diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index 54107c0b..43fd6fab 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -1,104 +1,8 @@
-# Byte-compiled / optimized / DLL files
-__pycache__/
-*.py[cod]
-*$py.class
-
-# C extensions
-*.so
-
-# Distribution / packaging
-.Python
-env/
-build/
-develop-eggs/
-dist/
-downloads/
-eggs/
-.eggs/
-lib/
-lib64/
-parts/
-sdist/
-var/
-wheels/
 *.egg-info/
-.installed.cfg
-*.egg
-
-# PyInstaller
-#  Usually these files are written by a python script from a template
-#  before PyInstaller builds the exe, so as to inject date/other infos into it.
-*.manifest
-*.spec
-
-# Installer logs
-pip-log.txt
-pip-delete-this-directory.txt
-
-# Unit test / coverage reports
-htmlcov/
-.tox/
+*.py[cod]
 .coverage
-.coverage.*
-.cache
-nosetests.xml
-coverage.xml
-*.cover
-.hypothesis/
-
-# Translations
-*.mo
-*.pot
-
-# Django stuff:
-*.log
-local_settings.py
-
-# Flask stuff:
-instance/
-.webassets-cache
-
-# Scrapy stuff:
-.scrapy
-
-# Sphinx documentation
-docs/_build/
-
-# PyBuilder
-target/
-
-# Jupyter Notebook
-.ipynb_checkpoints
-
-# pyenv
-.python-version
-
-# celery beat schedule file
-celerybeat-schedule
-
-# SageMath parsed files
-*.sage.py
-
-# dotenv
-.env
-
-# virtualenv
-.venv
-venv/
-ENV/
-
-# Spyder project settings
-.spyderproject
-.spyproject
-
-# Rope project settings
-.ropeproject
-
-# mkdocs documentation
-/site
-
-# mypy
-.mypy_cache/
-
-# nox virtual envs
 .nox/
+__pycache__/
+build/
+dist/
+docs/source/api/babelizer*rst
diff --git a/.pre-commit-config.yaml b/.pre-commit-config.yaml
index 27b394d6..85d775c8 100644
--- a/.pre-commit-config.yaml
+++ b/.pre-commit-config.yaml
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 repos:
 - repo: https://github.com/psf/black
-  rev: 24.2.0
+  rev: 24.3.0
   hooks:
   - id: black
     name: black
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ repos:
     exclude: ^babelizer/data
 
 - repo: https://github.com/asottile/pyupgrade
-  rev: v3.15.1
+  rev: v3.15.2
   hooks:
   - id: pyupgrade
     args: [--py310-plus]
@@ -65,9 +65,18 @@ repos:
     - id: end-of-file-fixer
     - id: forbid-new-submodules
     - id: trailing-whitespace
+    - id: name-tests-test
+      exclude: ^external
+    - id: file-contents-sorter
+      files: |
+        (?x)^(
+          requirements(-\w+)?.(in|txt)|
+          external/requirements(-\w+)?.(in|txt)|
+          .gitignore
+        )
 
 - repo: https://github.com/pre-commit/mirrors-mypy
-  rev: v1.8.0
+  rev: v1.9.0
   hooks:
   - id: mypy
     additional_dependencies: [types-all]
diff --git a/MANIFEST.in b/MANIFEST.in
deleted file mode 100644
index b9ced9be..00000000
--- a/MANIFEST.in
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,19 +0,0 @@
-include *.rst
-include requirements*.txt
-include Makefile
-exclude .gitmodules
-exclude .readthedocs.yaml
-recursive-include babelizer/data *
-recursive-exclude docs *
-recursive-exclude paper *
-recursive-include tests *
-recursive-include external/bmi-example-c *
-recursive-include external/bmi-example-cxx *
-recursive-include external/bmi-example-fortran *
-recursive-include external/bmi-example-python *
-recursive-include external/tests *
-include external/requirements.txt
-exclude external/bmi-example-c/.git*
-exclude external/bmi-example-cxx/.git*
-exclude external/bmi-example-fortran/.git*
-exclude external/bmi-example-python/.git*
diff --git a/babelizer/_cookiecutter.py b/babelizer/_cookiecutter.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..8d068f3f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/babelizer/_cookiecutter.py
@@ -0,0 +1,92 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import os
+from collections.abc import Iterable
+from datetime import datetime
+from typing import Any
+
+from jinja2 import Environment
+from jinja2 import FileSystemLoader
+from jinja2 import StrictUndefined
+from jinja2 import Template
+
+from babelizer._datadir import get_template_dir
+from babelizer._post_hook import run
+from babelizer._utils import as_cwd
+
+
+def cookiecutter(
+    template: str,
+    context: dict[str, Any] | None = None,
+    output_dir: str = ".",
+) -> None:
+    if context is None:
+        context = {}
+    env = babelizer_environment(template)
+
+    def datetime_format(value: datetime, format_: str = "%Y-%M-%D") -> str:
+        return value.strftime(format_)
+
+    env.filters["datetimeformat"] = datetime_format
+
+    for dirpath, _dirnames, filenames in os.walk(template):
+        rel_path = os.path.relpath(dirpath, template)
+        target_dir = os.path.join(output_dir, render_path(rel_path, context))
+
+        if not os.path.exists(target_dir):
+            os.makedirs(target_dir)
+
+        for filename in filenames:
+            target_path = os.path.join(target_dir, render_path(filename, context))
+
+            with open(target_path, "w") as fp:
+                fp.write(
+                    env.get_template(os.path.join(rel_path, filename)).render(**context)
+                )
+
+    with as_cwd(output_dir):
+        run(context)
+
+
+def babelizer_environment(template: str | None = None) -> Environment:
+    if template is None:
+        template = get_template_dir()
+
+    return Environment(loader=FileSystemLoader(template), undefined=StrictUndefined)
+
+
+def render_path(
+    path: str,
+    context: dict[str, Any],
+    remove_extension: Iterable[str] = (".jinja", ".jinja2", ".j2"),
+) -> str:
+    """Render a path as though it were a jinja template.
+
+    Parameters
+    ----------
+    path : str
+        A path.
+    context : dict
+        Context to use for substitution.
+    remove_extension : iterable of str, optional
+        If the provided path ends with one of these exensions,
+        the extension will be removed from the rendered path.
+
+    Examples
+    --------
+    >>> from babelizer._cookiecutter import render_path
+    >>> render_path("{{foo}}.py", {"foo": "bar"})
+    'bar.py'
+    >>> render_path("{{foo}}.py.jinja", {"foo": "bar"})
+    'bar.py'
+    >>> render_path("bar.py.j2", {"foo": "bar"})
+    'bar.py'
+    >>> render_path("{{bar}}.py.jinja", {"foo": "bar"})
+    Traceback (most recent call last):
+    ...
+    jinja2.exceptions.UndefinedError: 'bar' is undefined
+    """
+    rendered_path = Template(path, undefined=StrictUndefined).render(**context)
+
+    root, ext = os.path.splitext(rendered_path)
+    return rendered_path if ext not in remove_extension else root
diff --git a/babelizer/_datadir.py b/babelizer/_datadir.py
index afb08e36..00fc70b5 100644
--- a/babelizer/_datadir.py
+++ b/babelizer/_datadir.py
@@ -10,3 +10,7 @@
 
 def get_datadir() -> str:
     return str(importlib_resources.files("babelizer") / "data")
+
+
+def get_template_dir() -> str:
+    return str(importlib_resources.files("babelizer") / "data" / "templates")
diff --git a/babelizer/_files/bmi_py.py b/babelizer/_files/bmi_py.py
index 1d00e5b3..e032fcde 100644
--- a/babelizer/_files/bmi_py.py
+++ b/babelizer/_files/bmi_py.py
@@ -5,30 +5,30 @@
 from typing import Any
 
 
-def render(plugin_metadata: Mapping[str, Any]) -> str:
+def render(context: Mapping[str, Any]) -> str:
     """Render _bmi.py."""
-    languages = {library["language"] for library in plugin_metadata["library"].values()}
+    languages = {library["language"] for library in context["library"].values()}
     assert len(languages) == 1
     language = languages.pop()
 
     if language == "python":
-        return _render_bmi_py(plugin_metadata)
+        return _render_bmi_py(context)
     else:
-        return _render_bmi_c(plugin_metadata)
+        return _render_bmi_c(context)
 
 
-def _render_bmi_c(plugin_metadata: Mapping[str, Any]) -> str:
+def _render_bmi_c(context: Mapping[str, Any]) -> str:
     """Render _bmi.py for a non-python library."""
-    languages = [library["language"] for library in plugin_metadata["library"].values()]
+    languages = [library["language"] for library in context["library"].values()]
     language = languages[0]
     assert language in ("c", "c++", "fortran")
 
     imports = [
-        f"from {plugin_metadata['package']['name']}.lib import {cls}"
-        for cls in plugin_metadata["library"]
+        f"from {context['package']['name']}.lib import {cls}"
+        for cls in context["library"]
     ]
 
-    names = [f"    {cls!r},".replace("'", '"') for cls in plugin_metadata["library"]]
+    names = [f"    {cls!r},".replace("'", '"') for cls in context["library"]]
 
     return f"""\
 {os.linesep.join(sorted(imports))}
@@ -39,9 +39,9 @@ def _render_bmi_c(plugin_metadata: Mapping[str, Any]) -> str:
 """
 
 
-def _render_bmi_py(plugin_metadata: Mapping[str, Any]) -> str:
+def _render_bmi_py(context: Mapping[str, Any]) -> str:
     """Render _bmi.py for a python library."""
-    languages = [library["language"] for library in plugin_metadata["library"].values()]
+    languages = [library["language"] for library in context["library"].values()]
     language = languages[0]
     assert language == "python"
 
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ def _render_bmi_py(plugin_metadata: Mapping[str, Any]) -> str:
 
     imports = [
         f"from {component['library']} import {component['entry_point']} as {cls}"
-        for cls, component in plugin_metadata["library"].items()
+        for cls, component in context["library"].items()
     ]
 
     rename = [
@@ -66,10 +66,10 @@ def _render_bmi_py(plugin_metadata: Mapping[str, Any]) -> str:
 """.replace(
             "'", '"'
         )
-        for cls in plugin_metadata["library"]
+        for cls in context["library"]
     ]
 
-    names = [f"    {cls!r},".replace("'", '"') for cls in plugin_metadata["library"]]
+    names = [f"    {cls!r},".replace("'", '"') for cls in context["library"]]
 
     return f"""\
 {header}
diff --git a/babelizer/_files/gitignore.py b/babelizer/_files/gitignore.py
index 12961061..51cbbe8d 100644
--- a/babelizer/_files/gitignore.py
+++ b/babelizer/_files/gitignore.py
@@ -5,11 +5,11 @@
 from typing import Any
 
 
-def render(plugin_metadata: Mapping[str, Any]) -> str:
+def render(context: Mapping[str, Any]) -> str:
     """Render a .gitignore file."""
-    package_name = plugin_metadata["package"]["name"]
+    package_name = context["package"]["name"]
 
-    languages = {library["language"] for library in plugin_metadata["library"].values()}
+    languages = {library["language"] for library in context["library"].values()}
     ignore = {
         "*.egg-info/",
         "*.py[cod]",
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ def render(plugin_metadata: Mapping[str, Any]) -> str:
 
     if "python" not in languages:
         ignore |= {"*.o", "*.so"} | {
-            f"{package_name}/lib/{cls.lower()}.c" for cls in plugin_metadata["library"]
+            f"{package_name}/lib/{cls.lower()}.c" for cls in context["library"]
         }
 
     if "fortran" in languages:
diff --git a/babelizer/_files/init_py.py b/babelizer/_files/init_py.py
index 5999df84..3e692715 100644
--- a/babelizer/_files/init_py.py
+++ b/babelizer/_files/init_py.py
@@ -5,16 +5,14 @@
 from typing import Any
 
 
-def render(plugin_metadata: Mapping[str, Any]) -> str:
+def render(context: Mapping[str, Any]) -> str:
     """Render __init__.py."""
-    package_name = plugin_metadata["package"]["name"]
+    package_name = context["package"]["name"]
 
     imports = [f"from {package_name}._version import __version__"]
-    imports += [
-        f"from {package_name}._bmi import {cls}" for cls in plugin_metadata["library"]
-    ]
+    imports += [f"from {package_name}._bmi import {cls}" for cls in context["library"]]
 
-    names = [f"    {cls!r},".replace("'", '"') for cls in plugin_metadata["library"]]
+    names = [f"    {cls!r},".replace("'", '"') for cls in context["library"]]
 
     return f"""\
 {os.linesep.join(sorted(imports))}
diff --git a/babelizer/_files/lib_init_py.py b/babelizer/_files/lib_init_py.py
index 269b655c..e726f141 100644
--- a/babelizer/_files/lib_init_py.py
+++ b/babelizer/_files/lib_init_py.py
@@ -5,15 +5,15 @@
 from typing import Any
 
 
-def render(plugin_metadata: Mapping[str, Any]) -> str:
+def render(context: Mapping[str, Any]) -> str:
     """Render lib/__init__.py."""
-    package_name = plugin_metadata["package"]["name"]
+    package_name = context["package"]["name"]
     imports = [
         f"from {package_name}.lib.{cls.lower()} import {cls}"
-        for cls in plugin_metadata["library"]
+        for cls in context["library"]
     ]
 
-    names = [f"    {cls!r},".replace("'", '"') for cls in plugin_metadata["library"]]
+    names = [f"    {cls!r},".replace("'", '"') for cls in context["library"]]
 
     return f"""\
 {os.linesep.join(sorted(imports))}
diff --git a/babelizer/_files/license_rst.py b/babelizer/_files/license_rst.py
index 1d5bc49d..beb65bb1 100644
--- a/babelizer/_files/license_rst.py
+++ b/babelizer/_files/license_rst.py
@@ -5,13 +5,13 @@
 from typing import Any
 
