Project Bootstrapper logo

Project Bootstrapper

Community
mhattingpete
project-bootstrapper

Sets up new projects or improves existing projects with development best practices, tooling, documentation, and workflow automation. Use when user wants to start a new project, improve project structure, add development tooling, or establish professional workflows.

Overview

Publishermhattingpete
Repositoryclaude-skills-marketplace
Skill nameproject-bootstrapper
Stars
675
Forks
96
Bundled files
Instructions only
LicenseApache-2.0
Links
Skill sourceRepository
  • Markdown instructions

    A SKILL.md file the model loads on demand, so it only costs tokens when a request actually matches.

  • Works with any LLM

    AI skills are plain Markdown, not provider-specific code, so this works with GPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, or a local model.

  • Self-contained

    Everything the model needs lives in the instructions — no extra files to sync.

  • Open source

    Published by mhattingpete on GitHub. Read the source before you install it.

Installation

Install the Project Bootstrapper AI skill in TypingMind to use it with any LLM, or drop it into another agent that reads SKILL.md.

1

Install in TypingMind

TypingMind installs a skill straight from its GitHub folder — it reads SKILL.md, bundles the resource files, and stores the result locally.

  1. Open the app and go to Plugins → Skills.
  2. Choose "Install from GitHub".
  3. Paste the skill folder URL below and confirm.
  4. Enable the skill in any chat where you want it available.
Plugins → Skills → Add skill → From GitHub URL, then paste the folder URL and press Continue.
2

Install in another agent

Any agent that reads the Agent Skills format can use this skill — copy the folder into that agent's skills directory.

Claude Code — .claude/skills
git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/mhattingpete/claude-skills-marketplace.git /tmp/claude-skills-marketplace
mkdir -p .claude/skills
cp -r /tmp/claude-skills-marketplace/productivity-skills-plugin/skills/project-bootstrapper .claude/skills/project-bootstrapper
Restart Claude Code after copying so it picks up the new skill.

Use it in TypingMind

Enable Project Bootstrapper in any TypingMind chat and the model takes it from there. Its name and description sit in the system prompt, and the moment a request matches, the model loads the full instructions itself — you never invoke it by hand, and it costs no tokens until it is actually used.

The model loads Project Bootstrapper on its own as soon as a request matches it.

Works with any AI model

AI skills are plain Markdown instructions rather than provider-specific code, so Project Bootstrapper is not tied to the model it was written for. Install it once in TypingMind and use it with GPT-5, Claude, Gemini, Grok, DeepSeek, Mistral, Llama, or a local model you run yourself — all on your own API keys.

  • Loaded only when it is needed

    The system prompt carries just the name and description. The instructions are fetched on the first matching request, so an idle skill costs nothing.

  • Switch models mid-chat

    Because the skill is instructions rather than code, changing model does not break it — the next model reads the same SKILL.md.

Skill instructions

This is the SKILL.md content the model loads. Read it before installing — a skill is instructions your model will follow.

Project Bootstrapper

Sets up new projects or improves existing projects with development best practices, tooling, documentation, and workflow automation.

When to Use

  • "set up a new project"
  • "bootstrap this project"
  • "add best practices"
  • "improve project structure"
  • "set up development tooling"
  • "initialize project properly"

What It Sets Up

1. Project Structure

  • Standard directories (src/, tests/, docs/, scripts/, .github/)
  • Logical file organization
  • Structure improvements

2. Git Configuration

  • Comprehensive .gitignore
  • .gitattributes for line endings/diffs
  • Git hooks (pre-commit, commit-msg)
  • Branch protection patterns
  • Git LFS if needed

3. Documentation

  • Comprehensive README.md
  • CONTRIBUTING.md
  • Code documentation (JSDoc, docstrings)
  • CHANGELOG.md structure
  • Architecture docs if complex

4. Testing Setup

  • Identify/suggest testing framework
  • Test structure and conventions
  • Example/template tests
  • Configure test runners
  • Coverage reporting
  • Testing scripts/commands

5. Code Quality Tools

  • Linters (ESLint, Pylint, etc.)
  • Formatters (Prettier, Black, etc.)
  • Type checking (TypeScript, mypy, etc.)
  • Pre-commit hooks for quality
  • Editor configs (.editorconfig)
  • Code quality badges

6. Dependencies Management

  • Package manager configuration
  • Organize dependencies
  • Check security vulnerabilities
  • Set up dependency updates (Dependabot, Renovate)
  • Create lock files
  • Document dependency choices

