div>
```

### Using Emoji as Placeholder

If no logo exists:

```markdown
<div align="center">

# 🚀 Project Name

</div>
```

Common project type emojis:
- 🚀 - General/deployment tools
- 🛠️ - Developer tools
- 📊 - Data/analytics
- 🔒 - Security
- 🌐 - Web applications
- 📱 - Mobile apps
- 🤖 - AI/ML projects
- 📦 - Package/library

## Section Guidelines

### Features Section

Write features as benefits, not just capabilities:

**Good:**
```markdown
- **Automatic Scanner Detection** - Discovers eSCL-compatible scanners via mDNS without manual configuration
- **Smart Photo Separation** - Intelligently detects and crops multiple photos from a single scan using edge analysis
```

**Compare — implementation-focused (less effective):**
```markdown
- Uses mDNS for scanner discovery
- Has edge detection algorithm
```

### Tech 

Related in General