 
-def render(plugin_metadata: Mapping[str, Any]) -> str:
+def render(context: Mapping[str, Any]) -> str:
     """Render LICENSE.rst."""
-    license_name = plugin_metadata["info"]["package_license"]
+    license_name = context["info"]["package_license"]
     kwds = {
-        "full_name": plugin_metadata["info"]["package_author"],
+        "full_name": context["info"]["package_author"],
         "year": datetime.now().year,
-        "project_short_description": plugin_metadata["info"]["summary"],
+        "project_short_description": context["info"]["summary"],
     }
 
     return LICENSE[license_name].format(**kwds)
diff --git a/babelizer/_files/readme.py b/babelizer/_files/readme.py
index f9cdbf92..bd2eec57 100644
--- a/babelizer/_files/readme.py
+++ b/babelizer/_files/readme.py
@@ -2,14 +2,10 @@
 
 from typing import Any
 
-from jinja2 import Environment
-from jinja2 import FileSystemLoader
-
-from babelizer._datadir import get_datadir
+from babelizer._cookiecutter import babelizer_environment
 
 
 def render(context: dict[str, Any]) -> str:
-    env = Environment(loader=FileSystemLoader(get_datadir()))
-    template = env.get_template("{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/README.rst")
+    template = babelizer_environment().get_template("README.rst")
 
     return template.render(**context)
diff --git a/babelizer/_post_hook.py b/babelizer/_post_hook.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..6f48e7ac
--- /dev/null
+++ b/babelizer/_post_hook.py
@@ -0,0 +1,155 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import errno
+import os
+import re
+from collections import defaultdict
+from collections.abc import Iterable
+from pathlib import Path
+from typing import Any
+
+from logoizer import logoize
+
+# PROJECT_DIRECTORY = Path.cwd().resolve()
+
+
+# def remove_file(filepath: Path) -> None:
+#     filepath.unlink(filepath)
+#     # (PROJECT_DIRECTORY / filepath).unlink(filepath)
+
+
+# def remove_folder(folderpath):
+#     shutil.rmtree(PROJECT_DIRECTORY / folderpath)
+
+
+# def make_folder(folderpath):
+#     try:
+#         # (PROJECT_DIRECTORY / folderpath).mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
+#         folderpath.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
+#     except OSError:
+#         pass
+
+
+def clean_folder(folderpath: Path, keep: Iterable[str | Path] = ()) -> None:
+    keep = {str((folderpath / path).resolve()) for path in keep}
+    # if keep:
+    #     keep = set([str((folderpath / path).resolve()) for path in keep])
+    # else:
+    #     keep = set()
+
+    # folderpath = PROJECT_DIRECTORY / folderpath
+    for fname in folderpath.glob("*"):
+        if not fname.is_dir() and str(fname.resolve()) not in keep:
+            fname.unlink()
+
+    try:
+        folderpath.rmdir()
+    except OSError as err:
+        if err.errno != errno.ENOTEMPTY:
+            raise
+
+
+def split_file(filepath: Path, include_preamble: bool = False) -> set[str]:
+    filepath = Path(filepath)
+    SPLIT_START_REGEX = re.compile(r"\s*#\s*start:\s*(?P<fname>\S+)\s*")
+
+    files = defaultdict(list)
+    fname = "preamble"
+    with open(filepath) as fp:
+        for line in fp:
+            m = SPLIT_START_REGEX.match(line)
+            if m:
+                fname = m["fname"]
+            files[fname].append(line)
+
+    preamble = files.pop("preamble")
+    folderpath = filepath.parent
+    for name, contents in files.items():
+        with open(folderpath / name, "w") as fp:
+            if include_preamble:
+                fp.write("".join(preamble))
+            print("".join(contents).strip(), file=fp)
+            # fp.write("".join(contents).strip())
+
+    return set(files)
+
+
+def write_api_yaml(folderpath: Path, **kwds: str) -> Path:
+    # make_folder(folderpath)
+    os.makedirs(folderpath, exist_ok=True)
+
+    # api_yaml = PROJECT_DIRECTORY / folderpath / "api.yaml"
+    api_yaml = folderpath / "api.yaml"
+    contents = """\
+name: {package_name}
+language: {language}
+package: {package_name}
+class: {plugin_class}
+""".format(
+        **kwds
+    )
+    with open(api_yaml, "w") as fp:
+        fp.write(contents)
+
+    return api_yaml
+
+
+def remove_trailing_whitespace(path: str | Path) -> None:
+    with open(path) as fp:
+        lines = [line.rstrip() for line in fp]
+    with open(path, "w") as fp:
+        print(os.linesep.join(lines), file=fp)
+
+
+def run(context: dict[str, Any]) -> None:
+    PROJECT_DIRECTORY = Path.cwd().resolve()
+
+    package_name = context["package"]["name"]
+    language = context["language"]
+
+    LIB_DIRECTORY = PROJECT_DIRECTORY / Path(package_name, "lib")
+
+    keep = set()
+
+    static_dir = PROJECT_DIRECTORY / "docs" / "_static"
+    # make_folder(PROJECT_DIRECTORY / static_dir)
+    os.makedirs(PROJECT_DIRECTORY / static_dir, exist_ok=True)
+
+    logoize(package_name, static_dir / "logo-light.svg", light=True)
+    logoize(package_name, static_dir / "logo-dark.svg", light=False)
+
+    remove_trailing_whitespace(static_dir / "logo-dark.svg")
+    remove_trailing_whitespace(static_dir / "logo-light.svg")
+
+    if language == "c":
+        keep |= {"__init__.py", "bmi.c", "bmi.h"}
+        keep |= split_file(LIB_DIRECTORY / "_c.pyx", include_preamble=True)
+    elif language == "c++":
+        keep |= {"__init__.py", "bmi.hxx"}
+        keep |= split_file(LIB_DIRECTORY / "_cxx.pyx", include_preamble=True)
+    elif language == "fortran":
+        keep |= {
+            "__init__.py",
+            "bmi.f90",
+            "bmi_interoperability.f90",
+            "bmi_interoperability.h",
+        }
+        keep |= split_file(LIB_DIRECTORY / "_fortran.pyx", include_preamble=True)
+
+    clean_folder(LIB_DIRECTORY, keep=keep)
+
+    if language == "python":
+        os.remove(PROJECT_DIRECTORY / "meson.build")
+
+    datadir = Path("meta")
+    package_datadir = Path(package_name) / "data"
+    if not package_datadir.exists():
+        package_datadir.symlink_to(".." / datadir, target_is_directory=True)
+
+    for babelized_class in context["components"]:
+        write_api_yaml(
+            PROJECT_DIRECTORY / datadir / babelized_class,
+            language=language,
+            plugin_class=babelized_class,
+            package_name=package_name,
+        )
diff --git a/babelizer/_utils.py b/babelizer/_utils.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..7b18b670
--- /dev/null
+++ b/babelizer/_utils.py
@@ -0,0 +1,192 @@
+"""Utility functions used by the babelizer."""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import os
+import pathlib
+import subprocess
+import sys
+from collections.abc import Generator
+from collections.abc import Iterable
+from collections.abc import Sequence
+from contextlib import contextmanager
+from contextlib import suppress
+from typing import Any
+
+from babelizer.errors import SetupPyError
+from babelizer.errors import ValidationError
+
+
+def execute(args: Sequence[str]) -> subprocess.CompletedProcess[bytes]:
+    """Run a command through the ``subprocess`` module.
+
+    Parameters
+    ----------
+    args : list
+        Command and arguments to command.
+
+    Returns
+    -------
+    ~subprocess.CompletedProcess
+        results from :func:`subprocess.run`.
+    """
+    return subprocess.run(args, capture_output=True, check=True)
+
+
+def setup_py(*args: str) -> list[str]:
+    """Format the command to build/install the babelized package.
+
+    Returns
+    -------
+    list of str
+        The build/install command.
+    """
+    return [sys.executable, "setup.py"] + list(args)
+
+
+def get_setup_py_version() -> str | None:
+    """Get babelized package version.
+
+    Returns
+    -------
+    str or None
+        Package version.
+
+    Raises
+    ------
+    SetupPyError
+        If calling ``python setup.py`` raises an exception.
+    """
+    if pathlib.Path("setup.py").exists():
+        try:
+            execute(setup_py("egg_info"))
+        except subprocess.CalledProcessError as err:
+            stderr = err.stderr.decode("utf-8")
+            if "Traceback" in stderr:
+                raise SetupPyError(stderr) from None
+            return None
+        result = execute(setup_py("--version"))
+        return result.stdout.splitlines()[0].decode("utf-8")
+    else:
+        return None
+
+
+@contextmanager
+def save_files(files: Iterable[str]) -> Generator[dict[str, str], None, None]:
+    """Generate repository files through a context.
+
+    Parameters
+    ----------
+    files : list of str
+        List of path-like objects.
+
+    Yields
+    ------
+    str
+        Generator for repository files.
+    """
+    contents = {}
+    for file_ in files:
+        with suppress(FileNotFoundError), open(file_) as fp:
+            contents[file_] = fp.read()
+    yield contents
+    for file_ in contents:
+        with open(file_, "w") as fp:
+            fp.write(contents[file_])
+
+
+@contextmanager
+def as_cwd(path: str) -> Generator[None, None, None]:
+    """Change directory context.
+
+    Parameters
+    ----------
+    path : str
+        Path-like object to a directory.
+    """
+    prev_cwd = os.getcwd()
+    os.chdir(path)
+    yield
+    os.chdir(prev_cwd)
+
+
+def parse_entry_point(specifier: str) -> tuple[str, str, str]:
+    """Parse an entry point specifier into its parts.
+
+    Parameters
+    ----------
+    specifier : str
+        An entry-point specifier.
+
+    Returns
+    -------
+    tuple of str
+        The parts of the entry point as (*name*, *module*, *class*).
+
+    Raises
+    ------
+    ValidationError
+        If the entry point cannot be parsed.
+
+    Examples
+    --------
+    >>> from babelizer._utils import parse_entry_point
+    >>> parse_entry_point("Foo=bar:Baz")
+    ('Foo', 'bar', 'Baz')
+
+    >>> parse_entry_point("bar:Baz")
+    Traceback (most recent call last):
+    ...
+    babelizer.errors.ValidationError: bad entry point specifier (bar:Baz). specifier must be of the form name=module:class
+    """
+    try:
+        name, value = (item.strip() for item in specifier.split("="))
+        module, obj = (item.strip() for item in value.split(":"))
+    except ValueError:
+        raise ValidationError(
+            f"bad entry point specifier ({specifier}). specifier must be of"
+            " the form name=module:class"
+        ) from None
+
+    return name, module, obj
+
+
+def validate_dict_keys(
+    meta: dict[str, Any],
+    required: Iterable[str] | None = None,
+    optional: Iterable[str] | None = None,
+) -> None:
+    """Validate the keys of a dict.
+
+    Parameters
+    ----------
+    meta : dict
+        Dictionary to validate.
+    required : dict, optional
+        Required keys in configuration.
+    optional : dict, optional
+        Optional keys in configuration.
+
+    Raises
+    ------
+    ValidationError
+        Raised for invalid dict.
+    """
+    actual = set(meta)
+    required = set() if required is None else set(required)
+    optional = required if optional is None else set(optional)
+    valid = required | optional
+
+    if missing := required - actual:
+        raise ValidationError(
+            "missing required key{}: {}".format(
+                "s" if len(missing) > 1 else "", ", ".join(missing)
+            )
+        )
+
+    if unknown := actual - valid:
+        raise ValidationError(
+            "unknown key{}: {}".format(
+                "s" if len(unknown) > 1 else "", ", ".join(unknown)
+            )
+        )
diff --git a/babelizer/cli.py b/babelizer/cli.py
index 42b49ac8..029f191d 100644
--- a/babelizer/cli.py
+++ b/babelizer/cli.py
@@ -14,19 +14,19 @@
 import click
 import git
 
-from babelizer._datadir import get_datadir
+from babelizer._datadir import get_template_dir
 from babelizer._files.gitignore import render as render_gitignore
 from babelizer._files.license_rst import render as render_license
 from babelizer._files.meson_build import render as render_meson_build
 from babelizer._files.readme import render as render_readme
+from babelizer._utils import get_setup_py_version
+from babelizer._utils import save_files
+from babelizer.config import BabelConfig
 from babelizer.errors import OutputDirExistsError
 from babelizer.errors import ScanError
 from babelizer.errors import SetupPyError
 from babelizer.errors import ValidationError
-from babelizer.metadata import BabelMetadata
 from babelizer.render import render
-from babelizer.utils import get_setup_py_version
-from babelizer.utils import save_files
 
 out = partial(click.secho, bold=True, err=True)
 err = partial(click.secho, fg="red", err=True)
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ def babelize(cd: str) -> None:
 @click.option(
     "--template",
     default=None,
-    help="Location of cookiecutter template",
+    help="Location of templates",
 )
 @click.option(
     "--package-version",
@@ -83,21 +83,22 @@ def init(
 
     META is babelizer configuration information, usually saved to a file.
     """
-    output = "."
-    template = template or get_datadir()
+    template = template or get_template_dir()
 
     if not quiet:
         out(f"reading template from {template}")
 
     fmt = pathlib.Path(meta.name).suffix[1:] or "toml"
     try:
-        babel_metadata = BabelMetadata.from_stream(cast(io.TextIOBase, meta), fmt=fmt)
+        babel_config = BabelConfig.from_stream(cast(io.TextIOBase, meta), fmt=fmt)
     except (ScanError, ValidationError) as error:
         raise BabelizerAbort(str(error))
 
+    output = babel_config["package"]["name"]
+
     try:
         new_folder = render(
-            babel_metadata,
+            babel_config,
             output,
             template=template,
             clobber=False,
@@ -111,6 +112,7 @@ def init(
             "Don't forget to drop model metadata files into"
             f" {os.path.join(new_folder, 'meta')}"
         )
+
     repo = git.Repo(new_folder)
     repo.git.add("--all")
     repo.index.commit("Initial commit")
@@ -134,7 +136,7 @@ def init(
 @click.option(
     "--template",
     default=None,
-    help="Location of cookiecutter template",
+    help="Location of templates",
 )
 @click.option(
     "--set-version", default=None, help="Set the version of the updated package"
@@ -147,24 +149,24 @@ def update(
     package_path = os.path.realpath(".")
     for fname in ("babel.toml", "babel.yaml", "plugin.yaml"):
         # if (package_path / fname).is_file():
-        #     metadata_path = package_path / fname
+        #     config_path = package_path / fname
         if os.path.isfile(os.path.join(package_path, fname)):
-            metadata_path = os.path.join(package_path, fname)
+            config_path = os.path.join(package_path, fname)
             break
     else:
-        metadata_path = None
+        config_path = None
 
