developer4 sections · 22 items
README Template Sections Cheat Sheet
Standard sections for a well-structured README.md file with descriptions, order guidelines, and markdown formatting tips.
Essential Sections (Every Project)
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Project Title + Badge Row | # Project Name with CI, version, license badges |
| Description | 1–3 sentence overview: what it does, who it's for, why it exists |
| Installation | Step-by-step setup instructions with code blocks |
| Usage / Quick Start | Minimal working example showing core functionality |
| License | State license type with link to LICENSE file |
Recommended Sections
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Features | Bullet list of key capabilities and selling points |
| API Reference / Docs | Link to full docs or inline endpoint/method reference |
| Configuration | Environment variables, config files, and options table |
| Contributing | How to submit issues, PRs, code style, and branch strategy |
| Changelog | Link to CHANGELOG.md or release notes |
| Screenshots / Demo | Visual examples, GIFs, or link to live demo |
Optional Sections
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Table of Contents | Auto-generated for READMEs over ~200 lines |
| Tech Stack | Languages, frameworks, and key dependencies used |
| Roadmap | Planned features with status (planned/in-progress/done) |
| FAQ | Common questions and troubleshooting tips |
| Acknowledgments | Credits for libraries, inspiration, and contributors |
| Support / Contact | How to get help: Discord, email, issue tracker |
Markdown Formatting Tips
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Code blocks | Use triple backticks with language (```bash) |
| Badges | shields.io for CI, version, downloads, license |
| Tables | | Header | Header | for config/API docs |
| Collapsible sections | <details><summary>Click</summary>content</details> |
| Relative links | Use ./docs/FILE.md not absolute URLs |
Tip: Use landscape orientation for wider tables
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