Project Initialization

Use this skill when starting a new project to set up the standard structure and files.

Project Hierarchy

Create the following directory structure:

project/
├── .claude/        # Claude Code settings and memory
├── .git/           # Git version control
├── .gitignore
├── README.md
├── CLAUDE.md
├── requirements.txt  # (optional) pinned dependencies
├── pyproject.toml    # (optional) alternative to requirements.txt
├── setup.sh          # (optional) environment setup script
├── data/           # datasets and data files
├── doc/            # documentation (markdown, PDFs, LaTeX)
├── media/          # images, videos, and GIFs
├── model/          # saved model weights
├── output/         # outputs and errors from running
├── script/         # standalone scripts (shell, examples)
├── src/            # core source code
│   └── utils/      # generic reusable helper modules
└── tests/          # unit and integration tests

Initialization Steps

1. •

   Create directories (only those needed for the project type):

   bash

   mkdir -p data doc media model output script src/utils tests
   

2. •

   Initialize git:

   bash

   git init
   

3. •

   Create .gitignore with common exclusions:

   • •Python: __pycache__/, *.pyc, .venv/, *.egg-info/
   • •Environment: .env, .env.local
   • •IDE: .vscode/, .idea/
   • •OS: .DS_Store, Thumbs.db
   • •Project: output/, model/, .claude/
4. •

   Create README.md with:

   • •Project title and description
   • •Setup instructions
   • •Usage examples
   • •License (if applicable)
5. •

   Create CLAUDE.md with:

   • •Project overview
   • •File roles and architecture
   • •Commands for setup and running
   • •Do Not Modify section (list driver files)
   • •Files You Can Modify section
6. •

   Set up Python environment (if Python project):

   bash

   python -m venv .venv
   source .venv/bin/activate
   pip install <dependencies>
   pip freeze > requirements.txt
   

CLAUDE.md Template

# CLAUDE.md

## Project Overview

[Brief description of what this project does]

## Do Not Modify

- [List driver/framework files here]

## Files You Can Modify

- [List implementation files here]

## Commands

### Setup
\`\`\`bash
python -m venv .venv
source .venv/bin/activate
pip install -r requirements.txt
\`\`\`

### Running
\`\`\`bash
[Add run commands]
\`\`\`

## Architecture

[Describe file roles and structure]

Important Notes

• •Only create directories that are needed for the specific project
• •Do NOT modify CLAUDE.md after initial creation unless explicitly asked
• •Keep existing files in root directory; don't move them unless user specifies
• •Ask user about project type and requirements before initializing