-    if not metadata_path:
+    if not config_path:
         err("this does not appear to be a babelized folder (missing 'babel.toml')")
         raise click.Abort()
 
-    template = template or get_datadir()
+    template = template or get_template_dir()
 
     if not quiet:
         out(f"reading template from {template}")
 
     try:
-        babel_metadata = BabelMetadata.from_path(metadata_path)
+        babel_config = BabelConfig.from_path(config_path)
     except ValidationError as error:
         raise BabelizerAbort(str(error))
 
@@ -185,7 +187,7 @@ def update(
     out(f"re-rendering {package_path}")
     with save_files(["CHANGES.rst", "CREDITS.rst"]):
         render(
-            babel_metadata,
+            babel_config,
             os.path.dirname(package_path),
             # package_path.parent,
             template=template,
@@ -194,7 +196,7 @@ def update(
         )
 
     extra_files = _repo_contents(package_path) - _generated_files(
-        babel_metadata, template=template, version=version
+        babel_config, template=template, version=version
     )
 
     ignore = ["meta*", "notebooks*", "docs*", "**/data"]
@@ -272,21 +274,19 @@ def sample_meson_build(extension: Collection[str]) -> None:
 @babelize.command()
 def sample_readme() -> None:
     context = {
-        "cookiecutter": {
-            "language": "python",
-            "open_source_license": "MIT License",
-            "package_name": "springfield_monorail",
-            "info": {
-                "github_username": "lyle-lanley",
-                "package_author": "Lyle Lanley",
-                "summary": "A Monorail!",
-                "package_license": "MIT License",
-            },
-            "components": {
-                "Monorail": {"library": "monorail"},
-                "Rail": {"library": "rail"},
-            },
-        }
+        "language": "python",
+        "open_source_license": "MIT License",
+        "info": {
+            "github_username": "lyle-lanley",
+            "package_author": "Lyle Lanley",
+            "summary": "A Monorail!",
+            "package_license": "MIT License",
+        },
+        "components": {
+            "Monorail": {"library": "monorail"},
+            "Rail": {"library": "rail"},
+        },
+        "package": {"name": "springfield_monorail"},
     }
     print(render_readme(context))
 
@@ -310,11 +310,11 @@ def _repo_contents(base: str) -> set[str]:
 
 
 def _generated_files(
-    babel_metadata: BabelMetadata, template: str | None = None, version: str = "0.1"
+    babel_config: BabelConfig, template: str | None = None, version: str = "0.1"
 ) -> set[str]:
     with tempfile.TemporaryDirectory() as tmpdir:
         new_folder = render(
-            babel_metadata,
+            babel_config,
             tmpdir,
             template=template,
             version=version,
diff --git a/babelizer/metadata.py b/babelizer/config.py
similarity index 56%
rename from babelizer/metadata.py
rename to babelizer/config.py
index c407cae1..1e466be8 100644
--- a/babelizer/metadata.py
+++ b/babelizer/config.py
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-"""Library metadata used by the babelizer to wrap libraries."""
+"""Library configuration used by the babelizer to wrap libraries."""
 
 from __future__ import annotations
 
@@ -9,7 +9,6 @@
 from collections import defaultdict
 from collections.abc import Callable
 from collections.abc import Generator
-from collections.abc import Iterable
 from collections.abc import Mapping
 from contextlib import suppress
 from typing import Any
@@ -22,63 +21,14 @@
 else:  # pragma: no cover (<PY311)
     import tomli as tomllib
 
+from babelizer._utils import parse_entry_point
+from babelizer._utils import validate_dict_keys
 from babelizer.errors import ScanError
 from babelizer.errors import ValidationError
 
 
-def validate_dict(
-    meta: dict[str, Any],
-    required: Iterable[str] | None = None,
-    optional: Iterable[str] | None = None,
-) -> None:
-    """Validate babelizer configuration metadata.
-
-    Parameters
-    ----------
-    meta : dict
-        Configuration metadata
-    required : dict, optional
-        Required keys in configuration.
-    optional : dict, optional
-        Optional keys in configuration.
-
-    Raises
-    ------
-    ValidationError
-        Raised for invalid metadata.
-    """
-    actual = set(meta)
-    required = set() if required is None else set(required)
-    optional = required if optional is None else set(optional)
-    valid = required | optional
-
-    if missing := required - actual:
-        raise ValidationError(
-            "missing required key{}: {}".format(
-                "s" if len(missing) > 1 else "", ", ".join(missing)
-            )
-        )
-
-    if unknown := actual - valid:
-        raise ValidationError(
-            "unknown key{}: {}".format(
-                "s" if len(unknown) > 1 else "", ", ".join(unknown)
-            )
-        )
-
-
-def _norm_os(name: str) -> str:
-    if name == "linux":
-        name = "ubuntu"
-    elif name == "mac":
-        name = "macos"
-    if not name.endswith("-latest"):
-        name += "-latest"
-    return name
-
-
-class BabelMetadata(Mapping[str, Any]):
-    """Library metadata."""
+class BabelConfig(Mapping[str, Any]):
+    """Babelizer configuration."""
 
     LOADERS: dict[str, Callable[[str], dict[str, Any]]] = {
         "yaml": yaml.safe_load,
@@ -94,7 +44,7 @@ def __init__(
         plugin: dict[str, Any] | None = None,
         ci: dict[str, Any] | None = None,
     ):
-        """Metadata used by the babelizer to wrap a library.
+        """Configuration used by the babelizer to wrap a library.
 
         Parameters
         ----------
@@ -127,11 +77,11 @@ def __init__(
             "ci": dict(ci or {}),
         }
 
-        BabelMetadata.validate(config)
+        BabelConfig.validate(config)
 
-        self._meta = BabelMetadata.norm(config)
+        self._meta = BabelConfig.norm(config)
 
-    def __getitem__(self, key: str) -> str:
+    def __getitem__(self, key: str) -> dict[str, Any]:
         return self._meta[key]
 
     def __iter__(self) -> Generator[str, None, None]:
@@ -141,8 +91,8 @@ def __len__(self) -> int:
         return len(self._meta)
 
     @classmethod
-    def from_stream(cls, stream: io.TextIOBase, fmt: str = "toml") -> BabelMetadata:
-        """Create an instance of BabelMetadata from a file-like object.
+    def from_stream(cls, stream: io.TextIOBase, fmt: str = "toml") -> BabelConfig:
+        """Create an instance of BabelConfig from a file-like object.
 
         Parameters
         ----------
@@ -153,28 +103,28 @@ def from_stream(cls, stream: io.TextIOBase, fmt: str = "toml") -> BabelMetadata:
 
         Returns
         -------
-        BabelMetadata
-            A BabelMetadata instance.
+        BabelConfig
+            A BabelConfig instance.
         """
         try:
-            loader = BabelMetadata.LOADERS[fmt]
+            loader = BabelConfig.LOADERS[fmt]
         except KeyError:
             raise ValueError(f"unrecognized format ({fmt})")
 
         try:
             meta = loader(stream.read())
         except yaml.scanner.ScannerError as error:
-            raise ScanError(f"unable to scan yaml-formatted metadata file:\n{error}")
+            raise ScanError(f"unable to scan yaml-formatted config file:\n{error}")
         except tomllib.TOMLDecodeError as error:
-            raise ScanError(f"unable to scan toml-formatted metadata file:\n{error}")
+            raise ScanError(f"unable to scan toml-formatted config file:\n{error}")
         else:
             if not isinstance(meta, dict):
-                raise ValidationError("metadata file does not contain a mapping object")
+                raise ValidationError("config file does not contain a mapping object")
         return cls(**meta)
 
     @classmethod
-    def from_path(cls, filepath: str) -> BabelMetadata:
-        """Create an instance of BabelMetadata from a path-like object.
+    def from_path(cls, filepath: str) -> BabelConfig:
+        """Create an instance of BabelConfig from a path-like object.
 
         Parameters
         ----------
@@ -183,44 +133,46 @@ def from_path(cls, filepath: str) -> BabelMetadata:
 
         Returns
         -------
-            A BabelMetadata instance.
+            A BabelConfig instance.
         """
         path = pathlib.Path(filepath)
 
         with open(filepath) as fp:
-            return BabelMetadata.from_stream(fp, fmt=path.suffix[1:])
+            return BabelConfig.from_stream(fp, fmt=path.suffix[1:])
 
     @staticmethod
     def validate(config: dict[str, Any]) -> None:
-        """Ensure babelizer configuration metadata are valid.
+        """Ensure babelizer configuration is valid.
 
         Parameters
         ----------
         config : dict
-            Metadata to babelize a library.
+            Configuration to babelize a library.
 
         Raises
         ------
         ValidationError
-            If metadata are not valid.
+            If configuration is not valid.
         """
         libraries = config["library"]
         if "entry_point" in libraries:
-            validate_dict(libraries, required=("language", "entry_point"), optional={})
+            validate_dict_keys(
+                libraries, required=("language", "entry_point"), optional={}
+            )
             for entry_point in libraries["entry_point"]:
                 try:
-                    BabelMetadata.parse_entry_point(entry_point)
+                    parse_entry_point(entry_point)
                 except ValidationError:
                     raise ValidationError(f"poorly-formed entry point ({entry_point})")
         else:
             for _babelized_class, library in libraries.items():
-                validate_dict(
+                validate_dict_keys(
                     library,
                     required={"language", "library", "header", "entry_point"},
                     optional={},
                 )
 
-        validate_dict(
+        validate_dict_keys(
             config["build"],
             required=None,
             optional=(
@@ -232,11 +184,13 @@ def validate(config: dict[str, Any]) -> None:
                 "extra_compile_args",
             ),
         )
-        validate_dict(config["package"], required=("name", "requirements"), optional={})
-        validate_dict(config["ci"], required=("python_version", "os"), optional={})
+        validate_dict_keys(
+            config["package"], required=("name", "requirements"), optional={}
+        )
+        validate_dict_keys(config["ci"], required=("python_version", "os"), optional={})
 
         try:
-            validate_dict(
+            validate_dict_keys(
                 config["info"],
                 required=(
                     "package_author",
@@ -248,7 +202,7 @@ def validate(config: dict[str, Any]) -> None:
                 optional={},
             )
         except ValidationError:
-            validate_dict(
+            validate_dict_keys(
                 config["info"],
                 required=(
                     "plugin_author",
@@ -277,9 +231,7 @@ def _header_ext(language: str) -> str:
 
         libraries = {}
         for entry_point in entry_points:
-            babelized_class, library_name, class_name = BabelMetadata.parse_entry_point(
-                entry_point
-            )
+            babelized_class, library_name, class_name = parse_entry_point(entry_point)
             libraries[babelized_class] = {
                 "language": language,
                 "library": library_name,
@@ -301,37 +253,41 @@ def _handle_old_style_info(info: dict[str, Any]) -> dict[str, Any]:
 
     @staticmethod
     def norm(config: dict[str, Any]) -> dict[str, Any]:
-        """Ensure current style metadata are used in babelizer configuration.
+        """Ensure current style is used in babelizer configuration.
 
         Parameters
         ----------
         config : dict
-            Metadata to babelize a library.
+            Configuration to babelize a library.
 
         Return
         ------
         dict
-            A dict of babelizer configuration metadata.
+            A dict of babelizer configuration.
         """
         build: dict[str, list[str]] = defaultdict(list)
         with suppress(KeyError):
             build.update(config["build"])
 
         if "entry_point" in config["library"]:
-            libraries = BabelMetadata._handle_old_style_entry_points(config["library"])
+            libraries = BabelConfig._handle_old_style_entry_points(config["library"])
         else:
             libraries = {k: dict(v) for k, v in config["library"].items()}
 
         if "plugin_author" in config["info"]:
-            info = BabelMetadata._handle_old_style_info(config["info"])
+            info = BabelConfig._handle_old_style_info(config["info"])
         else:
             info = config["info"]
 
         if "all" in config["ci"]["os"]:
             config["ci"] = ["linux", "mac", "windows"]
 
+        languages = [lib["language"] for lib in config["library"].values()]
+        language = languages[0]
+
         return {
             "library": libraries,
+            "components": config["library"],
             "build": {
                 "undef_macros": build["undef_macros"],
                 "define_macros": build["define_macros"],
@@ -349,10 +305,11 @@ def norm(config: dict[str, Any]) -> dict[str, Any]:
                 "python_version": sorted(config["ci"]["python_version"]),
                 "os": sorted(config["ci"]["os"]),
             },
+            "language": language,
         }
 
     def dump(self, fp: io.TextIOBase, fmt: str = "toml") -> None:
-        """Write serialized metadata to a file.
+        """Write serialized configuration to a file.
 
         Parameters
         ----------
@@ -364,7 +321,7 @@ def dump(self, fp: io.TextIOBase, fmt: str = "toml") -> None:
         print(self.format(fmt=fmt), file=fp, end="")
 
     def format(self, fmt: str = "toml") -> str:
-        """Serialize metadata to output format.
+        """Serialize configuration to output format.
 
         Parameters
         ----------
@@ -373,95 +330,17 @@ def format(self, fmt: str = "toml") -> str:
 
         Returns
         -------
-        metadata : str
-            Serialized metadata.
+        config : str
+            Serialized configuration.
         """
         return getattr(self, f"format_{fmt}")()
 
     def format_toml(self) -> str:
-        """Serialize metadata as TOML.
+        """Serialize configuration as TOML.
 
