From 2e43626d91bd76c9d8b0823679c373225b6a6d85 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Ramon Caballero <hello@ramoncaballero.dev>
Date: Fri, 10 Apr 2026 11:56:29 +0100
Subject: [PATCH] Add README.md

---
 README.md | 111 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 1 file changed, 111 insertions(+)
 create mode 100644 README.md

diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d2f3c9e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,111 @@
+# PHPStarter
+
+A minimal, modern PHP project template that provides a clean foundation for building small to medium web applications.
+
+## Features
+
+- PSR‑4 autoloading via Composer
+- Environment configuration using [`vlucas/phpdotenv`](https://github.com/vlucas/phpdotenv)
+- Strict typing enabled across the project
+- Simple and extensible database connection helper
+- Ready‑to‑use [PHPUnit](https://phpunit.de/) testing setup
+- [PHP‑CS‑Fixer](https://github.com/PHP-CS-Fixer/PHP-CS-Fixer) configuration for consistent code style
+- Clean `public/` entry point for web requests
+- Fully compatible with the [PHPStarter CLI](https://ramoncaballero.dev/phpstarter-cli.git)
+
+## Requirements
+
+- PHP 8.2+
+- Composer
+- Apache (or PHP's built‑in server)
+- MariaDB
+
+## Installation
+
+It is recommended to use [PHPStarter CLI](https://ramoncaballero.dev/phpstarter-cli.git), as it automates the entire setup process and requires almost no manual configuration.  
+
+However, you can also install PHPStarter manually by following the steps below.
+
+
+Clone the repository:
+
+```bash
+cd /var/www/sites/
+git clone https://ramoncaballero.dev/PHPStarter.git <myproject>
+cd <myproject>
+```
+
+Install dependencies:
+
+```bash
+composer install
+```
+
+Copy the environment file:
+
+```bash
+sudo cp config/PHPStarter.env.example config/PHPStarter.env
+```
+
+Edit your environment variables as needed.
+
+## Directory Structure
+
+```bash
+PHPStarter/
+    bin/                   → Executable scripts or CLI utilities
+    config/                → Environment files
+	docs/                  → Project documentation, guides, and reference material
+    public/                → Web root; front controller (`index.php`) and public assets (css, js, icons, ...)
+    src/                   → Application source code (PSR‑4 autoloaded)
+	templates/             → Reusable HTML/PHP templates or view files
+    tests/                 → PHPUnit test suites and testing utilities
+	translations/          → Localization files, language packs, or message catalogs
+    composer.json          → Composer package definition and autoload configuration
+	composer.lock          → Locked dependency versions for reproducible installs
+    phpunit.xml            → PHPUnit configuration file
+	.php-cs-fixer.dist.php → Code style rules for PHP-CS-Fixer
+```
+
+## Running the Project
+
+Using PHP's built‑in server:
+
+```bash
+php -S localhost:8000 -t public
+```
+
+Or configure Apache  manually.
+
+If using the [PHPStarter CLI](https://ramoncaballero.dev/phpstarter-cli.git), the virtual host is created automatically.
+
+## Customization
+
+You can safely modify:
+
+- Namespace (default: `PHPStarter`)
+- Directory structure
+- Database logic
+- Views/templates
+
+The template is intentionally minimal to encourage flexibility.
+
+## Testing
+
+Run PHPUnit:
+
+```bash
+./vendor/bin/phpunit
+```
+
+## Code Style
+
+Run PHP-CS-Fixer:
+
+```bash
+./vendor/bin/php-cs-fixer fix
+```
+
+## License
+
+This project is provided as a template and may be used freely.