How to structure your README file – README template example

As a developer who aspires to be a founder, building your first startup can be filled with excitement and ideas. The worst thing that can happen to you is to jump straight into the coding part. I was in this situation and the last thing on my mind was writing a readme file.

I thought, “I’ll add it later.” But the “later” never came.

Weeks turned into months, and my once simple idea turned into chaos. A developer involved in my project had no idea how to set it up. Even I, the founder, started to forget the way I set up some parts of the app.

What was supposed to be a few months of development has grown to almost a year. All because I overlooked a small file: Readme.

In this article, you will learn how to create your README file to display all the important information about your project. You can see what it will look like here: MyBrand Name Repo.

Table of Contents

The README file is not just a formality

Many beginners see Redmi as optional. But this is not the right mindset.

Your Radium is your project map. It tells any developer (including your future one) where to start, how to set up the environment, and how everything connects. This saves time, reduces frustration, and turns a pile of code into a usable, understandable project.

If someone can clone your repository and run it in less than 10 minutes, your redmi did its job!

The README structure

Your README acts like a user manual for any developer who clones your repository. This should guide a developer in:

• Clone the repo.

• Install dependencies.

• Configure environment variables.

• Run both backend and frontend successfully.

• Understand how the system works.

Let me walk you through a sample project called My brand name.

This is what readme looks like:

MyBrand Name – AI Branding Assistant

MyBrand Name is an AI-powered platform that helps startups create a complete brand identity—logos, stories, and marketing assets.

Features

• AI powered branding – Instantly create logos, brand stories, and marketing assets using OpenAI.

• Validation – User login and registration powered by Soapbase.

• Database – Soapbase for storing users, brands, assets, and subscription data.

• Front end – Responsive UI built with TypeScript, White, and Tailwindix.

• Backend API – Node.js + Express AI handles generation, validation, and data management.

• Subscription Management – Stripe integration for plan upgrades and payments.

• Continuous Integration (CI) – Create automated testing and workflows with GitHub Actions.

• Versioning and Channellog – Semantic version with clear project evolution record.

• Deployment is ready – Easily deploy front-end (versal) and back-end (render) with spabase integration.

Tech stack

• Runtime: node. JS + Express. JS.

• Language: Typescript.

• Front End: White + Tailwind CSS.

• Database and author: Soupbase (database, storage, authentication)
  AI Service: OpenAI API (logo, story, and content production).

• HTTP Client: Axios/Retrieval API.

• CI/CD: GitHub Actions (automated testing and deployment).

• Hosting: Versal (front end) + Render (backend)

Quick start

Conditions

• node.js 16+

• Soap Base Project (for authentication, database, and storage)

• Openai API key (for AI-powered logo and content generation)

• Strip account (To deal with subscription and payment)

Installations

1. Clone the repository

git clone .git

2. Install dependencies

cd backend && npm install
cd ../frontend && npm install

3. Environment setup

cp backend/.env.example backend/.env

update .env With your configuration:

• Soapbase URL and API key

• Openai API key

• Stripe API key

4. Development

cd backend && npm run dev


cd frontend && npm run dev

5. Build production

npm run build
npm start

See:

Storage structure

/mybrandname
├── /frontend
│   ├── /src
│   │   ├── /components        
│   │   ├── /pages             
│   │   ├── /hooks             
│   │   ├── /lib               
│   │   ├── /styles            
│   │   ├── App.tsx            
│   │   └── main.tsx           
│   ├── public/                
│   ├── tailwind.config.ts     
│   ├── vite.config.ts         
│   └── package.json           
│
├── /backend
│   ├── /src
│   │   ├── /routes            
│   │   ├── server.ts          
│   │   └── config/            
│   └── package.json           
│
└── README.md

Architecture review

Front end

• Built with Typescript + Wit + Tailwind CSS

• Integrates with SoupBase for authentication, a backup API for AI generation, and Stripe for payments

The rear

• Built with Node.js + Express

• Validation, AI content generation, and writes to database via Soupbase

Soup Base Tables

For example API endpoints

Auth routes

Branding avenues

Example application:

POST /api/brand/logo
{
  "brandName": "NovaTech",
  "industry": "Tech",
  "style": "Modern Minimal"
}

Example answer:

{
  "logoUrl": "https://supabase.storage/novatech-logo.png",
  "palette": ("#121212", "#FF005C")
}

Validation (SOAP base)

import { createClient } from '@supabase/supabase-js';

const supabase = createClient(
  import.meta.env.VITE_SUPABASE_URL,
  import.meta.env.VITE_SUPABASE_KEY
);

Environmental variables

Testing

Use wittest/mock for unit testing and supertest for API routes.

npm run test

Continuous Integration (CI)

CI automatically runs tests when you push new code. This ensures that your main branch is always stable.