         Returns
         -------
         str
-            Serialized metadata as a TOML-formatted string
+            Serialized configuration as a TOML-formatted string
         """
         return tomli_w.dumps(self._meta, multiline_strings=True)
-
-    @staticmethod
-    def parse_entry_point(specifier: str) -> tuple[str, str, str]:
-        """Parse an entry point specifier into its parts.
-
-        Parameters
-        ----------
-        specifier : str
-            An entry-point specifier.
-
-        Returns
-        -------
-        tuple of str
-            The parts of the entry point as (*name*, *module*, *class*).
-
-        Raises
-        ------
-        ValidationError
-            If the entry point cannot be parsed.
-
-        Examples
-        --------
-        >>> from babelizer.metadata import BabelMetadata
-        >>> BabelMetadata.parse_entry_point("Foo=bar:Baz")
-        ('Foo', 'bar', 'Baz')
-
-        >>> BabelMetadata.parse_entry_point("bar:Baz")
-        Traceback (most recent call last):
-        ...
-        babelizer.errors.ValidationError: bad entry point specifier (bar:Baz). specifier must be of the form name=module:class
-        """
-        try:
-            name, value = (item.strip() for item in specifier.split("="))
-            module, obj = (item.strip() for item in value.split(":"))
-        except ValueError:
-            raise ValidationError(
-                f"bad entry point specifier ({specifier}). specifier must be of the form name=module:class"
-            ) from None
-
-        return name, module, obj
-
-    def as_cookiecutter_context(self) -> dict[str, Any]:
-        """Format metadata in cookiecutter context.
-
-        Returns
-        -------
-        dict
-            Metadata in cookiecutter context.
-        """
-        languages = [lib["language"] for lib in self._meta["library"].values()]
-        language = languages[0]
-        platforms = [_norm_os(name) for name in self._meta["ci"]["os"]]
-
-        return {
-            "components": self._meta["library"],
-            "build": {
-                "undef_macros": self._meta["build"]["undef_macros"],
-                "define_macros": self._meta["build"]["define_macros"],
-                "libraries": self._meta["build"]["libraries"],
-                "library_dirs": self._meta["build"]["library_dirs"],
-                "include_dirs": self._meta["build"]["include_dirs"],
-                "extra_compile_args": self._meta["build"]["extra_compile_args"],
-            },
-            "info": {
-                "full_name": self._meta["info"]["package_author"],
-                "email": self._meta["info"]["package_author_email"],
-                "github_username": self._meta["info"]["github_username"],
-                "project_short_description": self._meta["info"]["summary"],
-            },
-            "ci": {
-                "os": platforms,
-                "python_version": self._meta["ci"]["python_version"],
-            },
-            "package_name": self._meta["package"]["name"],
-            "package_requirements": ",".join(self._meta["package"]["requirements"]),
-            "language": language,
-            "open_source_license": self._meta["info"]["package_license"],
-        }
diff --git a/babelizer/data/cookiecutter.json b/babelizer/data/cookiecutter.json
deleted file mode 100644
index f64b3dc1..00000000
--- a/babelizer/data/cookiecutter.json
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,27 +0,0 @@
-{
-  "components": {},
-  "build": {
-    "undef_macros": [],
-    "define_macros": [],
-    "libraries": [],
-    "library_dirs": [],
-    "include_dirs": [],
-    "extra_compile_args": []
-  },
-  "info": {
-    "full_name": "CSDMS",
-    "email": "csdms@colorado.edu",
-    "github_username": "csdms",
-    "project_short_description": "PyMT plugin for {{cookiecutter.package_name}}"
-  },
-  "ci": {
-    "os": ["ubuntu", "macos", "windows"],
-    "python_version": ["3.10", "3.11", "3.12"]
-  },
-  "package_name": "package",
-  "package_requirements": "",
-  "package_version": "0.1",
-  "language": ["c", "c++", "fortran", "python"],
-  "open_source_license": ["MIT License", "BSD License", "ISC License", "Apache Software License 2.0", "GNU General Public License v3", "Not open source"],
-  "files": {}
-}
diff --git a/babelizer/data/hooks/post_gen_project.py b/babelizer/data/hooks/post_gen_project.py
deleted file mode 100644
index 0be9b268..00000000
--- a/babelizer/data/hooks/post_gen_project.py
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,147 +0,0 @@
-#! /usr/bin/env python
-import errno
-import os
-import re
-from collections import defaultdict
-from pathlib import Path
-
-from logoizer import logoize
-
-
-PROJECT_DIRECTORY = Path.cwd().resolve()
-LIB_DIRECTORY = Path("{{ cookiecutter.package_name }}", "lib")
-
-
-def remove_file(filepath):
-    (PROJECT_DIRECTORY / filepath).unlink(filepath)
-
-
-def remove_folder(folderpath):
-    shutil.rmtree(PROJECT_DIRECTORY / folderpath)
-
-
-def make_folder(folderpath):
-    try:
-        (PROJECT_DIRECTORY / folderpath).mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
-    except OSError:
-        pass
-
-
-def clean_folder(folderpath, keep=None):
-    if keep:
-        keep = set([str((folderpath / path).resolve()) for path in keep])
-    else:
-        keep = set()
-
-    folderpath = PROJECT_DIRECTORY / folderpath
-    for fname in folderpath.glob("*"):
-        if not fname.is_dir() and str(fname.resolve()) not in keep:
-            fname.unlink()
-
-    try:
-        folderpath.rmdir()
-    except OSError as err:
-        if err.errno != errno.ENOTEMPTY:
-            raise
-
-
-def split_file(filepath, include_preamble=False):
-    filepath = Path(filepath)
-    SPLIT_START_REGEX = re.compile(r"\s*#\s*start:\s*(?P<fname>\S+)\s*")
-
-    files = defaultdict(list)
-    fname = "preamble"
-    with open(filepath, "r") as fp:
-        for line in fp:
-            m = SPLIT_START_REGEX.match(line)
-            if m:
-                fname = m["fname"]
-            files[fname].append(line)
-
-    preamble = files.pop("preamble")
-    folderpath = filepath.parent
-    for name, contents in files.items():
-        with open(folderpath / name, "w") as fp:
-            if include_preamble:
-                fp.write("".join(preamble))
-            print("".join(contents).strip(), file=fp)
-            # fp.write("".join(contents).strip())
-
-    return set(files)
-
-
-def write_api_yaml(folderpath, **kwds):
-    make_folder(folderpath)
-
-    api_yaml = PROJECT_DIRECTORY / folderpath / "api.yaml"
-    contents = """\
-name: {package_name}
-language: {language}
-package: {package_name}
-class: {plugin_class}
-""".format(**kwds)
-    with open(api_yaml, "w") as fp:
-        fp.write(contents)
-
-    return api_yaml
-
-
-def remove_trailing_whitespace(path):
-    with open(path) as fp:
-        lines = [line.rstrip() for line in fp]
-    with open(path, "w") as fp:
-        print(os.linesep.join(lines), file=fp)
-
-
-if __name__ == "__main__":
-    keep = set()
-
-    static_dir = PROJECT_DIRECTORY / "docs" / "_static"
-    make_folder(static_dir)
-
-    logoize("{{ cookiecutter.package_name }}", static_dir / "logo-light.svg", light=True)
-    logoize("{{ cookiecutter.package_name }}", static_dir / "logo-dark.svg", light=False)
-
-    remove_trailing_whitespace(static_dir / "logo-dark.svg")
-    remove_trailing_whitespace(static_dir / "logo-light.svg")
-
-    {%- if cookiecutter.language == 'c' %}
-
-    keep |= set(["__init__.py", "bmi.c", "bmi.h"])
-    keep |= split_file(LIB_DIRECTORY / "_c.pyx", include_preamble=True)
-
-    {%- elif cookiecutter.language == 'c++' %}
-
-    keep |= set(["__init__.py", "bmi.hxx"])
-    keep |= split_file(LIB_DIRECTORY / "_cxx.pyx", include_preamble=True)
-
-    {%- elif cookiecutter.language == 'fortran' %}
-
-    keep |= set(["__init__.py", "bmi.f90", "bmi_interoperability.f90",
-                 "bmi_interoperability.h"])
-    keep |= split_file(LIB_DIRECTORY / "_fortran.pyx", include_preamble=True)
-
-    {%- endif %}
-
-    clean_folder(LIB_DIRECTORY, keep=keep)
-
-    if "Not open source" == "{{ cookiecutter.open_source_license }}":
-        remove_file("LICENSE")
-
-    {%- if cookiecutter.language == 'python' %}
-    remove_file("meson.build")
-    {%- endif %}
-
-    datadir = Path("meta")
-    package_datadir = Path("{{ cookiecutter.package_name }}") / "data"
-    if not package_datadir.exists():
-        package_datadir.symlink_to(".." / datadir, target_is_directory=True)
-
-{%- for babelized_class, component in cookiecutter.components|dictsort %}
-    write_api_yaml(
-        datadir / "{{ babelized_class }}",
-        language="{{ component.language }}",
-        plugin_class="{{ babelized_class }}",
-        package_name="{{ cookiecutter.package_name }}",
-    )
-{% endfor %}
diff --git a/babelizer/data/hooks/pre_gen_project.py b/babelizer/data/hooks/pre_gen_project.py
deleted file mode 100644
index e03b932d..00000000
--- a/babelizer/data/hooks/pre_gen_project.py
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,45 +0,0 @@
-import re
-import sys
-
-MODULE_REGEX = r"^[_a-zA-Z][_a-zA-Z0-9]+$"
-
-module_name = "{{ cookiecutter.package_name }}"
-
-
-if not re.match(MODULE_REGEX, module_name):
-    print(
-        "ERROR: The project slug (%s) is not a valid Python module name. Please do not use a - and use _ instead"
-        % module_name
-    )
-
-    # Exit to cancel project
-    sys.exit(1)
-
-
-def is_valid_entry_point(entry_point):
-    try:
-        babelized_class, plugin_entry_point = entry_point.split("=")
-    except ValueError:
-        return False
-    try:
-        plugin_module, plugin_class = plugin_entry_point.split(":")
-    except ValueError:
-        return False
-
-    if not re.match(MODULE_REGEX, babelized_class):
-        return False
-    for module_name in plugin_module.split("."):
-        if not re.match(MODULE_REGEX, module_name):
-            return False
-    if not re.match(MODULE_REGEX, plugin_class):
-        return False
-
-    return True
-
-
-{%- for babelized_class, component in cookiecutter.components|dictsort %}
-if not is_valid_entry_point(entry_point := "{{ babelized_class }}={{ component.library }}:{{ component.entry_point}}"):
-    print(f"ERROR: The entry point ({entry_point}) is not a valid Python entry point.")
-
-    sys.exit(2)
-{% endfor %}
diff --git a/babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/.github/workflows/lint.yml b/babelizer/data/templates/.github/workflows/lint.yml
similarity index 100%
rename from babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/.github/workflows/lint.yml
rename to babelizer/data/templates/.github/workflows/lint.yml
diff --git a/babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/.github/workflows/test.yml b/babelizer/data/templates/.github/workflows/test.yml
similarity index 79%
rename from babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/.github/workflows/test.yml
rename to babelizer/data/templates/.github/workflows/test.yml
index 35416232..469cd6c0 100644
--- a/babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/.github/workflows/test.yml
+++ b/babelizer/data/templates/.github/workflows/test.yml
@@ -19,8 +19,8 @@ jobs:
 
     strategy:
       matrix:
-        os: [{{ cookiecutter.ci.os | join(", ") }}]
-        python-version: [{{ cookiecutter.ci.python_version | join(", ") }}]
+        os: [{{ ci.os | join(", ") }}]
+        python-version: [{{ ci.python_version | join(", ") }}]
 
     steps:
       - uses: actions/checkout@v4
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ jobs:
 
       - name: Test
         run: |
-          python -c 'import {{ cookiecutter.package_name }}'
-          {%- for babelized_class in cookiecutter.components %}
-          bmi-test {{ cookiecutter.package_name }}.bmi:{{ babelized_class }} -vvv
+          python -c 'import {{ package.name }}'
+          {%- for babelized_class in components %}
+          bmi-test {{ package.name }}.bmi:{{ babelized_class }} -vvv
           {%- endfor %}
diff --git a/babelizer/data/templates/.gitignore b/babelizer/data/templates/.gitignore
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..2ef470b7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/babelizer/data/templates/.gitignore
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+{{ files['.gitignore'] }}
diff --git a/babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/.pre-commit-config.yaml b/babelizer/data/templates/.pre-commit-config.yaml
similarity index 97%
rename from babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/.pre-commit-config.yaml
rename to babelizer/data/templates/.pre-commit-config.yaml
index 519c7dea..372fa385 100644
--- a/babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/.pre-commit-config.yaml
+++ b/babelizer/data/templates/.pre-commit-config.yaml
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 repos:
 - repo: https://github.com/psf/black
-  rev: 24.2.0
+  rev: 24.3.0
   hooks:
   - id: black
     name: black
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ repos:
     - flake8-simplify
 
 - repo: https://github.com/asottile/pyupgrade
-  rev: v3.15.1
+  rev: v3.15.2
   hooks:
   - id: pyupgrade
     args: [--py310-plus]
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ repos:
     - id: trailing-whitespace
 
 - repo: https://github.com/pre-commit/mirrors-mypy
-  rev: v1.8.0
+  rev: v1.9.0
   hooks:
   - id: mypy
     additional_dependencies: [types-all]
diff --git a/babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/CHANGES.rst b/babelizer/data/templates/CHANGES.rst
similarity index 76%
rename from babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/CHANGES.rst
rename to babelizer/data/templates/CHANGES.rst
index e6e128b6..6d925e80 100644
--- a/babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/CHANGES.rst
+++ b/babelizer/data/templates/CHANGES.rst
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ Release Notes
 .. towncrier release notes start
 
 
-0.1.0 ({% now 'local', '%Y-%m-%d' %})
+0.1.0 ({{ now|datetimeformat('%Y-%m-%d') }})
 ------------------
 
