README Files

Overview

Questions Objectives Key Concepts / Tools
What is a README? Introduce your project to users. README.md, Markdown
Why include one? Explain purpose, setup, and usage clearly. Overview, installation, usage
What should it contain? Cover the essentials users need to get started. Install guide, license, contact, credits
How to write it well? Use clear structure and Markdown formatting. Headings, code blocks, links, images
How to share it? Display it automatically on GitHub. File at repo root, GitHub rendering

What Is a README?

A README file is the first point of contact between your project and its users.
It tells people what your project does, how to use it, and why it matters — before they ever look at your code.

The file is usually called README.md (for Markdown format) and lives at the root of your repository.
Platforms like GitHub automatically display it on your project’s homepage.

Why You Need a README

A clear, well-structured README helps:

  • 🧭 Users understand what your project is about and how to get started.
  • 🧑‍💻 Developers reproduce your work and contribute to it.
  • 🧠 You remember how your project works months or years later.

In short, your README is your project’s front door. Don’t take this lightly, people will use your readme to decide if they want to explore your project further. Make sure the readme is to the point and that it looks attractive and well maintained!

What to Include in a README

There’s no strict formula, but most READMEs include the following sections:

Section Purpose
Project Title & Description What the project does and why it exists.
Installation Instructions How to install dependencies and get it running.
Usage How to use the tool or run key scripts.
Examples / Demos Example commands or screenshots.
License Terms under which others can use or modify your code.
Contributors / Contact Who to contact or credit.

Example Structure

# MyProject: A Tool for Analyzing Cat Photos 🐱

MyProject helps data scientists classify and visualize cat images using deep learning.

## Installation
Clone the repository and install dependencies:
```bash
git clone https://github.com/yourname/MyProject.git
cd MyProject
pip install -r requirements.txt

Usage

Run the main script on your dataset:

python classify_cats.py --input data/cats/

Example Output

License

MIT License © 2025 Your Name

🪶 Tip: Start small — it’s better to have a short, clear README than none at all.

How to Write It (and Keep It Useful)

✅ Do:

  • Use plain language — assume the reader doesn’t know your project yet.
  • Include copy-paste-ready commands for installation and usage.
  • Keep sections short and visually structured with Markdown headers.
  • Add links to more detailed docs (if available).
  • Update it whenever your project changes.
  • Use visuals like images or screenshots to illustrate your work, but don’t overdo it.
  • Use badges e.g. to share information (e.g. build or test status, license) or link to other resources (e.g. a DOI, or contact information) in visual way.

❌ Don’t:

  • Copy-paste long code blocks without explanation.
  • Assume users know your environment or setup.
  • Leave outdated or incomplete instructions.
  • Watch out for jargon!

Markdown Basics for READMEs

Markdown makes it easy to format text cleanly:

Element Syntax Example
Heading #, ##, ### ## Installation
Bold **text** important
Code `code` or code blocks pip install
Link [name](url) GitHub
Image ![alt](path) ![logo](logo.png)
List - or 1. - item

Examples

  • https://github.com/asreview/asreview
  • https://github.com/sodascience/metasyn

Best Practices

Tip Why It Matters
Start with why Users want to know what problem it solves.
Be concise Keep it readable — avoid long blocks of text.
Include working commands Ensure examples actually run.
Keep it updated Outdated READMEs cause confusion.
Add a license Clarifies how others can use your work.

Your Turn 💪

Edit your project’s README.md.

Make sure to include: - A short description of your project.
- Installation and usage instructions.
- Example commands or screenshots.
- License and contact information.

Then: 1. Commit your changes (git add README.md && git commit -m "Update README").
2. Push to GitHub and admire your professional-looking front page!

Presenter slides

References