dmccreary/claude-skills/readme-generator

README Generator

Generate or update a comprehensive README.md file for GitHub repositories following best practices.

Purpose

This skill automates the creation of professional, well-structured README.md files for GitHub repositories. It generates all essential sections including badges for technologies used, project overview, site metrics, getting started instructions, project structure, and contact information. The skill is particularly optimized for MkDocs-based intelligent textbook projects but can be adapted for any repository type.

When to Use This Skill

Use this skill when:

• Starting a new GitHub repository that needs a README.md
• Updating an existing README.md to follow best practices
• After significant project changes that should be documented
• Before publishing or sharing a repository
• When migrating from another documentation system
• After adding new technologies or dependencies

Workflow

Step 1: Analyze Repository Context

Before generating the README, gather information about the repository:

1. Check if README.md already exists in the root directory
2. Identify the repository name from .git/config or the working directory
3. Read mkdocs.yml if it exists to extract:

• Site name
• Site description
• Site URL (for GitHub Pages link)
• Repository URL

1. Check for documentation in /docs directory
2. Identify technologies used (look for package.json, requirements.txt, mkdocs.yml, etc.)

User Dialog Triggers:

• If README.md exists: Ask "README.md already exists. Would you like to update it or create a backup first?"
• If repository URL not found: Ask "What is the GitHub repository URL? (e.g., https://github.com/username/repo-name)"
• If site URL not configured: Ask "Is this site deployed to GitHub Pages? If yes, what's the URL?"

Step 2: Generate Badges

Create badges for all relevant technologies and platforms. Use shields.io format for consistency.

Badge Order:

1. MkDocs (if mkdocs.yml exists)
2. MkDocs Material (if theme is Material)
3. GitHub Pages live badge (if site is deployed)
4. Claude Code badge
5. Claude Skills badge (if .claude/skills or skills/ directory exists)
6. License badge
7. Additional technology badges (Python, JavaScript, p5.js, etc.)

Do NOT include a "GitHub repo" badge that links the README back to its own repository. Anyone reading the README is already on GitHub (or already has the repo cloned), so a self-link adds no value. The GitHub Pages badge is fine because it points to a different surface (the published site).

Badge Templates:

[![MkDocs](https://img.shields.io/badge/Made%20with-MkDocs-526CFE?logo=materialformkdocs)](https://www.mkdocs.org/)
[![Material for MkDocs](https://img.shields.io/badge/Material%20for%20MkDocs-526CFE?logo=materialformkdocs)](https://squidfunk.github.io/mkdocs-material/)
[![GitHub Pages](https://img.shields.io/badge/View%20on-GitHub%20Pages-blue?logo=github)](SITE_URL)
[![Claude Code](https://img.shields.io/badge/Built%20with-Claude%20Code-DA7857?logo=anthropic)](https://claude.ai/code)
[![Claude Skills](https://img.shields.io/badge/Uses-Claude%20Skills-DA7857?logo=anthropic)](https://github.com/dmccreary/ibook-skills)

Check for these additional badges:

• p5.js: [![p5.js](https://img.shields.io/badge/p5.js-ED225D?logo=p5.js&logoColor=white)](https://p5js.org/)
• Python: [![Python](https://img.shields.io/badge/Python-3776AB?logo=python&logoColor=white)](https://www.python.org/)
• JavaScript: [![JavaScript](https://img.shields.io/badge/JavaScript-F7DF1E?logo=javascript&logoColor=black)](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript)

Step 3: Add License Badge

Look for license information in:

1. LICENSE file in root
2. docs/license.md
3. mkdocs.yml (copyright field)

Default to Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0 if not specified:

[![License: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0](https://img.shields.io/badge/License-CC%20BY--NC--SA%204.0-lightgrey.svg)](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)

Other common licenses:

• MIT: [![License: MIT](https://img.shields.io/badge/License-MIT-yellow.svg)](https://opensource.org/licenses/MIT)
• Apache 2.0: [![License: Apache 2.0](https://img.shields.io/badge/License-Apache%202.0-blue.svg)](https://opensource.org/licenses/Apache-2.0)
• GPL-3.0: [![License: GPL v3](https://img.shields.io/badge/License-GPLv3-blue.svg)](https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-3.0)

Step 4: Create Website Link Section

After badges, add a prominent link to the live website (if deployed):

## View the Live Site
 
Visit the interactive textbook at: [https://username.github.io/repo-name](https://username.github.io/repo-name)

Step 5: Write Overview/Short Description

Create a compelling 1-3 paragraph overview that answers:

• What is this project?
• Who is it for?
• Why is it valuable?
• What makes it unique or special?

Guidelines:

• Keep it concise but engaging
• Use active voice
• Highlight key features or benefits
• Mention the educational framework if applicable
• For textbooks: mention target audience (grade level, prerequisites)

Example for Intelligent Textbook:

## Overview
 
This is an interactive, AI-generated intelligent textbook on [TOPIC] designed for [AUDIENCE]. Built using MkDocs with the Material theme, it incorporates learning graphs, concept dependencies, interactive MicroSims (p5.js simulations), and AI-assisted content generation.
 
The textbook follows Bloom's Taxonomy (2001 revision) for learning outcomes and uses concept dependency graphs to ensure proper prerequisite sequencing. All content is generated and curated using Claude AI skills, making it a Level 2+ intelligent textbook with interactive elements.
 
Whether you're a student learning [TOPIC] for the first time or an educator looking for structured course materials, this textbook provides comprehensive coverage with hands-on interactive elements that make complex concepts accessible and engaging.