 - Initial release
diff --git a/babelizer/data/templates/CREDITS.rst b/babelizer/data/templates/CREDITS.rst
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..26e2150b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/babelizer/data/templates/CREDITS.rst
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+Credits
+=======
+
+* {{ info.package_author }} <{{ info.package_author_email }}>
diff --git a/babelizer/data/templates/LICENSE.rst b/babelizer/data/templates/LICENSE.rst
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..79121ef7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/babelizer/data/templates/LICENSE.rst
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+{{ files['LICENSE.rst'] }}
diff --git a/babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/README.rst b/babelizer/data/templates/README.rst
similarity index 56%
rename from babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/README.rst
rename to babelizer/data/templates/README.rst
index 63353026..204291ff 100644
--- a/babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/README.rst
+++ b/babelizer/data/templates/README.rst
@@ -1,30 +1,26 @@
-{{ '=' * cookiecutter.package_name | length }}
-{{ cookiecutter.package_name }}
-{{ '=' * cookiecutter.package_name | length }}
+{{ '=' * package.name | length }}
+{{ package.name }}
+{{ '=' * package.name | length }}
 
-{% set is_open_source = cookiecutter.open_source_license != 'Not open source' -%}
-
-{% if is_open_source %}
 .. image:: https://img.shields.io/badge/CSDMS-Basic%20Model%20Interface-green.svg
         :target: https://bmi.readthedocs.io/
         :alt: Basic Model Interface
 
-.. image:: https://img.shields.io/badge/recipe-{{ cookiecutter.package_name }}-green.svg
-        :target: https://anaconda.org/conda-forge/{{ cookiecutter.package_name }}
+.. image:: https://img.shields.io/badge/recipe-{{ package.name }}-green.svg
+        :target: https://anaconda.org/conda-forge/{{ package.name }}
 
-.. image:: https://readthedocs.org/projects/{{ cookiecutter.package_name | replace("_", "-") }}/badge/?version=latest
-        :target: https://{{ cookiecutter.package_name | replace("_", "-") }}.readthedocs.io/en/latest/?badge=latest
+.. image:: https://readthedocs.org/projects/{{ package.name | replace("_", "-") }}/badge/?version=latest
+        :target: https://{{ package.name | replace("_", "-") }}.readthedocs.io/en/latest/?badge=latest
         :alt: Documentation Status
 
-.. image:: https://github.com/{{ cookiecutter.info.github_username }}/{{ cookiecutter.package_name }}/actions/workflows/test.yml/badge.svg
-        :target: https://github.com/{{ cookiecutter.info.github_username }}/{{ cookiecutter.package_name }}/actions/workflows/test.yml
+.. image:: https://github.com/{{ info.github_username }}/{{ package.name }}/actions/workflows/test.yml/badge.svg
+        :target: https://github.com/{{ info.github_username }}/{{ package.name }}/actions/workflows/test.yml
 
-.. image:: https://github.com/{{ cookiecutter.info.github_username }}/{{ cookiecutter.package_name }}/actions/workflows/flake8.yml/badge.svg
-        :target: https://github.com/{{ cookiecutter.info.github_username }}/{{ cookiecutter.package_name }}/actions/workflows/flake8.yml
+.. image:: https://github.com/{{ info.github_username }}/{{ package.name }}/actions/workflows/flake8.yml/badge.svg
+        :target: https://github.com/{{ info.github_username }}/{{ package.name }}/actions/workflows/flake8.yml
 
-.. image:: https://github.com/{{ cookiecutter.info.github_username }}/{{ cookiecutter.package_name }}/actions/workflows/black.yml/badge.svg
-        :target: https://github.com/{{ cookiecutter.info.github_username }}/{{ cookiecutter.package_name }}/actions/workflows/black.yml
-{%- endif %}
+.. image:: https://github.com/{{ info.github_username }}/{{ package.name }}/actions/workflows/black.yml/badge.svg
+        :target: https://github.com/{{ info.github_username }}/{{ package.name }}/actions/workflows/black.yml
 
 
 .. start-intro
@@ -42,9 +38,9 @@ Python and the Python Modeling Toolkit, PyMT.
   * - Library
     - Component
     - PyMT
-  {% for babelized_class, component in cookiecutter.components|dictsort -%}
+  {% for babelized_class, component in components|dictsort -%}
   * - {{ component.library }}
-    - :class:`~{{ cookiecutter.package_name }}.{{ babelized_class }}`
+    - :class:`~{{ package.name }}.{{ babelized_class }}`
     -
       .. code-block:: pycon
 
@@ -54,10 +50,8 @@ Python and the Python Modeling Toolkit, PyMT.
 .. end-intro
 
 
-{% if is_open_source %}
-* Free software: {{ cookiecutter.open_source_license }}
-* Documentation: https://{{ cookiecutter.package_name | replace("_", "-") }}.readthedocs.io.
-{% endif %}
+* Free software: {{ info.package_license }}
+* Documentation: https://{{ package.name | replace("_", "-") }}.readthedocs.io.
 
 
 Quickstart
@@ -65,22 +59,22 @@ Quickstart
 
 .. start-quickstart
 
-To get started you will need to install the *{{ cookiecutter.package_name }}* package.
+To get started you will need to install the *{{ package.name }}* package.
 Here are two ways to do so.
 
 Install from conda-forge
 ------------------------
 
-If the *{{ cookiecutter.package_name }}* package is distributed on *conda-forge*, install it into your current environment with *conda*.
+If the *{{ package.name }}* package is distributed on *conda-forge*, install it into your current environment with *conda*.
 
 .. code:: bash
 
-  conda install -c conda-forge {{ cookiecutter.package_name }}
+  conda install -c conda-forge {{ package.name }}
 
 Install from source
 -------------------
 
-You can build and install the *{{ cookiecutter.package_name }}* package from source using *conda* and *pip*.
+You can build and install the *{{ package.name }}* package from source using *conda* and *pip*.
 
 First, from the source directory, install package dependencies into your current environment with *conda*.
 
@@ -89,7 +83,7 @@ First, from the source directory, install package dependencies into your current
   conda install -c conda-forge --file requirements.txt --file requirements-build.txt --file requirements-library.txt
 
 Then install the package itself with *pip*.
-{%- if cookiecutter.language == 'python' %}
+{%- if language == 'python' %}
 
 .. code:: bash
 
@@ -115,16 +109,16 @@ There are two ways to use the components provided by this package: directly thro
 Model Interface (BMI), or as a PyMT plugin.
 
 A BMI is provided by each component in this package:
-{%- for babelized_class, component in cookiecutter.components|dictsort -%}
-:class:`~{{ cookiecutter.package_name}}.{{ babelized_class }}`
+{%- for babelized_class, component in components|dictsort -%}
+:class:`~{{ package.name}}.{{ babelized_class }}`
 {% endfor %}.
 
 
-{% for babelized_class, component in cookiecutter.components|dictsort -%}
+{% for babelized_class, component in components|dictsort -%}
 
 .. code-block:: pycon
 
-  >>> from {{ cookiecutter.package_name}} import {{ babelized_class }}
+  >>> from {{ package.name}} import {{ babelized_class }}
   >>> model = {{ babelized_class }}()
   >>> model.get_component_name()  # Get the name of the component
   >>> model.get_output_var_names()  # Get a list of the component's output variables
diff --git a/babelizer/data/templates/docs/api/.gitignore b/babelizer/data/templates/docs/api/.gitignore
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..1c3775f5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/babelizer/data/templates/docs/api/.gitignore
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+# auto-generated with sphinx-apidoc
+{{ package.name }}*.rst
diff --git a/babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/docs/authors.rst b/babelizer/data/templates/docs/authors.rst
similarity index 100%
rename from babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/docs/authors.rst
rename to babelizer/data/templates/docs/authors.rst
diff --git a/babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/docs/babel.rst b/babelizer/data/templates/docs/babel.rst
similarity index 100%
rename from babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/docs/babel.rst
rename to babelizer/data/templates/docs/babel.rst
diff --git a/babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/docs/changelog.rst b/babelizer/data/templates/docs/changelog.rst
similarity index 100%
rename from babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/docs/changelog.rst
rename to babelizer/data/templates/docs/changelog.rst
diff --git a/babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/docs/conf.py b/babelizer/data/templates/docs/conf.py.jinja
similarity index 88%
rename from babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/docs/conf.py
rename to babelizer/data/templates/docs/conf.py.jinja
index 57c39b28..e1512332 100644
--- a/babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/docs/conf.py
+++ b/babelizer/data/templates/docs/conf.py.jinja
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-# {{ cookiecutter.package_name }} documentation build configuration file, created by
+# {{ package.name }} documentation build configuration file, created by
 # sphinx-quickstart on Fri Jun  9 13:47:02 2017.
 #
 # This file is execfile()d with the current directory set to its
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@
 import os
 import pathlib
 
-import {{ cookiecutter.package_name }}
+import {{ package.name }}
 
 docs_dir = os.path.dirname(__file__)
 
@@ -58,18 +58,18 @@
 master_doc = "index"
 
 # General information about the project.
-project = "{{ cookiecutter.package_name }}"
-copyright = "{% now 'local', '%Y' %}, {{ cookiecutter.info.full_name }}"
-author = "{{ cookiecutter.info.full_name }}"
+project = "{{ package.name }}"
+copyright = "{{ now|datetimeformat('%Y') }}, {{ info.package_author }}"
+author = "{{ info.package_author }}"
 
 # The version info for the project you're documenting, acts as replacement
 # for |version| and |release|, also used in various other places throughout
 # the built documents.
 #
 # The short X.Y version.
-version = {{ cookiecutter.package_name }}.__version__
+version = {{ package.name }}.__version__
 # The full version, including alpha/beta/rc tags.
-release = {{ cookiecutter.package_name }}.__version__
+release = {{ package.name }}.__version__
 
 # The language for content autogenerated by Sphinx. Refer to documentation
 # for a list of supported languages.
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@
 # a list of builtin themes.
 #
 html_theme = "furo"
-html_title = "{{ cookiecutter.package_name }}"
+html_title = "{{ package.name }}"
 
 
 # Theme options are theme-specific and customize the look and feel of a
@@ -105,7 +105,7 @@
 #
 html_theme_options = {
     "announcement": None,
-    "source_repository": "https://github.com/{{ cookiecutter.info.github_username }}/{{ cookiecutter.package_name }}/",
+    "source_repository": "https://github.com/{{ info.github_username }}/{{ package.name }}/",
     "source_branch": "main",
     "source_directory": "docs",
     "sidebar_hide_name": False,
@@ -132,7 +132,7 @@
 # -- Options for HTMLHelp output ---------------------------------------
 
 # Output file base name for HTML help builder.
-htmlhelp_basename = "{{ cookiecutter.package_name }}doc"
+htmlhelp_basename = "{{ package.name }}doc"
 
 # -- Options for intersphinx extension ---------------------------------------
 
diff --git a/babelizer/data/templates/docs/developer_install.rst b/babelizer/data/templates/docs/developer_install.rst
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..200b2840
--- /dev/null
+++ b/babelizer/data/templates/docs/developer_install.rst
@@ -0,0 +1,58 @@
+.. _developer_install:
+
+=================
+Developer Install
+=================
+
+.. important::
+
+  The following commands will install *{{ package.name }}* into your current environment. Although
+  not necessary, we **highly recommend** you install *{{ package.name }}* into its own
+  :ref:`virtual environment <virtual_environments>`.
+
+If you will be modifying code or contributing new code to *{{ package.name }}*, you will first
+need to get *{{ package.name }}*'s source code and then install *{{ package.name }}* from that code.
+
+Source Install
+--------------
+
+*{{ package.name }}* is actively being developed on GitHub, where the code is freely available.
+If you would like to modify or contribute code, you can either clone our
+repository
+
+.. code-block:: bash
+
+  git clone git://github.com/pymt-lab/{{ package.name }}.git
+
+or download the `tarball <https://github.com/{{ info.github_username }}/{{ package.name }}/tarball/master>`_
+(a zip file is available for Windows users):
+
+.. code-block:: bash
+
+  curl -OL https://github.com/{{ info.github_username }}/{{ package.name }}/tarball/master
+
+Once you have a copy of the source code, you can install it into your current
+Python environment,
+
+.. tab:: mamba
+
+  .. code-block:: bash
+
+    cd {{ package.name }}
+    mamba install --file=requirements.txt
+    pip install -e .
+
+.. tab:: conda
+
+  .. code-block:: bash
+
+    cd {{ package.name }}
+    conda install --file=requirements.txt
+    pip install -e .
+
+.. tab:: pip
+
+  .. code-block:: bash
+
+    cd {{ package.name }}
+    pip install -e .
diff --git a/babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/docs/environments.rst b/babelizer/data/templates/docs/environments.rst
similarity index 85%
rename from babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/docs/environments.rst
rename to babelizer/data/templates/docs/environments.rst
index 7b1f4c09..e94c3c3f 100644
--- a/babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/docs/environments.rst
+++ b/babelizer/data/templates/docs/environments.rst
@@ -18,15 +18,15 @@ should stick with *pip*.
     .. code-block:: bash
 
         conda install mamba -c conda-forge
-        mamba create -n {{ cookiecutter.package_name }}
-        mamba activate {{ cookiecutter.package_name }}
+        mamba create -n {{ package.name }}
+        mamba activate {{ package.name }}
 
 .. tab:: conda
 
     .. code-block:: bash
 
-        conda create -n {{ cookiecutter.package_name }}
-        conda activate {{ cookiecutter.package_name }}
+        conda create -n {{ package.name }}
+        conda activate {{ package.name }}
 
 .. tab:: venv
 
diff --git a/babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/docs/index.rst b/babelizer/data/templates/docs/index.rst
similarity index 66%
rename from babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/docs/index.rst
rename to babelizer/data/templates/docs/index.rst
index b3c2c429..6ea496b2 100644
--- a/babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/docs/index.rst
+++ b/babelizer/data/templates/docs/index.rst
@@ -1,15 +1,15 @@
 .. image:: _static/logo-light.svg
    :align: center
    :scale: 15%
-   :alt: {{ cookiecutter.package_name }}
-   :target: https://{{ cookiecutter.package_name }}.readthedocs.org/
+   :alt: {{ package.name }}
+   :target: https://{{ package.name }}.readthedocs.org/
    :class: only-light
 
