> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.proact0.org/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Template architecture

> This page explains what `act new` generates and how the template is organized.

This page explains why the generated layout looks the way it does.
Read it after the quickstart to understand how to extend your project safely.

## How generation works

Act Operator renders the template located in `act_operator/scaffold/`.
The inputs used to render the template are defined in `cookiecutter.json`:

* `act_name`, `act_slug`, `act_snake`
* `cast_name`, `cast_slug`, `cast_snake`, `cast_pascal`
* `language`

Template files use `{{ cookiecutter.* }}` placeholders to inject those values into file names and content.

## Template root (Act project)

The generated Act project includes:

* `casts/` for Cast packages (each Cast is an independent graph)
* `tests/` with Cast and node tests
* `.claude/skills/` with built-in Skills for AI collaboration
* `.github/workflows/` with CI workflows
* `pyproject.toml` for project configuration
* `langgraph.json` for graph configuration
* `.env.example` for environment variables
* `README.md` for project-specific instructions

## Cast package layout

Each Cast is generated under `casts/<cast>/` and includes:

```text theme={null}
casts/
  <cast>/
    graph.py
    pyproject.toml
    README.md
    modules/
      agents.py
      conditions.py
      middlewares.py
      models.py
      nodes.py
      prompts.py
      state.py
      tools.py
      utils.py
```

## Skills in the template

Built-in Skills are scaffolded under `.claude/skills/`:

* `architecting-act`
* `developing-cast`
* `engineering-act`
* `testing-cast`

Each Skill includes a `SKILL.md` file that AI tools can discover and follow.

## Tests

The template includes two test areas:

* `tests/cast_tests/` for Cast-level tests
* `tests/node_tests/` for node-level tests

## Next steps

<Columns cols={2}>
  <Card title="Overview" icon="map" href="/en/act-operator/overview">
    Review concepts and vocabulary
  </Card>

  <Card title="QuickStart" icon="rocket" href="/en/act-operator/python/quickstart">
    Go from zero to a working cast.
  </Card>
</Columns>