bootstrap
New project scaffolding orchestrator that sets up a complete project from scratch with the right stack, structure, configuration, and initial code.
Best use case
bootstrap is best used when you need a repeatable AI agent workflow instead of a one-off prompt.
New project scaffolding orchestrator that sets up a complete project from scratch with the right stack, structure, configuration, and initial code.
Teams using bootstrap should expect a more consistent output, faster repeated execution, less prompt rewriting.
When to use this skill
- You want a reusable workflow that can be run more than once with consistent structure.
When not to use this skill
- You only need a quick one-off answer and do not need a reusable workflow.
- You cannot install or maintain the underlying files, dependencies, or repository context.
Installation
Claude Code / Cursor / Codex
Manual Installation
- Download SKILL.md from GitHub
- Place it in
.claude/skills/bootstrap/SKILL.mdinside your project - Restart your AI agent — it will auto-discover the skill
How bootstrap Compares
| Feature / Agent | bootstrap | Standard Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Platform Support | Not specified | Limited / Varies |
| Context Awareness | High | Baseline |
| Installation Complexity | Unknown | N/A |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does this skill do?
New project scaffolding orchestrator that sets up a complete project from scratch with the right stack, structure, configuration, and initial code.
Where can I find the source code?
You can find the source code on GitHub using the link provided at the top of the page.
SKILL.md Source
# Bootstrap
## Purpose
Bootstrap is the new project scaffolding orchestrator. It takes a project idea or specification and produces a complete, ready-to-develop project with the right directory structure, configuration, tooling, and initial code. Bootstrap doesn't just run `create-next-app` -- it makes informed decisions about project architecture, sets up quality tooling, and creates a foundation that follows best practices.
Bootstrap is opinionated but configurable. It will suggest a stack and structure based on the project type, but defers to user preferences when specified. It always errs on the side of a clean, maintainable foundation over a feature-packed but messy one.
## Workflow
### Phase 1: Discover & Decide
1. **Parse the project brief** -- Extract project type, target platform, scale expectations, and any specified technologies.
2. **Invoke `brainstorm`** (if underspecified) -- If the user gives a vague brief ("build me a SaaS"), brainstorm what the stack and structure should look like.
3. **Invoke `research`** -- Look up current best practices for the chosen stack. Check for latest versions, recommended configurations, and known pitfalls via Context7.
4. **Invoke `plan`** -- Create a scaffolding plan:
- Directory structure
- Configuration files needed
- Dependencies (with versions)
- Initial code files
- Tooling (linter, formatter, test runner, CI)
5. **Present the plan** -- Show the user what will be created. Get confirmation before writing files.
### Phase 2: Scaffold Structure
6. **Create directory tree** -- Build out the full directory structure following conventions for the chosen stack.
7. **Write configuration files** -- Generate all config files:
- Package manager config (package.json, Cargo.toml, pyproject.toml, etc.)
- TypeScript/language config (tsconfig.json, etc.)
- Linter config (eslint, clippy, ruff, etc.)
- Formatter config (prettier, rustfmt, black, etc.)
- Test config (jest, vitest, pytest, etc.)
- Git config (.gitignore, .gitattributes)
- Editor config (.editorconfig, .vscode/settings.json)
- Environment config (.env.example)
### Phase 3: Write Initial Code
8. **Create entry points** -- Set up the main entry file(s) for the application.
9. **Create example components/modules** -- Write 1-2 example components or modules that demonstrate the project's conventions:
- Naming conventions
- File structure patterns
- Import style
- Component/module patterns
10. **Create example tests** -- Write tests for the example code to establish the testing pattern.
11. **Create shared utilities** -- Set up common utilities (error handling, logging, config loading) if appropriate for the project type.
### Phase 4: Tooling & CI
12. **Set up development scripts** -- Configure dev, build, test, lint, and format scripts.
13. **Set up CI/CD** (if requested) -- Generate GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, or other CI configuration.
14. **Set up pre-commit hooks** (if appropriate) -- Configure husky, lint-staged, or equivalent.
### Phase 5: Document & Commit
15. **Invoke `docs-writer`** -- Generate a README with:
- Project description
- Setup instructions
- Available scripts
- Project structure overview
- Contributing guidelines (if team project)
16. **Invoke `git-workflow`** -- Initialize git repository.
