How long should a README be?

Long enough that a new user never has to open an issue to get started — usually 100 to 300 lines. Move deep reference material into a docs folder and link to it.

Do badges render when exporting to PDF?

Badges are remote images, so they render only if the converter fetches remote images. Since they mostly signal live CI state, consider removing them from PDF exports — the information is stale the moment it is printed.

Should every folder have a README?

Only when a folder is an entry point someone consumes independently, like a package in a monorepo. Elsewhere, one root README beats many stale ones.

Does GitHub-flavored Markdown work in the export?

Tables, task lists, and fenced code blocks with language hints are GFM features and convert cleanly here. GitHub-only features like mentions and issue links become plain text.

README Template — Markdown Structure for GitHub Projects

A practical README.md template with installation, usage, and contributing sections. Copy it, fill it in, and export project docs to PDF when you need a handoff file.

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README Template — Markdown Structure for GitHub Projects

Frequently Asked Questions

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