 .. image:: _static/logo-dark.svg
    :align: center
    :scale: 15%
-   :alt: {{ cookiecutter.package_name }}
-   :target: https://{{ cookiecutter.package_name }}.readthedocs.org/
+   :alt: {{ package.name }}
+   :target: https://{{ package.name }}.readthedocs.org/
    :class: only-dark
 
 .. include:: ../README.rst
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@
 
    quickstart
    usage
-   API <api/{{ cookiecutter.package_name }}>
+   API <api/{{ package.name }}>
    babel
 ..   contributing
 
diff --git a/babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/docs/license.rst b/babelizer/data/templates/docs/license.rst
similarity index 100%
rename from babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/docs/license.rst
rename to babelizer/data/templates/docs/license.rst
diff --git a/babelizer/data/templates/docs/quickstart.rst b/babelizer/data/templates/docs/quickstart.rst
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..aa878fcf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/babelizer/data/templates/docs/quickstart.rst
@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+Quickstart
+==========
+
+.. note::
+
+    The following commands will install *{{ package.name}}* into your current
+    environment. Although not necessary, we **highly recommend** you install
+    *{{ package.name}}* into its own
+    :ref:`virtual environment <virtual_environments>`.
+
+.. include:: ../README.rst
+    :start-after: .. start-quickstart
+    :end-before: .. end-quickstart
+
+If you would like the very latest development version of *{{ package.name}}*
+or want to modify or contribute code to the *{{ package.name}}* project,
+you will need to do a :ref:`developer installation <developer_install>` of
+*{{ package.name }}* from source.
diff --git a/babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/docs/updating.rst b/babelizer/data/templates/docs/updating.rst
similarity index 100%
rename from babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/docs/updating.rst
rename to babelizer/data/templates/docs/updating.rst
diff --git a/babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/docs/usage.rst b/babelizer/data/templates/docs/usage.rst
similarity index 100%
rename from babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/docs/usage.rst
rename to babelizer/data/templates/docs/usage.rst
diff --git a/babelizer/data/templates/meson.build b/babelizer/data/templates/meson.build
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..8275e9ce
--- /dev/null
+++ b/babelizer/data/templates/meson.build
@@ -0,0 +1,99 @@
+project(
+    '{{ package.name }}',
+{%- if language == 'c' %}
+    'c',
+{%- elif language == 'c++' %}
+    'cpp',
+{%- elif language == 'fortran' %}
+    'fortran',
+{%- endif %}
+    'cython',
+    version: '{{ package_version }}',
+)
+
+py = import('python').find_installation(pure: false)
+
+{%- if language == 'c' %}
+compiler = meson.get_compiler('c')
+{%- elif language == 'c++' %}
+compiler = meson.get_compiler('cpp')
+{%- elif language == 'fortran' %}
+compiler = meson.get_compiler('fortran')
+{%- endif %}
+
+# python_inc = py.get_path('data') / 'include'
+numpy_inc = run_command(
+    py,
+    [
+        '-c',
+        'import numpy; print(numpy.get_include())'
+    ],
+    check: true
+).stdout().strip()
+incs = include_directories(
+    [
+        '{{ package.name }}/lib',
+        # python_inc,
+        numpy_inc,
+    ]
+)
+
+{% set dependency_list = package.requirements -%}
+deps = [
+{%- for dependency in dependency_list if dependency != '' %}
+    compiler.find_library('{{ dependency }}'),
+{%- endfor %}
+]
+
+# Files get copied to <python directory>/site-packages/<subdir>
+install_pkg_srcs = [
+    '{{ package.name }}/__init__.py',
+    '{{ package.name }}/_bmi.py',
+    '{{ package.name }}/_version.py',
+]
+py.install_sources(
+    install_pkg_srcs,
+    subdir: '{{ package.name }}',
+)
+
+install_lib_srcs = [
+    '{{ package.name }}/lib/__init__.py',
+{%- for babelized_class in components|list|sort %}
+    '{{ package.name }}/lib/{{ babelized_class|lower }}.pyx',
+{%- endfor %}
+]
+py.install_sources(
+    install_lib_srcs,
+    subdir: '{{ package.name }}/lib',
+)
+
+
+{%- for babelized_class, component in components|dictsort %}
+py.extension_module(
+    '{{ babelized_class|lower }}',
+    [
+{%- if language == 'fortran' %}
+        '{{ package.name }}/lib/bmi_interoperability.f90',
+{%- endif %}
+        '{{ package.name }}/lib/{{ babelized_class|lower }}.pyx',
+    ],
+    dependencies: [
+        dependency('{{ component.library }}', method : 'pkg-config'),
+    ],
+    include_directories: incs,
+    install: true,
+    subdir: '{{ package.name }}/lib',
+{%- if language == 'c++' %}
+    override_options : ['cython_language=cpp'],
+{%- endif %}
+)
+
+install_subdir(
+    'meta/{{ babelized_class }}',
+    install_dir: py.get_install_dir() / '{{ package.name }}/data',
+)
+
+{%- endfor %}
+
+# This is a temporary fix for editable installs.
+run_command('cp', '-r', '{{ package.name }}/data', 'build')
diff --git a/babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/noxfile.py b/babelizer/data/templates/noxfile.py.jinja
similarity index 93%
rename from babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/noxfile.py
rename to babelizer/data/templates/noxfile.py.jinja
index 756f3c99..ce09dd6d 100644
--- a/babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/noxfile.py
+++ b/babelizer/data/templates/noxfile.py.jinja
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 
 import nox
 
-PROJECT = "{{ cookiecutter.package_name }}"
+PROJECT = "{{ package.name }}"
 ROOT = pathlib.Path(__file__).parent
 PYTHON_VERSIONS = ["3.9", "3.10", "3.11"]
 
@@ -19,10 +19,10 @@ def test(session: nox.Session) -> None:
 
     session.install(".[testing]")
 
-{%- for babelized_class, _ in cookiecutter.components|dictsort %}
+{%- for babelized_class, _ in components|dictsort %}
     session.run(
         "bmi-test",
-        "{{ cookiecutter.package_name }}.bmi:{{ babelized_class }}",
+        "{{ package.name }}.bmi:{{ babelized_class }}",
         "-vvv",
     )
 {%- endfor %}
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ def build_docs(session: nox.Session) -> None:
             "--module-first",
             "-o",
             "docs/api",
-            "{{ cookiecutter.package_name }}",
+            "{{ package.name }}",
         )
         session.run(
             "sphinx-build",
@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@ def live_docs(session: nox.Session) -> None:
         "docs/_templates",
         "-o",
         "docs/api",
-        "{{ cookiecutter.package_name }}",
+        "{{ package.name }}",
     )
     session.run(
         "sphinx-autobuild",
@@ -188,5 +188,5 @@ def clean_docs(session: nox.Session) -> None:
             shutil.rmtree("html")
 
     with session.chdir(ROOT / "docs"):
-        for p in pathlib.Path("api").rglob("{{ cookiecutter.package_name }}*.rst"):
+        for p in pathlib.Path("api").rglob("{{ package.name }}*.rst"):
             p.unlink()
diff --git a/babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/pyproject.toml b/babelizer/data/templates/pyproject.toml
similarity index 60%
rename from babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/pyproject.toml
rename to babelizer/data/templates/pyproject.toml
index 7df13701..8dfedece 100644
--- a/babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/pyproject.toml
+++ b/babelizer/data/templates/pyproject.toml
@@ -1,28 +1,28 @@
 [build-system]
-{%- if cookiecutter.language == 'python' %}
+{%- if language == 'python' %}
 build-backend = "setuptools.build_meta"
 requires = [
     "setuptools >=61",
 ]
-{% else %}
+{%- else %}
 build-backend = "mesonpy"
 requires = ["cython", "numpy", "meson-python", "wheel"]
-{% endif %}
+{%- endif %}
 
 [project]
-name = "{{cookiecutter.package_name}}"
+name = "{{package.name}}"
 authors = [
-  {name = "{{cookiecutter.info.full_name}}", email = "{{cookiecutter.info.email}}"},
+  {name = "{{info.package_author}}", email = "{{info.package_author_email}}"},
 ]
 maintainers = [
-  {name = "{{cookiecutter.info.full_name}}", email = "{{cookiecutter.info.email}}"},
+  {name = "{{info.package_author}}", email = "{{info.package_author_email}}"},
 ]
-description = "PyMT plugin for {{cookiecutter.package_name}}"
+description = "PyMT plugin for {{package.name}}"
 license = {text = "MIT License"}
 classifiers=[
     "Development Status :: 4 - Beta",
     "Intended Audience :: Science/Research",
-    "License :: OSI Approved :: {{ cookiecutter.open_source_license }}",
+    "License :: OSI Approved :: {{ info.package_license }}",
     "Operating System :: MacOS :: MacOS X",
     "Operating System :: POSIX :: Linux",
     "Programming Language :: Python :: 3 :: Only",
@@ -38,11 +38,11 @@ dependencies = [
 ]
 
 [project.urls]
-homepage = "https://github.com/{{ cookiecutter.info.github_username }}/{{ cookiecutter.package_name }}"
+homepage = "https://github.com/{{ info.github_username }}/{{ package.name }}"
 
 [project.entry-points."pymt.plugins"]
-{%- for babelized_class, _ in cookiecutter.components|dictsort %}
-{{ babelized_class }} = "{{ cookiecutter.package_name }}.bmi:{{ babelized_class }}"
+{%- for babelized_class, _ in components|dictsort %}
+{{ babelized_class }} = "{{ package.name }}.bmi:{{ babelized_class }}"
 {%- endfor %}
 
 [project.optional-dependencies]
@@ -65,15 +65,24 @@ testing = [
   "bmi-tester>=0.5.4",
 ]
 
-{%- if cookiecutter.language == 'python' %}
+{%- if language == 'python' %}
+
+[tool.setuptools.dynamic.version]
+attr = "{{package.name}}._version.__version__"
+
+[tool.setuptools.package-data]
+{{package.name}} = [
+    "data/**/*",
+]
+
 [tool.setuptools.packages.find]
 where = ["."]
-include = ["{{cookiecutter.package_name}}*"]
-{% endif %}
+include = ["{{package.name}}*"]
+{%- endif %}
 
 [tool.pytest.ini_options]
 minversion = "5.0"
-testpaths = ["{{ cookiecutter.package_name }}", "tests"]
+testpaths = ["{{ package.name }}", "tests"]
 norecursedirs = [".*", "*.egg*", "build", "dist"]
 addopts = """
     --ignore setup.py
@@ -98,20 +107,20 @@ line_length = 88
 
 [tool.check-manifest]
 ignore = [
-  "{{ cookiecutter.package_name }}/data",
-  "{{ cookiecutter.package_name }}/data/**/*",
+  "{{ package.name }}/data",
+  "{{ package.name }}/data/**/*",
 ]
 
 [tool.towncrier]
 directory = "news"
-package = "{{ cookiecutter.package_name }}"
+package = "{{ package.name }}"
 filename = "CHANGES.rst"
 single_file = true
 underlines = "-^\""
-issue_format = "`#{issue} <https://github.com/{{ cookiecutter.info.github_username }}/{{ cookiecutter.package_name }}/issues/{issue}>`_"
+issue_format = "`#{issue} <https://github.com/{{ info.github_username }}/{{ package.name }}/issues/{issue}>`_"
 title_format = "{version} ({project_date})"
 wrap = true
 
 [tool.zest-releaser]
 tag-format = "v{version}"
-python-file-with-version = "{{ cookiecutter.package_name }}/_version.py"
+python-file-with-version = "{{ package.name }}/_version.py"
diff --git a/babelizer/data/templates/requirements-build.txt b/babelizer/data/templates/requirements-build.txt
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..c5683652
--- /dev/null
+++ b/babelizer/data/templates/requirements-build.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+# conda requirements needed to build the project
+{% if language == 'c' -%}
+bmi-c
+c-compiler
+{%- elif language == 'c++' -%}
+bmi-cxx
+cxx-compiler
+{%- elif language == 'fortran' -%}
+bmi-fortran
+fortran-compiler
+{%- endif %}
diff --git a/babelizer/data/templates/requirements-library.txt b/babelizer/data/templates/requirements-library.txt
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..dd03ffab
--- /dev/null
+++ b/babelizer/data/templates/requirements-library.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+{%- for requirement in package.requirements -%}
+{{ requirement|trim }}
+{%- endfor %}
diff --git a/babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/requirements-testing.txt b/babelizer/data/templates/requirements-testing.txt
similarity index 100%
rename from babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/requirements-testing.txt
rename to babelizer/data/templates/requirements-testing.txt
diff --git a/babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/requirements.txt b/babelizer/data/templates/requirements.txt
similarity index 100%
rename from babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/requirements.txt
rename to babelizer/data/templates/requirements.txt
diff --git a/babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/setup.cfg b/babelizer/data/templates/setup.cfg
similarity index 100%
rename from babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/setup.cfg
rename to babelizer/data/templates/setup.cfg
diff --git a/babelizer/data/templates/{{package.name}}/__init__.py.jinja b/babelizer/data/templates/{{package.name}}/__init__.py.jinja
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..87338d61
--- /dev/null
+++ b/babelizer/data/templates/{{package.name}}/__init__.py.jinja
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+{{ files['__init__.py'] }}
diff --git a/babelizer/data/templates/{{package.name}}/_bmi.py.jinja b/babelizer/data/templates/{{package.name}}/_bmi.py.jinja
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..6055b3d9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/babelizer/data/templates/{{package.name}}/_bmi.py.jinja
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+{{ files['_bmi.py'] }}
diff --git a/babelizer/data/templates/{{package.name}}/_version.py.jinja b/babelizer/data/templates/{{package.name}}/_version.py.jinja
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..43998175
--- /dev/null
+++ b/babelizer/data/templates/{{package.name}}/_version.py.jinja
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+__version__ = "{{ package_version }}"
diff --git a/babelizer/data/templates/{{package.name}}/lib/__init__.py.jinja b/babelizer/data/templates/{{package.name}}/lib/__init__.py.jinja
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..637cf898
--- /dev/null
+++ b/babelizer/data/templates/{{package.name}}/lib/__init__.py.jinja
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+{{ files['lib/__init__.py'] }}
diff --git a/babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/lib/_c.pyx b/babelizer/data/templates/{{package.name}}/lib/_c.pyx
similarity index 99%
rename from babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/lib/_c.pyx
rename to babelizer/data/templates/{{package.name}}/lib/_c.pyx
index 6c9216c9..57ce1d7f 100644
--- a/babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/lib/_c.pyx
+++ b/babelizer/data/templates/{{package.name}}/lib/_c.pyx
@@ -90,7 +90,7 @@ def ok_or_raise(status):
     if status != 0:
         raise RuntimeError('error code {status}'.format(status=status))
 