7. Development Workflow

  • Useful npm scripts / Makefile targets
  • Environment variable templates (.env.example)
  • Docker configuration if appropriate
  • Development startup scripts
  • Hot-reload / watch modes
  • Document development workflow

8. CI/CD Setup

  • GitHub Actions / GitLab CI config
  • Automated testing
  • Automated deployment (if applicable)
  • Status badges
  • Release automation
  • Branch protection

Approach

Discovery Phase

Ask clarifying questions:

  1. Project type: New or existing?
  2. Primary purpose: Web app, library, CLI tool?
  3. Language/framework: JS/TS, Python, Go, etc.?
  4. Collaboration: Personal or team?
  5. Deployment target: Server, cloud, mobile, desktop?
  6. Preferences: Specific tools/frameworks?
  7. Scope: Full setup or specific areas?

Implementation Phase

  1. Analyze existing structure (if existing project)
  2. Create plan based on answers
  3. Show plan and get approval
  4. Implement systematically (one area at a time)
  5. Verify completeness
  6. Provide handoff documentation

Customization

Adapts to:

  • Language ecosystem: Node.js vs Python vs Go vs Rust
  • Project size: Small script vs large app
  • Team size: Solo vs collaborative
  • Maturity: Startup speed vs enterprise standards

Tools Used

  • AskUserQuestion: Gather requirements
  • Write: Create configuration files, documentation
  • Edit: Update existing files
  • Bash: Initialize tools (git init, npm init)
  • Read: Analyze existing structure
  • Glob: Find files to update

Success Criteria

  • All standard files present and configured
  • Clear and complete documentation
  • Documented development workflow
  • Automated quality tooling (pre-commit hooks)
  • Easy test execution
  • Follows language/framework conventions
  • Quick developer onboarding
  • No obvious best practices missing

Templates

  • Node.js/TypeScript web app
  • Python CLI tool
  • Python web API (FastAPI/Flask)
  • React/Next.js app
  • Go service
  • Rust CLI/library

Integration

  • feature-planning: For planning custom features
  • code-auditor: For validating setup quality
  • codebase-documenter: For generating detailed docs

Scope Control

  • Full bootstrap: Everything from scratch
  • Partial setup: Specific areas only (e.g., "just add testing")
  • Improvement pass: Enhance existing project
  • Audit + fix: Check what's missing and add it

Frequently asked questions

What does the Project Bootstrapper AI skill do?

Sets up new projects or improves existing projects with development best practices, tooling, documentation, and workflow automation. Use when user wants to start a new project, improve project structure, add development tooling, or establish professional workflows.

Why use Project Bootstrapper on TypingMind?

Because you install it once and use it with any model. Project Bootstrapper is plain Markdown rather than provider-specific code, so the same skill runs on GPT-5, Claude, Gemini, Grok, or a local model — and you can switch model mid-chat without it breaking. TypingMind runs on your own API keys, so you pay providers directly instead of a per-seat subscription, and your skills and chats stay in your own storage.

How do I install Project Bootstrapper in TypingMind?

Open Plugins → Skills → Install from GitHub in TypingMind and paste https://github.com/mhattingpete/claude-skills-marketplace/tree/main/productivity-skills-plugin/skills/project-bootstrapper. TypingMind reads its SKILL.md and installs it as a skill you can enable per chat.

Which AI models can use Project Bootstrapper?

Any model you connect in TypingMind. AI skills are plain Markdown instructions rather than provider-specific code, so GPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, and local models can all load this skill when a request matches it.

How many AI models can I use with Project Bootstrapper?

As many as you like. As long as a model supports skills, you can use Project Bootstrapper with it — GPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, DeepSeek, Mistral, Llama and more — all on TypingMind with your own API keys.

Is the Project Bootstrapper AI skill free?

Yes. It is published on GitHub by mhattingpete under the Apache-2.0 license. You only pay your own AI provider for the tokens you use.

What are AI skills?

An AI skill is a reusable instruction bundle that teaches an AI model how to do one specific task. It follows the open Agent Skills format: a SKILL.md file with a name and description, plus any scripts, templates or reference files the model may need. The model reads the instructions only when your request matches the skill, so an installed skill costs nothing until it is used.

How are AI skills different from plugins or MCP servers?

A plugin or MCP server gives a model new tools to call — code that runs somewhere and returns a result. An AI skill gives the model knowledge and process instead: how to approach a task, which steps to follow, what good output looks like. Skills are plain Markdown, so they need no server, no API key and no runtime, and they work with any model.

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