Copier is a library and command-line utility for rendering project templates.
Copier solves the problem of repetitive project scaffolding by providing a tool that generates new projects from templates. It works by reading template definitions from local paths or Git URLs, prompting users with a questionnaire configured in the template, and then rendering project files with dynamic value substitution. The tool uses Jinja templating to replace values in any kind of text file and takes care not to overwrite existing files unless explicitly instructed.
Copier suits both template creators who want to automate repetitive code patterns and template consumers who want to quickly start new projects or update existing ones as templates evolve. The tool supports code scaffolding to help developers get a working source tree quickly, and it also enables code lifecycle management by allowing projects to be updated when their source templates change. Copier can work with any file type and integrates into workflows either through its command-line interface or as a Python library, making it accessible to both individual developers and automated systems.
The project maintains active development with regular commits addressing bug fixes and feature improvements. The maintainers respond to issues and pull requests, indicating ongoing engagement with the user community. Documentation is kept current and comprehensive, covering both basic usage and advanced template creation patterns. The codebase shows attention to code quality through consistent maintenance and updates to dependencies.
