---

name: tidy-project-structure locale: caveman-ultra source_locale: en source_commit: 82c77053 translator: "Julius Brussee homage — caveman" translation_date: "2026-05-03" description: > Organize project files → conventional dirs, update stale READMEs, clean config drift, archive deprecated w/o changing code logic. Use → files scattered no clear org, READMEs outdated/broken examples, config files multiplied across dev/staging/prod, deprecated in root, naming conventions inconsistent. license: MIT allowed-tools: Read Write Edit Bash Grep Glob metadata: author: Philipp Thoss version: "1.0" domain: maintenance complexity: intermediate language: multi tags: maintenance, organization, structure, readme, config

tidy-project-structure

Use When

Project org drifted from conventions:

• Files scattered, no clear org
• READMEs outdated | broken examples
• Config files multiplied (dev, staging, prod drift)
• Deprecated in project root
• Naming inconsistent across dirs

Do NOT use for code refactoring | dep restructuring. Focus = file org + doc hygiene.

In

Parameter	Type	Required	Description
project_path	string	Yes	Absolute path to project root
conventions	string	No	Path to style guide (e.g., docs/conventions.md)
archive_mode	enum	No	move (default) or delete for deprecated files
readme_update	boolean	No	Update stale READMEs (default: true)

Do

Step 1: Audit Layout

Cmp current structure vs conventions | language best practices.

Common conventions by lang:

JavaScript/TypeScript:

src/          # Source code
tests/        # Test files
dist/         # Build output (gitignored)
docs/         # Documentation
.github/      # CI/CD workflows

Python:

package_name/      # Package code
tests/             # Test suite
docs/              # Sphinx docs
scripts/           # Utility scripts

R:

R/                 # R source
tests/testthat/    # Test suite
man/               # Documentation (generated)
vignettes/         # Long-form guides
inst/              # Installed files
data/              # Package data

Rust:

src/          # Source code
tests/        # Integration tests
benches/      # Benchmarks
examples/     # Usage examples

Got: List of files/dirs violating saved to structure_audit.txt.

If err: No conventions doc'd → use language-std defaults.

Step 2: Move Misplaced Files

Relocate to conventional dirs.

Common moves:

1. Test files outside tests/ → tests/
2. Docs outside docs/ → docs/
3. Build artifacts in src/ → delete (gitignored)
4. Config in root → config/ | .config/

Per move:

# Check if file is referenced anywhere
grep -r "filename" .

# If no references or only relative path references:
mkdir -p target_directory/
git mv source/file target_directory/file

# Update any imports/requires
# (language-specific — see repair-broken-references skill)

Got: All files in conventional locations; git history preserved via git mv.

If err: Moving breaks imports → update import paths | escalate.

Step 3: README Freshness

ID stale info in all READMEs.

Staleness indicators:

1. Last mod >6 mo ago
2. Old ver # references
3. Broken links | code examples
4. Missing sections (Install, Usage, Contributing)
5. No license badge | broken badge links

# Find all READMEs
find . -name "README.md" -o -name "readme.md"

# For each README:
# - Check last modified date
git log -1 --format="%ci" README.md

# - Check for broken links
markdown-link-check README.md

# - Verify example code still runs (sample first example)

Got: List of stale READMEs in readme_freshness.txt w/ specific issues.

If err: markdown-link-check unavail → manually review external links.

Step 4: Update Stale READMEs

Fix broken links, update examples, add missing sections.

Std fixes:

1. Replace broken badge URLs
2. Update vers in install instructions
3. Fix broken example code (run to verify)
4. Add missing sections (template from conventions)
5. Update copyright year

README template:

# Project Name

Brief description (1-2 sentences).

## Installation

```bash
# Language-specific install command
```

## Usage

```language
# Basic example
```

## Documentation

Link to full docs.

## Contributing

Link to CONTRIBUTING.md or inline guidelines.

## License

LICENSE badge and link.

Got: All READMEs updated; examples verified to run.

If err: Example code can't be verified → mark w/ warning comment.

Step 5: Review Config Files

ID drift + consolidate duplicate settings.