-{%- for babelized_class, component in cookiecutter.components|dictsort %}
+{%- for babelized_class, component in components|dictsort %}
 
 # start: {{ babelized_class|lower }}.pyx
 
diff --git a/babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/lib/_cxx.pyx b/babelizer/data/templates/{{package.name}}/lib/_cxx.pyx
similarity index 98%
rename from babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/lib/_cxx.pyx
rename to babelizer/data/templates/{{package.name}}/lib/_cxx.pyx
index 01c4bdf6..56d83df5 100644
--- a/babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/lib/_cxx.pyx
+++ b/babelizer/data/templates/{{package.name}}/lib/_cxx.pyx
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ from libcpp.string cimport string
 from libcpp.vector cimport vector
 
 import numpy as np
-{%- for babelized_class, component in cookiecutter.components|dictsort %}
+{%- for babelized_class, component in components|dictsort %}
 
 # start: {{ babelized_class|lower }}.pyx
 
diff --git a/babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/lib/_fortran.pyx b/babelizer/data/templates/{{package.name}}/lib/_fortran.pyx
similarity index 99%
rename from babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/lib/_fortran.pyx
rename to babelizer/data/templates/{{package.name}}/lib/_fortran.pyx
index 47726f2b..674749c6 100644
--- a/babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/lib/_fortran.pyx
+++ b/babelizer/data/templates/{{package.name}}/lib/_fortran.pyx
@@ -123,7 +123,7 @@ cpdef to_string(bytes):
     except AttributeError:
         return bytes
 
-{%- for babelized_class in cookiecutter.components %}
+{%- for babelized_class in components %}
 
 # start: {{ babelized_class|lower }}.pyx
 
diff --git a/babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/lib/bmi_interoperability.f90 b/babelizer/data/templates/{{package.name}}/lib/bmi_interoperability.f90
similarity index 99%
rename from babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/lib/bmi_interoperability.f90
rename to babelizer/data/templates/{{package.name}}/lib/bmi_interoperability.f90
index 91ba3049..6995dcc2 100644
--- a/babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/lib/bmi_interoperability.f90
+++ b/babelizer/data/templates/{{package.name}}/lib/bmi_interoperability.f90
@@ -3,13 +3,13 @@
 !
 module bmi_interoperability
 
-{%- for _, component in cookiecutter.components|dictsort %}
+{%- for _, component in components|dictsort %}
 
   use, intrinsic :: iso_c_binding
   use bmif_2_0
 
-{%- if cookiecutter.build.libraries %}
-{%- for lib in cookiecutter.build.libraries %}
+{%- if build.libraries %}
+{%- for lib in build.libraries %}
   use {{ lib }}
 {%- endfor %}
 {%- endif %}
diff --git a/babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/lib/bmi_interoperability.h b/babelizer/data/templates/{{package.name}}/lib/bmi_interoperability.h
similarity index 100%
rename from babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/lib/bmi_interoperability.h
rename to babelizer/data/templates/{{package.name}}/lib/bmi_interoperability.h
diff --git a/babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/.gitignore b/babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/.gitignore
deleted file mode 100644
index 0d0df21e..00000000
--- a/babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/.gitignore
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-{{cookiecutter.files['.gitignore']}}
diff --git a/babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/CREDITS.rst b/babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/CREDITS.rst
deleted file mode 100644
index c8314f99..00000000
--- a/babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/CREDITS.rst
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,4 +0,0 @@
-Credits
-=======
-
-* {{ cookiecutter.info.full_name }} <{{ cookiecutter.info.email }}>
diff --git a/babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/LICENSE.rst b/babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/LICENSE.rst
deleted file mode 100644
index 10583352..00000000
--- a/babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/LICENSE.rst
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-{{cookiecutter.files['LICENSE.rst']}}
diff --git a/babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/MANIFEST.in b/babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/MANIFEST.in
deleted file mode 100644
index fb1c8abe..00000000
--- a/babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/MANIFEST.in
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,15 +0,0 @@
-recursive-include {{ cookiecutter.package_name }}/data *
-include LICENSE
-include requirements.txt
-include *.rst
-include *.txt
-include Makefile
-include babel.toml
-recursive-include {{ cookiecutter.package_name }} *.pyx
-recursive-include docs *.py
-recursive-include docs *.rst
-recursive-include docs Makefile
-recursive-exclude meta *
-recursive-exclude recipe *
-recursive-exclude {{ cookiecutter.package_name }} *.cpp
-recursive-exclude {{ cookiecutter.package_name }} *.c
diff --git a/babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/docs/Makefile b/babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/docs/Makefile
deleted file mode 100644
index ed1a43da..00000000
--- a/babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/docs/Makefile
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,20 +0,0 @@
-# Minimal makefile for Sphinx documentation
-#
-
-# You can set these variables from the command line.
-SPHINXOPTS    =
-SPHINXBUILD   = python -msphinx
-SPHINXPROJ    = {{ cookiecutter.package_name }}
-SOURCEDIR     = .
-BUILDDIR      = _build
-
-# Put it first so that "make" without argument is like "make help".
-help:
-	@$(SPHINXBUILD) -M help "$(SOURCEDIR)" "$(BUILDDIR)" $(SPHINXOPTS) $(O)
-
-.PHONY: help Makefile
-
-# Catch-all target: route all unknown targets to Sphinx using the new
-# "make mode" option.  $(O) is meant as a shortcut for $(SPHINXOPTS).
-%: Makefile
-	@$(SPHINXBUILD) -M $@ "$(SOURCEDIR)" "$(BUILDDIR)" $(SPHINXOPTS) $(O)
diff --git a/babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/docs/api/.gitignore b/babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/docs/api/.gitignore
deleted file mode 100644
index 49355355..00000000
--- a/babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/docs/api/.gitignore
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,2 +0,0 @@
-# auto-generated with sphinx-apidoc
-{{ cookiecutter.package_name }}*.rst
diff --git a/babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/docs/developer_install.rst b/babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/docs/developer_install.rst
deleted file mode 100644
index a6dcc70a..00000000
--- a/babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/docs/developer_install.rst
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,58 +0,0 @@
-.. _developer_install:
-
-=================
-Developer Install
-=================
-
-.. important::
-
-  The following commands will install *{{ cookiecutter.package_name }}* into your current environment. Although
-  not necessary, we **highly recommend** you install *{{ cookiecutter.package_name }}* into its own
-  :ref:`virtual environment <virtual_environments>`.
-
-If you will be modifying code or contributing new code to *{{ cookiecutter.package_name }}*, you will first
-need to get *{{ cookiecutter.package_name }}*'s source code and then install *{{ cookiecutter.package_name }}* from that code.
-
-Source Install
---------------
-
-*{{ cookiecutter.package_name }}* is actively being developed on GitHub, where the code is freely available.
-If you would like to modify or contribute code, you can either clone our
-repository
-
-.. code-block:: bash
-
-  git clone git://github.com/pymt-lab/{{ cookiecutter.package_name }}.git
-
-or download the `tarball <https://github.com/{{ cookiecutter.info.github_username }}/{{ cookiecutter.package_name }}/tarball/master>`_
-(a zip file is available for Windows users):
-
-.. code-block:: bash
-
-  curl -OL https://github.com/{{ cookiecutter.info.github_username }}/{{ cookiecutter.package_name }}/tarball/master
-
-Once you have a copy of the source code, you can install it into your current
-Python environment,
-
-.. tab:: mamba
-
-  .. code-block:: bash
-
-    cd {{ cookiecutter.package_name }}
-    mamba install --file=requirements.txt
-    pip install -e .
-
-.. tab:: conda
-
-  .. code-block:: bash
-
-    cd {{ cookiecutter.package_name }}
-    conda install --file=requirements.txt
-    pip install -e .
-
-.. tab:: pip
-
-  .. code-block:: bash
-
-    cd {{ cookiecutter.package_name }}
-    pip install -e .
diff --git a/babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/docs/quickstart.rst b/babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/docs/quickstart.rst
deleted file mode 100644
index 8753666e..00000000
--- a/babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/docs/quickstart.rst
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,18 +0,0 @@
-Quickstart
-==========
-
-.. note::
-
-    The following commands will install *{{ cookiecutter.package_name}}* into your current
-    environment. Although not necessary, we **highly recommend** you install
-    *{{ cookiecutter.package_name}}* into its own
-    :ref:`virtual environment <virtual_environments>`.
-
-.. include:: ../README.rst
-    :start-after: .. start-quickstart
-    :end-before: .. end-quickstart
-
-If you would like the very latest development version of *{{ cookiecutter.package_name}}*
-or want to modify or contribute code to the *{{ cookiecutter.package_name}}* project,
-you will need to do a :ref:`developer installation <developer_install>` of
-*{{ cookiecutter.package_name }}* from source.
diff --git a/babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/meson.build b/babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/meson.build
deleted file mode 100644
index 6edc29d5..00000000
--- a/babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/meson.build
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,99 +0,0 @@
-project(
-    '{{ cookiecutter.package_name }}',
-{%- if cookiecutter.language == 'c' %}
-    'c',
-{%- elif cookiecutter.language == 'c++' %}
-    'cpp',
-{%- elif cookiecutter.language == 'fortran' %}
-    'fortran',
-{%- endif %}
-    'cython',
-    version: '{{ cookiecutter.package_version }}',
-)
-
-py = import('python').find_installation(pure: false)
-
-{%- if cookiecutter.language == 'c' %}
-compiler = meson.get_compiler('c')
-{%- elif cookiecutter.language == 'c++' %}
-compiler = meson.get_compiler('cpp')
-{%- elif cookiecutter.language == 'fortran' %}
-compiler = meson.get_compiler('fortran')
-{%- endif %}
-
-# python_inc = py.get_path('data') / 'include'
-numpy_inc = run_command(
-    py,
-    [
-        '-c',
-        'import numpy; print(numpy.get_include())'
-    ],
-    check: true
-).stdout().strip()
-incs = include_directories(
-    [
-        '{{ cookiecutter.package_name }}/lib',
-        # python_inc,
-        numpy_inc,
-    ]
-)
-
-{% set dependency_list = cookiecutter.package_requirements.split(',') -%}
-deps = [
-{%- for dependency in dependency_list if dependency != '' %}
-    compiler.find_library('{{ dependency }}'),
-{%- endfor %}
-]
-
-# Files get copied to <python directory>/site-packages/<subdir>
-install_pkg_srcs = [
-    '{{ cookiecutter.package_name }}/__init__.py',
-    '{{ cookiecutter.package_name }}/_bmi.py',
-    '{{ cookiecutter.package_name }}/_version.py',
-]
-py.install_sources(
-    install_pkg_srcs,
-    subdir: '{{ cookiecutter.package_name }}',
-)
-
-install_lib_srcs = [
-    '{{ cookiecutter.package_name }}/lib/__init__.py',
-{%- for babelized_class in cookiecutter.components|list|sort %}
-    '{{ cookiecutter.package_name }}/lib/{{ babelized_class|lower }}.pyx',
-{%- endfor %}
-]
-py.install_sources(
-    install_lib_srcs,
-    subdir: '{{ cookiecutter.package_name }}/lib',
-)
-
-
-{%- for babelized_class, component in cookiecutter.components|dictsort %}
-py.extension_module(
-    '{{ babelized_class|lower }}',
-    [
-{%- if cookiecutter.language == 'fortran' %}
-        '{{ cookiecutter.package_name }}/lib/bmi_interoperability.f90',
-{%- endif %}
-        '{{ cookiecutter.package_name }}/lib/{{ babelized_class|lower }}.pyx',
-    ],
-    dependencies: [
-        dependency('{{ component.library }}', method : 'pkg-config'),
-    ],
-    include_directories: incs,
-    install: true,
-    subdir: '{{ cookiecutter.package_name }}/lib',
-{%- if cookiecutter.language == 'c++' %}
-    override_options : ['cython_language=cpp'],
-{%- endif %}
-)
-
-install_subdir(
-    'meta/{{ babelized_class }}',
-    install_dir: py.get_install_dir() / '{{ cookiecutter.package_name }}/data',
-)
-
-{%- endfor %}
-
-# This is a temporary fix for editable installs.
-run_command('cp', '-r', '{{ cookiecutter.package_name }}/data', 'build')
diff --git a/babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/requirements-build.txt b/babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/requirements-build.txt
deleted file mode 100644
index c92dc98a..00000000
--- a/babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/requirements-build.txt
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,11 +0,0 @@
-# conda requirements needed to build the project
-{%- if cookiecutter.language == 'c' -%}
-bmi-c
-c-compiler
-{%- elif cookiecutter.language == 'c++' -%}
-bmi-cxx
-cxx-compiler
-{%- elif cookiecutter.language == 'fortran' -%}
-bmi-fortran
-fortran-compiler
-{%- endif %}
diff --git a/babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/requirements-library.txt b/babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/requirements-library.txt
deleted file mode 100644
index 306c4bf3..00000000
--- a/babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/requirements-library.txt
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,3 +0,0 @@
-{%- for requirement in cookiecutter.package_requirements.split(',') %}
-{{ requirement|trim }}
-{%- endfor %}
diff --git a/babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/__init__.py b/babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/__init__.py
deleted file mode 100644
index ae1237e9..00000000
--- a/babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/__init__.py
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-{{ cookiecutter.files['__init__.py'] }}
diff --git a/babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/_bmi.py b/babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/_bmi.py
deleted file mode 100644
index 8aeff829..00000000
--- a/babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/_bmi.py
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-{{cookiecutter.files['_bmi.py']}}
diff --git a/babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/_version.py b/babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/_version.py
deleted file mode 100644
index f697ff61..00000000
--- a/babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/_version.py
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-__version__ = "{{cookiecutter.package_version}}"
diff --git a/babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/lib/__init__.py b/babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/lib/__init__.py
deleted file mode 100644
index fbbeb6b6..00000000
--- a/babelizer/data/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/{{cookiecutter.package_name}}/lib/__init__.py
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-{{ cookiecutter.files['lib/__init__.py'] }}
diff --git a/babelizer/errors.py b/babelizer/errors.py
index edf1abd6..d4787901 100644
--- a/babelizer/errors.py
+++ b/babelizer/errors.py
@@ -35,7 +35,9 @@ class ScanError(BabelizeError):
 class OutputDirExistsError(BabelizeError):
     """An exception used when the directory for babelized output exists."""
 
