Most software projects benefit from having a piece of documentation that provides a quick start guide for setting up, using, and contributing to the project. This is especially true in open-source projects where you typically want to attract users and contributors. This type of document is commonly known as a README file, and you should add one to each Python project you create.
In this tutorial, you’ll learn:
- What a
READMEfile is - How to organize a
READMEfile - What document format to use for
READMEfiles - How to prepare a
READMEfile for platforms like PyPI and GitHub - What tools and templates to use to create
READMEfiles
You won’t need special knowledge to read through this tutorial. However, to start creating your own README files, you should familiarize yourself with markup languages, such as Markdown and reStructuredText.
Get Your Template: Click here to download the free template you can use to create your own great README files.
Take the Quiz: Test your knowledge with our interactive “Creating Great README Files for Your Python Projects” quiz. You’ll receive a score upon completion to help you track your learning progress:
Interactive Quiz
Creating Great README Files for Your Python ProjectsTake this quiz to test your understanding of how a great README file can make your Python project stand out and how to create your own README files.
What Is a README File?
A README file is a document that you typically add to the root directory of a software project. It’s often a short guide that provides essential information about the project. The README file aims to help users and developers understand the project’s purpose, how to use it, and how to contribute to it. It’s also a way to communicate with potential users, collaborators, and contributors.
README files are typically plain text files that are the most visible piece of documentation and often the landing page for many software projects, including open-source projects.
In most cases, the file name is written in uppercase letters to draw the user’s attention and ensure it’s the first thing they read.
A README should contain only the necessary information for users, collaborators, and developers to get started using and contributing to your project. For more extended documentation, wikis or dedicated documentation pages are more appropriate and recommended.
Why Do You Need a README in Your Python Projects?
README files have a long history in free and open-source software. The GNU Coding Standards encourage you to include a README to provide a general overview of the package’s contents. However, this type of file isn’t limited to free and open-source projects. You can add a README to any project you like.
Why should you spend time writing a README file for your Python projects? Here are a few general reasons:
READMEfiles are kind of a standard in the software industry.- The
READMEfile is frequently the first thing your users will notice or search for when they find your project. - A good
READMEfile helps your project stand out from other projects. - A high-quality
READMEfile differentiates a good project from a bad one. READMEfiles are often displayed as the project’s landing page on software development platforms like GitHub and GitLab.
From a more specialized point of view, a good README file can help you:
- Introduce the project by providing an overview of what the project is about, its purpose, and its main features.
- Provide guidance by offering instructions on how to set up the project for use and contributions.
- Attract contributors by providing clear guidelines on how to contribute to the project.
- Provide documentation by working as the primary source of documentation for the project.
- Supply support and contact Information by providing details on how to get help or contact the project maintainers.
- Include license information by specifying the terms for using and contributing to the project.
These are just a few of the benefits of adding a README file to your Python projects. So, what do you think? Is it worth it to add them?
What Is the Usual Structure of a Great README File?
First, you should know that there isn’t one right way to structure a high-quality README file. In practice, the content and sections you include in this file will depend on your specific project. However, you’ll find that most README files have common sections, such as the project’s name, the instructions on how to set up and use the project, guidelines for contributing to the project, and similar topics.
In the following sections, you’ll learn about the most commonly used sections in README files and their content.
Common Sections in Great README Files
Before discussing how to organize a README file in a well-structured document with pertinent sections, you’ll briefly consider the general content that most README files contain. To approach this topic for a given Python project, you try to answer the following questions:
