Templates & Starter Specs
The easiest way to get good results from AI coding tools is to give them clear instructions. But writing good instructions from scratch is hard.
Instead of staring at a blank page, use this fill-in-the-blanks template. It walks you through everything your AI needs to know — your project idea, features, rules, and security needs — one simple step at a time.
AI Project Template
Download the AI Project Template v1.0.1 (zip, ~8KB)
A simple starter kit for anyone who wants to build software with AI help:
- Business owners who need to explain their idea clearly
- Hobbyists building their first app
- Solo founders who want to move fast without breaking things
- Anyone using AI coding tools who wants better results
What You Get
When you unzip the template, here's what's inside:
ai-project-template/
├── README.md # Start here
├── QUICKSTART.md # Step-by-step instructions
├── PROJECT_OVERVIEW.md # What are you building?
├── FEATURES.md # What should it do?
├── USER_STORIES.md # Who will use it and how?
├── BUSINESS_RULES.md # What rules must it follow?
├── SECURITY_CHECKLIST.md # Safety requirements (checkboxes)
├── TECH_STACK.md # What technology to use?
├── UI_UX_GUIDELINES.md # How should it look and feel?
├── GLOSSARY.md # Define your important terms
├── specs/ # Detailed feature plans
│ ├── authentication.md
│ ├── dashboard.md
│ └── payments.md
├── examples/ # See what good vs bad specs look like
│ ├── good-feature-spec.md
│ └── bad-feature-spec.md
└── LICENSE # Free to use (MIT)
How to Use It
- Download the template
- Unzip it anywhere on your computer
- Open the folder in any code editor (VS Code, Cursor, or even a plain text editor)
- Fill out the forms — each file is just a markdown document with blanks to fill in
- Give the folder to your AI — most AI coding tools will automatically read these files and understand your project
That's it. No setup, no configuration, no technical skills required.
What's New in v1.0.1
- Works automatically with AI tools — just open the folder and your AI assistant will know what to do
- Better instructions for your AI — the template now tells the AI to read your specs first, follow your rules, and ask before making changes
- Clearer file organization — easier to find what you need
Why This Works
| Problem | How the Template Helps |
|---|---|
| You don't know what to tell the AI | The template asks you simple questions, one file at a time |
| The AI builds things you didn't ask for | Clear specs = the AI builds what you actually want |
| You forget to mention security | Built-in checklist so you don't miss the important stuff |
| The AI makes assumptions | Your rules and glossary tell the AI exactly how things should work |
| You have to repeat yourself every time | Fill it once, reuse it for every AI session |
Quick Workflow
Have an idea
↓
Fill out the template files (one by one)
↓
Open the folder in your AI coding tool
↓
The AI reads your specs automatically
↓
Review what the AI builds
↓
Test it, fix issues, launch
Quick Spec Template (Copy-Paste)
Need something faster? Copy this into your AI chat:
💡 New to Markdown? This template uses Markdown — a simple way to format text with symbols like
#for headings and-for bullet lists. If any of this looks unfamiliar, check out our Markdown Crash Course — it covers everything you need in 2 minutes.
## What I'm Building
[Describe your app in 2-3 sentences]
## What It Should Do
- [ ]
- [ ]
- [ ]
## Tech I Want to Use
[Framework or platform]
## Safety Rules
- [ ] Validate user input
- [ ] Require login for private features
- [ ] No hardcoded passwords or API keys
## What Should Happen When Things Go Wrong
- If [problem] → [what should happen]
- If [problem] → [what should happen]
## How I'll Know It's Done
- [ ]
- [ ]
The Bottom Line
A good template saves you 15 minutes of writing and hours of fixing.
Download the AI Project Template v1.0.1 and start your next project with a solid foundation. It's free, open source, and designed to help you and your AI build better software together.