Organise the workspace

A minimal structure for a reproducible research project.

Result

The project has a small, predictable structure. A new session can distinguish unchanged sources, working files, accepted outputs, and verification evidence without reading an old conversation.

research-project/
├── AGENTS.md or CLAUDE.md
├── README.md
├── inputs/
├── work/
├── outputs/
└── evidence/

Actions

1. Create inputs/ for the permitted source snapshot and do not overwrite those files during the run.
2. Create work/ for intermediate transformations and drafts that may be replaced.
3. Create outputs/ only for deliverables awaiting or passing acceptance; record status clearly.
4. Create evidence/ for source locations, logs, comparison results, screenshots, and acceptance records that do not contain secrets.
5. Add README.md with the project goal, accountable owner, active scenario, current version, and how to find the accepted output.
6. Add AGENTS.md or CLAUDE.md with operating rules that apply to every session in the project.
7. If you use Git, exclude credentials, local caches, temporary files, and disallowed data with .gitignore; confirm the exclusions before the first commit.

Check

Take one file from each directory and explain its role. A fresh session can find the current source snapshot, working area, candidate or accepted result, and its verification record. No credential or unapproved client data appears in the repository status.

If it fails

Return misplaced files to the correct role and update the README path. If the structure is confusing, remove optional layers and start with these four directories. Add automation only after the first scenario proves a repeated need.

Next: Install the ChatGPT desktop app.