Common config issues:

1. Multiple .env (.env, .env.local, .env.dev, .env.prod)
2. Duplicate settings across configs
3. Hardcoded secrets (use env vars)
4. Outdated API endpoints | feature flags

# Find all config files
find . -name "*.config.*" -o -name ".env*" -o -name "*.yml" -o -name "*.yaml"

# For each config:
# - Check for duplicate keys
# - Grep for hardcoded secrets (API keys, tokens, passwords)
grep -E "(api[_-]?key|token|password|secret)" config_file

# - Compare dev vs prod settings
diff .env.dev .env.prod

Got: Config drift doc'd in config_review.txt; secrets flagged for escalation.

If err: Diff shows major divergence → escalate to devops-engineer.

Step 6: Archive Deprecated Files

Move | delete files no longer needed.

Candidates:

• Commented-out configs (nginx.conf.old)
• Legacy scripts not run in >1y
• Backup files (file.bak, file~)
• Build artifacts accidentally committed

Archive process:

# Create archive directory (if archive_mode=move)
mkdir -p archive/YYYY-MM-DD/

# For each deprecated file:
# 1. Verify not referenced anywhere
grep -r "filename" .

# 2. Check git history for last modification
git log -1 --format="%ci" filename

# 3. If not modified in >1 year and no references:
if [ "$archive_mode" = "move" ]; then
  git mv filename archive/YYYY-MM-DD/
else
  git rm filename
fi

# 4. Document in ARCHIVE_LOG.md
echo "- filename (reason, last modified: DATE)" >> ARCHIVE_LOG.md

Got: Deprecated archived; ARCHIVE_LOG.md updated.

If err: Uncertain if deprecated → leave + doc in report.

Step 7: Verify Naming Conventions

Check inconsistent file naming across project.

Common conventions:

• kebab-case: my-file.js (JS/web)
• snake_case: my_file.py (Python)
• PascalCase: MyComponent.tsx (React)
• camelCase: myUtility.js (JS fns)

# Find files violating conventions
# Example: Python project expecting snake_case
find . -name "*.py" | grep -v "__pycache__" | grep -E "[A-Z-]"

# For each violation, either:
# 1. Rename to match conventions
# 2. Document exception (e.g., Django settings.py convention)

Got: All files follow conventions | exceptions doc'd.

If err: Renaming breaks imports → update references | escalate.

Step 8: Generate Tidying Report

Doc all structural changes.

# Project Structure Tidying Report

**Date**: YYYY-MM-DD
**Project**: <project_name>

## Directory Changes

- Moved X files to conventional directories
- Created Y new directories
- Archived Z deprecated files

## README Updates

- Updated W stale READMEs
- Fixed X broken links
- Verified Y code examples

## Config Cleanup

- Consolidated X duplicate settings
- Flagged Y hardcoded secrets for removal
- Documented Z config drift issues

## Files Archived

See ARCHIVE_LOG.md for full list (Z files).

## Naming Convention Fixes

- Renamed X files to match conventions
- Documented Y exceptions

## Escalations

- [Config drift requiring devops review]
- [Hardcoded secrets requiring security audit]

Got: Report saved to TIDYING_REPORT.md.

If err: (N/A — generate regardless)

Check

Post-tidy:

• All files in conventional dirs
• No broken links any README
• README examples verified
• Config files reviewed for secrets
• Deprecated archived w/ docs
• Naming conventions consistent
• Git history preserved (git mv not mv)
• Tests still pass after moves

Traps

1. Break Relative Imports: Moving breaks relative paths. Update refs | use absolute.
2. Lose Git History: mv not git mv → loses history. Always git cmds for moves.
3. Over-Organize: Too many nested dirs → harder navigation. Flat until complexity demands.
4. Delete vs Archive: Direct delete → no recovery. Always archive first unless certain.
5. Ignore Language Conventions: Personal pref over language std. Follow established.
6. Not Updating Docs: Moving w/o updating README paths → broken docs.

→

• clean-codebase — remove dead code, fix lint warns
• repair-broken-references — fix links + imports after moves
• escalate-issues — route complex config to specialists
• devops/config-management — advanced config consolidation
• compliance/documentation-audit — comprehensive doc review