project-init

/project:init

When to Use This Skill

Use this skill when...	Use project-discovery instead when...
Scaffolding a brand-new project from scratch (src/tests/docs, README, CI)	Working in an existing repo that already has structure
Bootstrapping a Python/Node/Rust/Go codebase with universal base layout	Use project-continue instead when picking up work in an established project
Creating a matching GitHub repository alongside the local skeleton	Use project-distill instead when extracting patterns from existing work

Context

• Current directory: !pwd
• Git user: !git config user.name
• GitHub CLI: !which gh

Parameters

• $1: Project name (required)
• $2: Project type (python|node|rust|go|generic) - defaults to generic
• $3: --github flag to create GitHub repository
• $4: --private flag for private repository

Base Project Structure

Create universal project structure that all projects need:

1. Core Directories

mkdir -p $1/{src,tests,docs,.github/workflows}
cd $1

2. Git Setup

git init

3. Base Documentation

README.md:

# $1

## Description
[Project description]

## Installation
See [Installation Guide](docs/installation.md)

## Usage
See [Usage Guide](docs/usage.md)

## Development
See [Development Guide](docs/development.md)

## License
MIT

LICENSE: Create standard MIT license file

.gitignore: Create with common patterns for all languages

4. EditorConfig

.editorconfig:

root = true

[*]
indent_style = space
indent_size = 2
end_of_line = lf
charset = utf-8
trim_trailing_whitespace = true
insert_final_newline = true

[*.{py,rs,go}]
indent_size = 4

[*.md]
trim_trailing_whitespace = false

5. Pre-commit Base Config

.pre-commit-config.yaml:

repos:
  - repo: https://github.com/pre-commit/pre-commit-hooks
    rev: v4.6.0
    hooks:
      - id: trailing-whitespace
      - id: end-of-file-fixer
      - id: check-yaml
      - id: check-json
      - id: check-merge-conflict
      - id: detect-private-key

6. GitHub Actions Base

.github/workflows/ci.yml:

name: CI

on:
  push:
    branches: [main, develop]
  pull_request:
    branches: [main]

jobs:
  lint:
    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
    steps:
      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
      - name: Run linters
        run: echo "Linting step - configure based on project type"

  test:
    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
    steps:
      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
      - name: Run tests
        run: echo "Testing step - configure based on project type"

7. Makefile Base

Create universal Makefile with colored output:

.PHONY: help install test lint format clean

help:
	@echo "Available commands:"
	@echo "  make install - Install dependencies"
	@echo "  make test    - Run tests"
	@echo "  make lint    - Run linters"
	@echo "  make format  - Format code"
	@echo "  make clean   - Clean build artifacts"

install:
	@echo "Installing dependencies..."

test:
	@echo "Running tests..."

lint:
	@echo "Running linters..."

format:
	@echo "Formatting code..."

clean:
	@echo "Cleaning..."

Language-Specific Setup

Base init creates the universal structure only. Language-specific tooling (package manager, linters/formatters, test framework, Dockerfile) is applied afterwards with the configure-plugin skills — see that plugin's README for the current skill list. Do not rely on a single bootstrap command; layer the configure skills you actually need.

GitHub Repository Creation

{{ if $3 == "--github" }} Create GitHub repository. ${4:---public} expands to --private when $4 is --private, otherwise to --public — so exactly one visibility flag is passed (never both):

gh repo create $1 "${4:---public}" --clone
git remote add origin https://github.com/$(gh api user -q .login)/$1.git

{{ endif }}

Final Steps

1. Initialize git hooks: pre-commit install
2. Make initial commit: Use SlashCommand: /git:commit "Initial project structure"
3. Set up CI/CD: Configure based on project type
4. Install dependencies: Use SlashCommand: /deps:install

Next Steps Suggestions

Suggest relevant commands based on project type:

• /test:setup - Set up testing infrastructure
• /git:pr - Create first PR