diff --git a/.github/workflows/test-starter-pack.yml b/.github/workflows/test-starter-pack.yml
index 6109d8da..754a1f7c 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/test-starter-pack.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/test-starter-pack.yml
@@ -17,6 +17,8 @@ jobs:
       - name: Check out repo
         uses: actions/checkout@v4
       - name: Run init and build
+        env:
+          default_filetype_choice: md # don't prompt for user choice
         run: sp-tests/run-init-and-build.sh
       - name: Add some files, build, and test
         run: sp-tests/add-files-and-build.sh
@@ -46,6 +48,8 @@ jobs:
       - name: Check out repo
         uses: actions/checkout@v4
       - name: Run init and build
+        env:
+          default_filetype_choice: md # don't prompt for user choice
         run: sp-tests/run-init-and-build.sh docs
       - name: Add some files, build, and test
         run: sp-tests/add-files-and-build.sh docs
diff --git a/init.sh b/init.sh
index dd7926b2..48863209 100755
--- a/init.sh
+++ b/init.sh
@@ -15,6 +15,32 @@ if [ -z "$install_directory" ]; then
     read -rp "Enter the installation directory (e.g., '.' or 'docs'): " install_directory
 fi
 
+# Check if md or rst is preferred for the documentation being built
+promptForFileChoice()
+{
+while true; do
+    read -p "Will you be using the 'rst' or 'md' file format for the documentation (default: 'rst'): " filetype_choice
+
+    filetype_choice=${filetype_choice:-rst}
+
+    if [ "$filetype_choice" = "md" ] || [ "$filetype_choice" = "rst" ]; then
+        file_type="$filetype_choice"
+        echo "Setting filetype to: $file_type"
+        break
+    else
+        echo "Invalid input. Please enter either 'md' or 'rst':"
+    fi
+done
+}
+
+# If default variable for filetype choice is defined in CI then don't prompt user for choice
+if [ -z "${default_filetype_choice:-}" ]; then
+    promptForFileChoice
+else
+    file_type="$default_filetype_choice"
+    echo "Using predefined filetype choice: $file_type"
+fi
+
 # Normalise the install_directory path
 install_directory=$(realpath -m --relative-to="$(pwd)" "$install_directory")
 echo "Installing at $install_directory..."
@@ -84,6 +110,23 @@ fi
 echo "Copying contents to the installation directory..."
 cp -R "$temp_directory"/sp-files/* "$temp_directory"/sp-files/.??* "$install_directory"
 
+# Delete files with unpreferred filetype in the installation directory
+# No wildcard delete to avoid data loss if user Git-inits in dir with pre-existing files
+if [ -z "${default_filetype_choice:-}" ]; then
+    echo "Default filetype not defined, so proceed with deleting unpreferred filetype."
+    if [ "$file_type" = 'md' ]; then
+        echo "Deleting .rst files..."
+        rm "$install_directory"/doc-cheat-sheet.rst
+        rm "$install_directory"/index.rst
+    else
+        echo "Deleting .md files..."
+        rm "$install_directory"/doc-cheat-sheet-myst.md
+        rm "$install_directory"/index.md
+    fi
+else
+    echo "Default filetype is defined, so skip filetype deletion."
+fi
+
 # Ensure GitHub workflows and woke config are placed in the repo root
 # if installing in a non-root directory
 if [ "$install_directory" != "." ]; then
diff --git a/sp-files/index.md b/sp-files/index.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..30f1c89d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/sp-files/index.md
@@ -0,0 +1,73 @@
+# Starter pack
+
+**A single sentence that says what the product is, succinctly and memorably.**
+Consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et
+dolore magna aliqua.
+
+**A paragraph of one to three short sentences, that describe what the product
+does.** Urna cursus eget nunc scelerisque viverra mauris in. Nibh mauris
+cursus mattis molestie a iaculis at vestibulum rhoncus est pellentesque
+elit. Diam phasellus vestibulum lorem sed.
+
+**A third paragraph of similar length, this time explaining what need the
+product meets.** Dui ut ornare lectus sit amet est. Nunc sed augue lacus
+viverra vitae congue eu consequat ac libero id faucibus nisl tincidunt eget
+nullam.
+
+**Finally, a paragraph that describes whom the product is useful for.** Nunc
+non blandit massa enim nec dui nunc mattis enim. Ornare arcu odio ut sem
+nulla pharetra diam porttitor leo a diam sollicitudin tempor id eu. Ipsum
+dolor sit amet consectetur adipiscing elit pellentesque habitant.
+
+---------
+
+## In this documentation
+
+````{grid} 1 1 2 2
+
+```{grid-item-card} [Tutorials](index)
+
+**Start here**: a hands-on introduction to Example Product for new users
+```
+
+```{grid-item-card} [How-to guides](index)
+
+**Step-by-step guides** covering key operations and common tasks
+```
+
+````
+
+````{grid} 1 1 2 2
+:reverse:
+
+```{grid-item-card} [Reference](index)
+
+**Technical information** - specifications, APIs, architecture
+```
+
+```{grid-item-card} [Explanations](index)
+
+**Discussion and clarification** of key topics
+```
+
+````
+
+---------
+
+## Project and community
+
+Example Project is a member of the Ubuntu family. It’s an open source project that warmly welcomes community projects, contributions, suggestions, fixes and constructive feedback.
+
+* Code of conduct
+* Get support
+* Join our online chat
+* Contribute
+* Roadmap
+* Thinking about using Example Product for your next project? Get in touch!
+
+```{toctree}
+:hidden:
+:maxdepth: 2
+
+self
+```