Example GitHub action workflow:

name: MyBrandName CI
on: (push, pull_request)
jobs:
  build:
    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
    steps:
      - uses: actions/checkout@v3
      - run: |
          cd backend && npm ci && npm run test
          cd ../frontend && npm ci && npm run build

Indications: CI helps avoid “it works on my machine” problems.

Versioning and Channellog

a CHANGELOG.md Updates to file documents.
use Semantic versioning (major.minor.pitch)for example,
1.1.0 New features added.

Partnership

We welcome contributions from developers who want to make improvements My brand name!
Follow these steps to contribute effectively:

• Repository fork

  • Click on the fork button on GitHub to create your own copy of the project.

• Clone your fork

    git clone .git

• Create a feature branch

  • Keep your changes organized:

    git checkout -b feat/your-feature-name

    npm run lint

    npm run test

• Document your changes

• Submit a Pull Request (PR)

• Participate in code reviews

  • Respond to feedback, make improvements, and help maintain project quality.

Code of Conduct

To maintain a positive and inclusive community, all contributors are expected to:

• Be respectful, kind and patient when interacting with others.

• Welcome feedback and engage in constructive discussions.

• Avoid discriminatory or offensive language.

• Focus on collaboration and problem solving rather than criticism.

• Credit to other contributors where due.

• Report any violations or concerns privately to caregivers.

Let’s work together My brand name A project where everyone is valued and helps. 💙

Deployment

License

This project is licensed under the MIT License – see the license file for details.

GitHub repository

You can clone the GitHub repo, modify and build your app from it: MyBrand Name Repo.

Developer checklist

Think of this checklist Final review Before sharing your app publicly:

1. Soapbase authentication is working

• Test your login and registration flow.

• Try creating a new account and logging in.

• Ensure that user data is correctly displayed in the Soupbase “Users” table.

2. AI endpoints return appropriate results

• Test your backend endpoints for AI-powered features (for example, logo generation).

• Use tools like The postman To send sample requests.

• Verify that Soapbase stores generated data or files correctly.

3. The front end is responsible

• Open your app on a mobile device and desktop browser.

• Make sure the design adjusts properly to different screen sizes.

• Check for broken buttons, misspelled text, or hidden sections.

4. Continuous integration (CI) test pass

• If you use GitHub Actions, make sure your tests run automatically when you push the code.

• Fix any failed tests before merging the branches.

• This helps you catch bugs early.

5. Documentation files are complete

• Make sure of yourself Readmefor , for , for , . Partnershipand changelog The files are up to date.

• Update setup steps, contribution guidelines, and notes.

• This makes your repo beginner friendly and professional.

Run through your Readme Quick start section as if you were a new user.
If you can set up this project in less than 10 minutes, your documentation is pretty clear.

Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them (Beginner Friendly)

Here are some common mistakes new developers make and how you can avoid them:

Problem: Hardcoding API keys

Never store API keys directly in your code. If you push your projects to GitHub, anyone can see them.

Solution: Store them in one .env File and Add .env to .gitignore.

Problem: No quick start section

If your readme app doesn’t explain how to install and run, other developers will be lost.

Solution: Always include a Quick start Section showing installation and setup steps.

Problem: Missing example requests or screenshots

Readers want to see what your API or app does before they try it.

Solution: For example include API requests and responses (eg /api/brand/logo example). You can also add screenshots of the UI.

Problem: Confused folder structure

A messy project makes it difficult for contributors to navigate your code.

Solution: Explain your folder structure under “Storage Structure”. Include a brief description of each folder’s functions.

Problem: Forgetting to version your project

If you don’t track changes, it’s hard to know what was updated or fixed.

Solution: use Semantic versioning For centuries.1.0.0for , for , for , . 1.1.0and so on) and keep a simple Changelog.md File

Problem: No testing before deployment

Beginners often deploy without testing – and find bugs later in production.

Solution: Run your tests locally first. Automate using them GitHub Actions So that each code change is confirmed.

By solving these simple problems quickly, you’ll create reliable, professional-looking projects that others can understand and easily contribute to.

💡 What can you learn from it?

A good README file saves you from:

• Wasting hours of wasted setup problems

• A confused colleague or tester

• Forgetting your own logic after months

This makes your project look professional to employers and recruiters.

Last words

When I finally accepted writing readme files, everything changed. New colleagues quickly understood my plans. Deployment went smoothly. And most importantly, I never had to learn “the hard way.”

So if you’re just starting out, take my advice: Before you write your next line of code, write your readme file.