-    pass
+    def __str__(self) -> str:
+        """Render a user-readable error message."""
+        return f"output directory exists: {self._message}"
 
 
 class SetupPyError(BabelizeError):
diff --git a/babelizer/render.py b/babelizer/render.py
index bd2e8d51..5750f4a0 100644
--- a/babelizer/render.py
+++ b/babelizer/render.py
@@ -2,43 +2,24 @@
 
 from __future__ import annotations
 
-import contextlib
+import datetime
 import os
-import sys
-from collections.abc import Generator
-from typing import Any
 
 import git
-from cookiecutter.exceptions import OutputDirExistsException
-from cookiecutter.main import cookiecutter
 
-from babelizer.metadata import BabelMetadata
-
-try:
-    import black as blk
-    import isort
-except ModuleNotFoundError:
-    MAKE_PRETTY = False
-else:
-    MAKE_PRETTY = True
-
-if sys.version_info >= (3, 11):  # pragma: no cover (PY11+)
-    import tomllib
-else:  # pragma: no cover (<PY311)
-    import tomli as tomllib
-
-from babelizer._datadir import get_datadir
+from babelizer._cookiecutter import cookiecutter
+from babelizer._datadir import get_template_dir
 from babelizer._files.bmi_py import render as render_bmi
 from babelizer._files.gitignore import render as render_gitignore
 from babelizer._files.init_py import render as render_init
 from babelizer._files.lib_init_py import render as render_lib_init
 from babelizer._files.license_rst import render as render_license
+from babelizer.config import BabelConfig
 from babelizer.errors import OutputDirExistsError
-from babelizer.errors import RenderError
 
 
 def render(
-    plugin_metadata: BabelMetadata,
+    babel_config: BabelConfig,
     output: str,
     template: str | None = None,
     clobber: bool = False,
@@ -49,8 +30,8 @@ def render(
 
     Parameters
     ----------
-    plugin_metadata : BabelMetadata
-        The metadata used to babelize the library.
+    babel_config : BabelConfig
+        The configuration used to babelize the library.
     output : str
         Name of the directory that will be the new repository.
     template : str, optional
@@ -73,140 +54,30 @@ def render(
         Raised if output directory exists and clobber is not set.
     """
     if template is None:
-        template = get_datadir()
-
-    context = plugin_metadata.as_cookiecutter_context()
-    context["files"] = {
-        "_bmi.py": render_bmi(plugin_metadata),
-        "__init__.py": render_init(plugin_metadata),
-        "lib/__init__.py": render_lib_init(plugin_metadata),
-        ".gitignore": render_gitignore(plugin_metadata),
-        "LICENSE.rst": render_license(plugin_metadata),
-    }
-
-    try:
-        path = render_plugin_repo(
-            template,
-            context=dict(context, package_version=version),
-            output_dir=output,
-            clobber=clobber,
-        )
-    except OutputDirExistsException as err:
-        raise OutputDirExistsError(", ".join(err.args))
-
-    with open(os.path.join(path, "babel.toml"), "w") as fp:
-        plugin_metadata.dump(fp, fmt="toml")
+        template = get_template_dir()
 
-    if make_pretty and MAKE_PRETTY:
-        prettify_python(path)
+    context = {
+        "files": {
+            "_bmi.py": render_bmi(babel_config),
+            "__init__.py": render_init(babel_config),
+            "lib/__init__.py": render_lib_init(babel_config),
+            ".gitignore": render_gitignore(babel_config),
+            "LICENSE.rst": render_license(babel_config),
+        },
+        "now": datetime.datetime.now(),
+        "package_version": version,
+    } | {k: babel_config[k] for k in babel_config}
 
-    return os.path.realpath(path)
+    if os.path.exists(output):
+        raise OutputDirExistsError(output)
 
+    cookiecutter(template, context=context, output_dir=output)
 
-def render_plugin_repo(
-    template: str,
-    context: dict[str, Any] | None = None,
-    output_dir: str = ".",
-    clobber: bool = False,
-) -> str:
-    """Render a repository for a pymt plugin.
-
-    Parameters
-    ----------
-    template: str
-        Path (or URL) to the cookiecutter template to use.
-    context: dict, optional
-        Context for the new repository.
-    output_dir : str, optional
-        Name of the directory that will be the new repository.
-    clobber: bool, optional
-        If a like-named repository already exists, overwrite it.
+    path = os.path.realpath(output)
 
-    Returns
-    -------
-    path
-        Absolute path to the newly-created repository.
-    """
-    context = context or {}
-
-    try:
-        cookiecutter(
-            template,
-            extra_context=context,
-            output_dir=output_dir,
-            no_input=True,
-            overwrite_if_exists=clobber,
-        )
-    except OutputDirExistsException as err:
-        raise OutputDirExistsError(", ".join(err.args))
-
-    name = context["package_name"]
-
-    # path = os.path.join(output_dir, "{}".format(context["package_name"]))
-    # if not os.path.isdir(path):
-    path = os.path.join(output_dir, name)
-    if not os.path.isdir(path):
-        raise RenderError(f"error creating {path}")
+    with open(os.path.join(path, "babel.toml"), "w") as fp:
+        babel_config.dump(fp, fmt="toml")
 
     git.Repo.init(path)
 
     return path
-
-
-@contextlib.contextmanager
-def as_cwd(path: str) -> Generator[None, None, None]:
-    """Change directory context.
-
-    Parameters
-    ----------
-    path : str
-        Path-like object to a directory.
-    """
-    prev_cwd = os.getcwd()
-    os.chdir(path)
-    yield
-    os.chdir(prev_cwd)
-
-
-def blacken_file(filepath: str) -> None:
-    """Format a Python file with ``black``.
-
-    Parameters
-    ----------
-    filepath : str
-        Path-like object to a Python file.
-    """
-    with open(filepath) as fp:
-        try:
-            new_contents = blk.format_file_contents(
-                fp.read(), fast=True, mode=blk.FileMode()
-            )
-        except blk.NothingChanged:
-            new_contents = None
-    if new_contents:
-        with open(filepath, "w") as fp:
-            fp.write(new_contents)
-
-
-def prettify_python(path_to_repo: str) -> None:
-    """Format files in babelized project with ``black``.
-
-    Parameters
-    ----------
-    path_to_repo : str
-        Path-like object to babelized project.
-    """
-    with open(os.path.join(path_to_repo, "babel.toml")) as fp:
-        meta = tomllib.loads(fp.read())
-    module_name = meta["package"]["name"]
-
-    files_to_fix = [
-        os.path.join(path_to_repo, module_name, "_bmi.py"),
-        os.path.join(path_to_repo, module_name, "__init__.py"),
-        os.path.join(path_to_repo, "docs", "conf.py"),
-    ]
-
-    config = isort.Config(quiet=True)
-    for file_to_fix in files_to_fix:
-        isort.api.sort_file(file_to_fix, config=config)
-        blacken_file(file_to_fix)
diff --git a/babelizer/utils.py b/babelizer/utils.py
deleted file mode 100644
index 887c0383..00000000
--- a/babelizer/utils.py
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,92 +0,0 @@
-"""Utility functions used by the babelizer."""
-
-from __future__ import annotations
-
-import pathlib
-import subprocess
-import sys
-from collections.abc import Generator
-from collections.abc import Iterable
-from collections.abc import Sequence
-from contextlib import contextmanager
-from contextlib import suppress
-
-from babelizer.errors import SetupPyError
-
-
-def execute(args: Sequence[str]) -> subprocess.CompletedProcess[bytes]:
-    """Run a command through the ``subprocess`` module.
-
-    Parameters
-    ----------
-    args : list
-        Command and arguments to command.
-
-    Returns
-    -------
-    ~subprocess.CompletedProcess
-        results from :func:`subprocess.run`.
-    """
-    return subprocess.run(args, capture_output=True, check=True)
-
-
-def setup_py(*args: str) -> list[str]:
-    """Format the command to build/install the babelized package.
-
-    Returns
-    -------
-    list of str
-        The build/install command.
-    """
-    return [sys.executable, "setup.py"] + list(args)
-
-
-def get_setup_py_version() -> str | None:
-    """Get babelized package version.
-
-    Returns
-    -------
-    str or None
-        Package version.
-
-    Raises
-    ------
-    SetupPyError
-        If calling ``python setup.py`` raises an exception.
-    """
-    if pathlib.Path("setup.py").exists():
-        try:
-            execute(setup_py("egg_info"))
-        except subprocess.CalledProcessError as err:
-            stderr = err.stderr.decode("utf-8")
-            if "Traceback" in stderr:
-                raise SetupPyError(stderr) from None
-            return None
-        result = execute(setup_py("--version"))
-        return result.stdout.splitlines()[0].decode("utf-8")
-    else:
-        return None
-
-
-@contextmanager
-def save_files(files: Iterable[str]) -> Generator[dict[str, str], None, None]:
-    """Generate repository files through a context.
-
-    Parameters
-    ----------
-    files : list of str
-        List of path-like objects.
-
-    Yields
-    ------
-    str
-        Generator for repository files.
-    """
-    contents = {}
-    for file_ in files:
-        with suppress(FileNotFoundError), open(file_) as fp:
-            contents[file_] = fp.read()
-    yield contents
-    for file_ in contents:
-        with open(file_, "w") as fp:
-            fp.write(contents[file_])
diff --git a/external/requirements.txt b/external/requirements.txt
index 496776c5..049a9fb8 100644
--- a/external/requirements.txt
+++ b/external/requirements.txt
@@ -1,12 +1,12 @@
-bmi-tester>=0.5.4
 bmi-c
 bmi-cxx
 bmi-fortran
+bmi-tester>=0.5.4
 bmipy
-cmake
 c-compiler
+cmake
 cxx-compiler
 fortran-compiler
 make
-pkg-config
 pip
+pkg-config
diff --git a/news/96.misc b/news/96.misc
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..35872ee2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/news/96.misc
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+
+Removed dependency on *cookiecutter* by adding our own implementation
+of a simplified version.
diff --git a/pyproject.toml b/pyproject.toml
index 47a72c40..cf527ac9 100644
--- a/pyproject.toml
+++ b/pyproject.toml
@@ -33,7 +33,6 @@ classifiers = [
 ]
 dependencies = [
     "click",
-    "cookiecutter",
     "gitpython",
     "importlib-resources; python_version < '3.12'",
     "jinja2",
@@ -66,10 +65,6 @@ dev = [
     "pre-commit",
     "towncrier",
 ]
-format = [
-    "black",
-    "isort>=5",
-]
 docs = [
     "furo",
     "pygments>=2.4",
@@ -112,7 +107,7 @@ attr = "babelizer._version.__version__"
 
 [tool.setuptools.package-data]
 babelizer = [
-    "data/*",
+    "data/**/*",
 ]
 
 [tool.setuptools.packages.find]
diff --git a/requirements-docs.txt b/requirements-docs.txt
index 2f7798f6..ad7389b7 100644
--- a/requirements-docs.txt
+++ b/requirements-docs.txt
@@ -1,10 +1,10 @@
 # Requirements extracted from pyproject.toml
 # [project.optional-dependencies.docs]
-sphinx>=4
+furo
+pygments>=2.4
 sphinx-click
 sphinx-copybutton
 sphinx-inline-tabs
-sphinxcontrib.towncrier
-pygments>=2.4
 sphinx-inline-tabs
-furo
+sphinx>=4
+sphinxcontrib.towncrier
diff --git a/requirements-testing.txt b/requirements-testing.txt
index 0956cbaa..e11fe5fd 100644
--- a/requirements-testing.txt
+++ b/requirements-testing.txt
@@ -1,8 +1,9 @@
 # Requirements extracted from pyproject.toml
 # [project.optional-dependencies.testing]
+bmi-tester>=0.5.9
+coverage[toml]
+coveralls
 pytest
 pytest-cov
 pytest-datadir
 pytest-xdist
-coverage[toml]
-coveralls
diff --git a/requirements.txt b/requirements.txt
index 8ea48b4e..29a5d308 100644
--- a/requirements.txt
+++ b/requirements.txt
@@ -1,9 +1,10 @@
 # Requirements extracted from pyproject.toml
 # [project.dependencies]
-black
 click
 gitpython
+importlib-resources; python_version < '3.12'
+jinja2
+logoizer@ git+https://github.com/mcflugen/logoizer
 pyyaml
-tomlkit
-isort>=5
-cookiecutter
+tomli-w
+tomli; python_version < '3.11'
diff --git a/tests/test_cli.py b/tests/cli_test.py
similarity index 95%
rename from tests/test_cli.py
rename to tests/cli_test.py
index 83ff3d4a..7037397b 100644
--- a/tests/test_cli.py
+++ b/tests/cli_test.py
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@
 from click.testing import CliRunner
 
 from babelizer.cli import babelize
-from babelizer.metadata import BabelMetadata
+from babelizer.config import BabelConfig
 
 
 def test_help():
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ def test_generate_gives_valid_toml():
     assert result.exit_code == 0
 
     config = tomllib.loads(result.output)
-    BabelMetadata.validate(config)
+    BabelConfig.validate(config)
 
 
 def test_init_noargs():