NOTE: this is a template for README, each README file should be project oriented
Clear documentation is critical to the success of your project. This checklist is meant to help you cover all your bases. Not every section/subsection will be relevant to your project; pick and choose what is. Inspired by READMEs of very successful projects like etcd.
Please copy-paste this into a new document and save as you build your READMEs. For alternative formats, you might create a Structured README, which offers a thorough breakdown of optional README ingredients for you to consider. You might also take a look at this similar checklist; or check out art-of-readme.
- Describe very briefly but clearly what the project does.
- State if it is out-of-the-box user-friendly, so it’s clear to the user.
- List its most useful/innovative/noteworthy features.
- State its goals/what problem(s) it solves.
- Note and briefly describe any key concepts (technical, philosophical, or both) important to the user’s understanding.
- Link to any supplementary blog posts or project main pages.
- Note its development status.
- Include badges.
- If possible, include screenshots and demo videos.
- Why does it exist?
- Frame your project for the potential user.
- Compare/contrast your project with other, similar projects so the user knows how it is different from those projects.
- Highlight the technical concepts that your project demonstrates or supports. Keep it very brief.
- Keep it useful.
Include any essential instructions for:
- Getting it
- Installing It
- Configuring It
- Running it
- Versioning: Services, APIs, Systems
- Common Error Messages/related details
- Tests
- Is it a Swift project? Please take a look at Mattt Thompson & Nate Cook's Swift documentation guide
- Contributor Guidelines
- Code Style/Requirements
- Format for commit messages
- Thank you (name contributors)
- Next steps
- Features planned
- Known bugs (shortlist)
- Email address
- Google Group/mailing list (if applicable)
- IRC or Slack (if applicable)