Step 6: Add Site Status and Metrics

Gather and display project metrics to show completeness and scope.

Read the canonical metrics file — do NOT re-derive counts.

Book-wide totals are the single source of truth in docs/learning-graph/book-metrics.json (produced by the book-metrics tool and validated against src/book-metrics/book-metrics.schema.json). README metrics MUST come from this file so the README, LinkedIn announcement, and case-study card all show identical numbers.

# 1. Make sure the file is fresh (regenerate if missing or stale):
bk-generate-book-metrics 2>/dev/null \
  || python3 "$BK_HOME/src/book-metrics/book-metrics.py" docs
 
# 2. Read the totals:
python3 - <<'PY'
import json, pathlib
m = json.loads(pathlib.Path("docs/learning-graph/book-metrics.json").read_text())["metrics"]
for k in ("concepts","chapters","microsims","glossaryTerms","faqs",
          "quizQuestions","words","diagrams","references","equivalentPages",
          "developmentStage"):
    print(f"{k}: {m.get(k)}")
PY

The metrics object provides: concepts, chapters, microsims, stories, glossaryTerms, faqs, quizQuestions, chapterQuizzes, chapterReferences, references, diagrams, equations, words, links, appendices, mascotImages, developmentStage, and equivalentPages. For identity fields (title, author, repo URL, license) read book-metadata.json / mkdocs.yml.

Only fall back to scripts/collect-site-metrics.py (markdown/image scanning) for counts the metrics file does not provide — e.g. image-asset counts or code-block counts. Never recount concepts/chapters/words by hand.

Format as a table:

## Site Status and Metrics
 
| Metric | Count |
|--------|-------|
| Concepts in Learning Graph | 200 |
| Chapters | 13 |
| Markdown Files | 87 |
| Total Words | 45,230 |
| MicroSims | 12 |
| Glossary Terms | 187 |
| FAQ Questions | 42 |
| Quiz Questions | 156 |
| Images | 34 |
| References | 28 |
 
**Completion Status:** Approximately 85% complete (content generation phase)

Book-Specific Metrics:

For specialized textbooks, add domain-specific metrics:

• Circuits textbook: Number of circuit diagrams, simulations
• History textbook: Number of timelines, maps, primary source documents
• Programming textbook: Number of code examples, exercises, projects
• Math textbook: Number of equations, proofs, worked examples

Step 7: Add Getting Started Section

Provide clear instructions for using and customizing the project.

Standard sections:

1. Prerequisites (if any)
2. Clone the Repository
3. Installation (if dependencies needed)
4. Building the Site
5. Local Development
6. Deployment

Example:

## Getting Started
 
### Clone the Repository
 

git clone https://github.com/username/repo-name.git cd repo-name

 
### Install Dependencies
 
This project uses MkDocs with the Material theme:
 

pip install mkdocs pip install mkdocs-material

 
### Build and Serve Locally
 
Build the site:
 

mkdocs build

 
Serve locally for development (with live reload):
 

mkdocs serve

 
Open your browser to `http://localhost:8000`
 
### Deploy to GitHub Pages
 

mkdocs gh-deploy

 
This will build the site and push it to the `gh-pages` branch.
 
### Using the Book
 
**Navigation:**
- Use the left sidebar to browse chapters
- Click on the search icon to search all content
- Each chapter includes quizzes and practice exercises
 
**Interactive MicroSims:**
- Found in the "MicroSims" section
- Each simulation runs standalone in your browser
- Adjust parameters with sliders and controls
 
**Customization:**
- Edit markdown files in `docs/` to modify content
- Modify `mkdocs.yml` to change site structure
- Add your own MicroSims in `docs/sims/`
- Customize theme in `docs/css/extra.css`

Step 8: Document Repository Structure

Create an ASCII tree diagram showing the repository structure with explanatory comments.

Use this approach:

• Don't list every single file
• Show representative examples
• Add comments explaining each major directory
• Keep it concise (10-20 lines)

Example:

## Repository Structure
 

repo-name/ ├── docs/ # MkDocs documentation source │ ├── chapters/ # Chapter content │ │ ├── 01-intro/ │ │ │ ├── index.md # Chapter markdown │ │ │ └── quiz.md # Chapter quiz │ │ └── 02-concepts/ │ ├── sims/ # Interactive p5.js MicroSims │ │ ├── graph-viewer/ │ │ │ ├── main.html # Standalone simulation │ │ │ └── index.md # Documentation │ ├── learning-graph/ # Learning graph data and analysis │ │ ├── learning-graph.csv # Concept dependencies │ │ ├── learning-graph.json # vis-network format │ │ └── quality-metrics.md # Quality analysis │ ├── glossary.md # ISO 11179-compliant definitions │ ├── faq.md # Frequently asked questions │ └── references.md # Curated references ├── skills/ # Claude AI skills (if present) │ └── [skill-name]/ │ ├── SKILL.md # Skill definition │ └── *.py # Supporting scripts ├── mkdocs.yml # MkDocs configuration └── README.md # This file

Step 9: Add Issue Reporting Section

Direct users to the GitHub Issues page:

## Reporting Issues
 
Found a bug, typo, or have a suggestion for improvement? Please report it:
 
[GitHub Issues](https://github.com/username/repo-name/issues)
 
When reporting issues, please include:
 
-Description of the problem or suggestion
-Steps to reproduce (for bugs)
-Expected vs actual behavior
-Screenshots (if applicable)
-Browser/environment details (for MicroSims)