README Style Guide
Write concise, direct README files for experienced engineers.
Principles
- •No fluff - Skip tables of contents, verbose explanations, development history
- •No roadmaps - Document current state only, not plans or decisions
- •No repetition - Each fact appears once
- •No marketing language - Avoid "next generation", "production ready", "powerful"
- •Direct voice - State facts, not opinions
Structure Template
markdown
# Component Name One-line description of what it does. ## Usage \`\`\`bash ./install.sh ./uninstall.sh \`\`\` ## Components/Architecture | Component | Description | |-----------|-------------| | Item 1 | What it is | | Item 2 | What it is | ## Configuration Key variables and their purpose. Use tables for structured data. ## Verification \`\`\`bash # Essential verification commands only kubectl get pods -n namespace \`\`\` ## File Structure (optional) \`\`\`text component/ ├── install.sh ├── uninstall.sh └── manifests/ \`\`\`
Guidelines
Include
- •Purpose (one line)
- •Install/uninstall commands
- •Key configuration (tables preferred)
- •Verification commands
- •File structure (if non-obvious)
Exclude
- •Tables of contents
- •Prerequisites lists (assume competent audience)
- •Verbose troubleshooting guides
- •Development decisions/history
- •Future plans/roadmaps
- •Lengthy explanations of concepts
- •Multiple examples of similar things
Formatting
- •Tables for structured data (components, variables, test coverage)
- •Code blocks for commands and examples
- •Bold for emphasis sparingly
- •No emojis unless explicitly requested
Example Transformation
Before (verbose):
markdown
## Purpose This module provides comprehensive networking infrastructure including Virtual Networks, Subnets, Network Security Groups, and NAT Gateways. The architecture follows Azure best practices for hub-spoke topology... ### Why We Made These Decisions After evaluating several approaches, we decided to use service endpoints because they provide a simpler implementation path without requiring...
After (concise):
markdown
# Networking Module Creates VNet, subnets, NSG, NAT Gateway, and service endpoints. ## Architecture \`\`\`text VNet (10.x.0.0/22) ├── Main Subnet (10.x.0.0/24) - AKS nodes └── AGW Subnet (10.x.1.0/24) - Application Gateway \`\`\`