README

documentation
README
Last reviewed

March 7, 2025

Last modified

April 11, 2025

A README file is essential for your software project as it helps users understand the purpose of your project, how to install and use it, and how to contribute. While the specific content of a README can vary from project to project, a good README should always include the following sections:

  1. The purpose of the project.
  2. How to cite the project.
  3. Installation and usage instructions.
  4. The terms under which the software is distributed (license).

Project purpose

Clearly explain the purpose of your project, including its motivation and objectives. This section should serve as an introductory overview, helping users and contributors understand the essence of your project.

Consider adding:

  • Background information
  • Comparison with alternatives, highlighting what sets your project apart
  • Links to related references or documentation

How to cite

If you want users to cite your project when they use it, provide a citation in this section, referring to a publication or DOI of the software.

For more information about citing the project, see the citation guide.

Installation and usage

This section should explain the steps needed to set up and use the software. Before installation, users must be aware of any prerequisites or dependencies that are required. This can include specific versions of programming languages, libraries, operating systems, data, and hardware.

Installation steps

Provide a step-by-step guide for installation. This can involve downloading the software from a repository, compiling code, or using a package manager. Consider using package managers, such as pip or conda, to simplify the installation.

Example: The scikit-learn GitHub repository provides a good example of the Installation section of a README.

Usage

You can include the simplest possible usage example directly in the README and provide more complex examples in additional files or links.

Example: The TensorFlow GitHub repository gives a small usage sample after installation instructions and provides a link with additional examples and tutorials.

License

Your README should specify the licensing terms. For more information, see the License guide.

Tip

It is recommended to write README’s in markdown (README.md) formatting and placed in the project’s top-level directory. If you find your README is becoming too long, consider incorporating additional documentation files instead of omitting important details.

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