write-readme
Use when creating, improving, translating, restructuring, or reviewing repository README files. Trigger for full README drafts, GitHub homepage polish, bilingual README work, screenshots/previews, ins
SKILL.mdSKILL.md
GitHubWrite Readme
Purpose
Create README files that read like mature GitHub project home pages: clear title, short value proposition, fast path to usage, scannable highlights, accurate install commands, and a predictable lower section for release, contribution, license, and contact details.
Trigger Discipline
Use this skill even when the README change looks incidental. A README title rename, product-name sync, installer filename update, release URL change, install command update, or README.md entry in a staged/unstaged diff is enough to trigger a README quality pass.
Do not treat README edits as mere release plumbing. If the README is touched, check whether the surrounding structure still reads well on GitHub.
Workflow
- Read the existing README, package metadata, docs, release notes, screenshots, and obvious entry files before rewriting.
- Identify the repo's audience, project type, platform, install path, primary workflow, and whether the README should be bilingual.
- Choose a structure that matches the project:
- Library/framework: summary, install, quick example, documentation, examples, contributing, license.
- App/tool: summary, preview, features, install/download, usage, FAQ, development, license.
- Skill/plugin: purpose, trigger examples, workflow, bundled resources, installation, validation, contact.
- Start with a clear title and one-line summary, add a compact badge row near the top, then give a short feature or highlight list.
- Add a quick-start or usage path early enough that a reader can try the project without hunting.
- Show a preview or screenshot early when visual assets exist.
- Put release, download, or installer links in a dedicated section near the end unless the user explicitly wants them upfront.
- Finish with FAQ, development, contribution, acknowledgements, license, and contact only when they add value or the repo already has those commitments.
- If a centered brand header is appropriate but no real logo asset exists, tell the user the README needs a logo and ask for one before inventing or generating a placeholder.
- If the user wants GitHub statistic badges, resolve
OWNER/REPOfromgit remote -v, package metadata, homepage links, or existing README links before writing badges. If it cannot be resolved, remind the user to provide the GitHub repository path. - If the user wants tech stack badges, infer the stack from real project files such as
package.json,pnpm-lock.yaml,pyproject.toml,requirements.txt,Cargo.toml,go.mod,*.csproj,Dockerfile, CI files, or existing docs. If the stack cannot be confirmed, ask for it.
High-Star README Patterns
Use references/readme-blueprint.md when drafting or restructuring a full README. It summarizes patterns from high-star repositories such as React, Next.js, Vite, and shadcn/ui:
- State what the project is in the first screen.
- Include a compact badge row in every README by default. At minimum, use a verified Markdown format badge; add project-specific badges only when their facts and destinations are confirmed.
- For branded projects, consider a centered hero header: logo, project name, one-line summary, and a compact badge/action row before the first section.
- For GitHub stats, use dynamic shields.io badges for stars, forks, issues, pull requests, release/version, license, downloads, or supported platforms when the repo slug is known.
- For technology stacks, add a compact badge strip for confirmed languages, frameworks, runtimes, package managers, databases, cloud services, or platforms.
- Prefer a small set of strong highlights over a long feature dump.
- Put installation and first-use commands in copy-ready code blocks.
- Link to docs, examples, community, contribution, security, and license sections where relevant.
- Keep maintenance and governance information near the bottom.
Style Rules
- Mirror the feel of
Clash Verge-style READMEs: language switcher first, preview early, release info later, and a clean section hierarchy. - Use plain Markdown links for navigation and downloads. Include badges by default unless the user explicitly requests a badge-free README.
- Start the badge row with a factual Markdown format badge, for example:
. When verified, add dynamic repository statistics, license, release, platform, or technology badges that link to the relevant page. - Keep download links near the bottom when the user prefers that layout.
- If the project is bilingual, either split the README into parallel Chinese/English sections or provide separate
README_zh.mdandREADME_en.mdfiles with a small top switcher. - Keep the prose concise, concrete, and copy-ready. Do not over-explain.
- Avoid promotional clutter unless the user explicitly asks for it.
- Do not invent package names, install commands, license names, download URLs, metrics, or screenshots. Use repo evidence, ask briefly, or leave a clear placeholder.
- Preserve user-provided wording, contact details, and asset placement exactly when they specify them.
- Use HTML only for Markdown features GitHub supports well, such as centered images or fixed-width previews.
- Use a Next.js-style centered header when the user asks for that look:
<p align="center">logo,<h1 align="center">, summary paragraph, then a centered badge row. - Do not create a Next.js-style logo area with a fake, generic, or temporary logo. If no logo is present, remind the user to provide one.
- Do not hard-code fake GitHub counts. Use dynamic shields.io endpoints such as
/github/stars/OWNER/REPO,/github/forks/OWNER/REPO,/github/issues/OWNER/REPO, and/github/issues-pr/OWNER/REPO. - Prefer a compact centered badge strip for the "BongoCat style" the user likes; text links alone are not enough when they ask for synced stars or repository stats.
- Do not invent technology stack badges. Use badges only for technologies confirmed by repo files, docs, or explicit user input.
Structure Template
Use this order when the user wants a full README draft:
# Title
Language links
Short summary
Preview
Features
Installation / Usage
Download / Release
FAQ
Development
Contribution
Acknowledgements
License
Output Expectations
- Return a complete README draft in Markdown.
- Rewrite existing README text instead of only commenting on it.
- Keep the final result ready to paste into GitHub with minimal cleanup.
- If important details are missing, make the smallest sensible assumption and list those assumptions separately.
- For repo edits, update the actual README file and any referenced local assets together.