# Project Bootstrapping

> Sets up new projects or improves existing projects with development best practices, tooling, documentation, and workflow automation. Use when user wants to start a new project, improve project structure, add development tooling, or establish professional workflows.

- Skill: `tomevault-io/project-bootstrapping` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add tomevault-io/project-bootstrapping`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/tomevault-io/project-bootstrapping/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Docs & Writing
- Author: tomevault-io (https://skillmd.com/u/tomevault-io)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/tomevault-io/project-bootstrapping

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# Overview

Sets up new projects or improves existing projects with development best practices, tooling, documentation, and workflow automation.

## When to Use

- "set up a new project"
- "bootstrap this project"
- "add best practices"
- "improve project structure"
- "set up development tooling"
- "initialize project properly"

## What It Sets Up

### 1. Project Structure
- Standard directories (docs/, .github/, .cursor/, .claude/)
- Logical file organization
- Structure improvements

### 2. Git Configuration
- Comprehensive `.gitignore`
- `.gitattributes` for line endings/diffs
- Git hooks (pre-commit, commit-msg)
- Branch protection patterns


### 3. Documentation
- Comprehensive `README.md`
- `CONTRIBUTING.md`
- Code documentation (JSDoc, docstrings)
- `CHANGELOG.md` structure
- Architecture docs if complex
- MIT License file

### 4. Testing Setup
- Identify/suggest testing framework
- Test structure and conventions
- Example/template tests
- Configure test runners
- Coverage reporting
- Testing scripts/commands

### 5. Code Quality Tools
- Linters (ESLint, Pylint, etc.)
- Formatters (Prettier, Black, etc.)
- Type checking (TypeScript, mypy, etc.)
- Pre-commit hooks for quality
- Editor configs (.editorconfig)
- Code quality badges

### 6. Dependencies Management
- Package manager configuration
- Organize dependencies
- Check security vulnerabilities
- Set up dependency updates (Dependabot, Renovate)
- Create lock files
- Document dependency choices

### 7. Development Workflow
- Useful npm scripts / Makefile targets
- Environment variable templates (.env.example)
- Docker configuration if appropriate
- Development startup scripts
- Hot-reload / watch modes
- Document development workflow

### 8. CI/CD Setup
- GitHub Actions / GitLab CI config
- Automated testing
- Automated deployment (if applicable)
- Status badges
- Release automation
- Branch protection

## Approach

### Discovery Phase

Ask clarifying questions:
1. **Project type**: New or existing?
2. **Primary purpose**: Web app, library, CLI tool?
3. **Language/framework**: JS/TS, Python, Go, etc.?
4. **Collaboration**: Personal or team?
5. **Deployment target**: Server, cloud, mobile, desktop?
6. **Preferences**: Specific tools/frameworks?
7. **Scope**: Full setup or specific areas?

### Implementation Phase

1. **Analyze existing** structure (if existing project)
2. **Create plan** based on answers
3. **Show plan** and get approval
4. **Implement systematically** (one area at a time)
5. **Verify completeness**
6. **Provide handoff** documentation

## Customization

Adapts to:
- **Language ecosystem**: Node.js vs Python vs Go vs Rust
- **Project size**: Small script vs large app
- **Team size**: Solo vs collaborative
- **Maturity**: Startup speed vs enterprise standards

## Success Criteria

- All standard files present and configured
- Clear and complete documentation
- Documented development workflow
- Automated quality tooling (pre-commit hooks)
- Easy test execution
- Follows language/framework conventions
- Quick developer onboarding
- No obvious best practices missing

## Templates

- Node.js/TypeScript web app
- Python CLI tool
- Python web API (FastAPI/Flask)
- React/Next.js app
- Go service
- Rust CLI/library

## Scope Control

- **Full bootstrap**: Everything from scratch
- **Partial setup**: Specific areas only (e.g., "just add testing")
- **Improvement pass**: Enhance existing project
- **Audit + fix**: Check what's missing and add it

---
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<!-- tomevault:4.0:skill_md:2026-04-13 -->