Inspect the project root before writing:
- Node: package.json
- Python: requirements.txt, pyproject.toml, setup.py, or setup.cfg
- Go: go.mod
- Rust: Cargo.toml
- Java: pom.xml, build.gradle, or build.gradle.kts
- Make commands: Makefile
- License: LICENSE, LICENSE.md, or package manifest license fields
Detect the main entry point:
- Node/TypeScript: package.json main, bin, exports, src/index.ts, src/index.js, index.js, or server.js
- Python: main.py, app.py, package console scripts, or __main__.py
- Go: main.go or cmd/*/main.go
- Rust: src/main.rs, src/lib.rs, or [[bin]] entries in Cargo.toml
- Java: Maven/Gradle application plugin config or src/main/java/**/Main.java
Extract dependencies only from actual manifests:
- Node: dependencies, devDependencies, peerDependencies, and optionalDependencies
- Python: requirements.txt, pyproject.toml, setup.py, or setup.cfg
- Go: require blocks in go.mod
- Rust: [dependencies], [dev-dependencies], and [build-dependencies]
- Java: Maven dependencies or Gradle dependencies
Extract scripts and commands:
- Node: package.json scripts
- Make: targets from Makefile
- Python: console scripts in package metadata, common commands from project files
- Go/Rust/Java: standard build, test, and run commands when the matching manifest exists
Infer description cautiously:
- Prefer package.json/manifest description fields.
- Otherwise use top-level comments, module docstrings, existing docs, or repository/folder name.
- If there is not enough evidence, write a modest one-sentence description and mark unknown specifics as TODO.
Generate the README with:
- Title from package name, manifest name, or directory name
- Badges for license, primary language, version, and build status placeholder
- Description
- Installation instructions for the detected language
- Usage examples from --help output when safe to run, otherwise from scripts and entry points
- API documentation when JSDoc, docstrings, Go comments, Rust doc comments, or JavaDoc are present
- Contributing guidelines
- License section from detected license or a prompt/TODO when unknown

Template Reference

Read references/templates.md when choosing language-specific README sections, badge patterns, or install command templates. Keep the final README tailored to the current repository rather than copying every optional section.

Accuracy Rules

Do not hallucinate dependencies, commands, entry points, environment variables, APIs, or deployment steps.
Only include dependencies and scripts that were found in real files.
Use TODO markers for important unknowns instead of inventing facts.
Do not run commands that mutate the project while collecting README evidence.
Only run --help commands when they are likely safe and local; skip them if the command may start servers, install packages, modify files, or call external services.
Keep Markdown valid with one # title, proper heading levels, fenced code blocks, and no broken table syntax.

Output Shape

When asked to create or update a README, write or update README.md in the project root unless the user specifies another path. Summarize the evidence used and list any TODOs that remain because the repository did not contain enough information.

readme-generator-free

README Generator

Workflow