17. **Invoke `commit-crafter`** -- Create the initial commit with a meaningful message.
18. **Present summary** -- Report what was created, how to get started, and suggested next steps.
## Stack Templates
### Next.js (App Router)
```
project/
src/
app/
layout.tsx
page.tsx
globals.css
components/
ui/
lib/
utils.ts
hooks/
types/
public/
tests/
.env.example
next.config.ts
tailwind.config.ts
tsconfig.json
package.json
```
### Node.js API
```
project/
src/
routes/
middleware/
services/
models/
utils/
config/
index.ts
tests/
unit/
integration/
.env.example
tsconfig.json
package.json
```
### CLI Tool (TypeScript)
```
project/
src/
commands/
utils/
config/
index.ts
tests/
bin/
package.json
tsconfig.json
```
### Python Package
```
project/
src/
package_name/
__init__.py
core.py
utils.py
tests/
test_core.py
pyproject.toml
README.md
```
## Decision Points
| Condition | Action |
|-----------|--------|
| User specifies stack | Use specified stack, validate with `research` |
| User says "whatever is best" | Use `brainstorm` + `research` to recommend |
| Project is a monorepo | Set up workspace configuration (turborepo, nx, etc.) |
| Deployment target specified | Configure build output and CI for that target |
| User wants a database | Include ORM/driver setup and migration tooling |
| User wants auth | Include auth library setup and example middleware |
## Usage
Use Bootstrap at the very beginning of a new project. It sets the foundation that all subsequent development builds on.
**Best for:**
- Starting a new project from scratch
- Creating a new package or library
- Setting up a new microservice
- Scaffolding a proof of concept
**Not ideal for:**
- Adding features to existing projects (use `cook`)
- Migrating existing projects to new structures (use `migrate`)
- Restructuring an existing project (use `refactor`)
## Examples
### Example 1: SaaS application
```
User: /bootstrap Create a Next.js SaaS app with Supabase auth,
Stripe billing, and Tailwind CSS
Bootstrap workflow:
1. research -> Latest Next.js App Router patterns, Supabase client setup,
Stripe integration best practices
2. plan -> Directory structure, dependencies, config files
3. Scaffold -> Next.js app with app router, Tailwind, TypeScript
4. Initial code -> Auth middleware, Stripe webhook handler,
example dashboard page, pricing component
5. Tooling -> ESLint, Prettier, Vitest, GitHub Actions
6. docs-writer -> README with setup instructions for Supabase + Stripe
7. git-workflow + commit-crafter -> Init repo, first commit
```
### Example 2: CLI tool
```
User: /bootstrap Scaffold a Node.js CLI tool for managing Docker containers
Bootstrap workflow:
1. research -> Commander.js vs yargs vs clipanion, best CLI patterns
2. plan -> CLI structure with commands, config, output formatting
3. Scaffold -> TypeScript project with bin entry point
4. Initial code -> Help command, version command, example container-list command
5. Tooling -> ESLint, Vitest, build to CJS for Node
6. docs-writer -> README with installation and usage
7. git-workflow + commit-crafter -> Init repo, first commit
```
### Example 3: Monorepo
```
User: /bootstrap Set up a Turborepo monorepo with a Next.js frontend,
Express API, and shared types package
Bootstrap workflow:
1. research -> Turborepo workspace config, shared package patterns
2. plan -> Root config, three packages, shared dependencies
3. Scaffold -> Turborepo root, apps/web, apps/api, packages/shared
4. Initial code -> Example page calling API, shared type definitions,
API route using shared types
5. Tooling -> Root ESLint, per-package tsconfig, Turborepo pipelines
6. docs-writer -> Root README + per-package READMEs
7. git-workflow + commit-crafter -> Init repo, first commit
```
## Guardrails
- **Always research before scaffolding.** Don't use stale patterns. Check current best practices.
- **Never over-scaffold.** Create what's needed, not everything possible. YAGNI applies to structure too.
- **Always include examples.** Empty directories are useless. Include at least one example file per key directory.
- **Always include tests.** The testing pattern must be established from day one.
- **Confirm before writing.** Show the plan and get user approval before creating the project.
- **Pin dependency versions.** Use exact versions or tight ranges, not `latest` or `*`.
- **Include .env.example.** Never create actual .env files, always .env.example with placeholder values.Related Skills
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