diff --git a/NEXT_CHANGELOG.md b/NEXT_CHANGELOG.md
index 88f45aac96..baaf2a2cc3 100644
--- a/NEXT_CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/NEXT_CHANGELOG.md
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@
 ### Dependency updates
 
 ### Bundles
+* Add `default-minimal` template for users who want a clean slate without sample code ([#3885](https://github.com/databricks/cli/pull/3885))
 * Add validation that served_models and served_entities are not used at the same time. Add client side translation logic. ([#3880](https://github.com/databricks/cli/pull/3880))
 
 ### API Changes
diff --git a/acceptance/bundle/help/bundle-init/output.txt b/acceptance/bundle/help/bundle-init/output.txt
index b4b8552492..0713467068 100644
--- a/acceptance/bundle/help/bundle-init/output.txt
+++ b/acceptance/bundle/help/bundle-init/output.txt
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ Initialize using a bundle template to get started quickly.
 TEMPLATE_PATH optionally specifies which template to use. It can be one of the following:
 - default-python: The default Python template for Notebooks and Lakeflow
 - default-sql: The default SQL template for .sql files that run with Databricks SQL
+- default-minimal: The minimal template, for advanced users
 - dbt-sql: The dbt SQL template (databricks.com/blog/delivering-cost-effective-data-real-time-dbt-and-databricks)
 - mlops-stacks: The Databricks MLOps Stacks template (github.com/databricks/mlops-stacks)
 - pydabs: A variant of the 'default-python' template that defines resources in Python instead of YAML
diff --git a/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/input.json b/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/input.json
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..2e6fb96908
--- /dev/null
+++ b/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/input.json
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+{
+    "project_name": "my_default_minimal",
+    "include_job": "no",
+    "include_pipeline": "no",
+    "include_python": "no"
+}
diff --git a/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/out.test.toml b/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/out.test.toml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..d560f1de04
--- /dev/null
+++ b/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/out.test.toml
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+Local = true
+Cloud = false
+
+[EnvMatrix]
+  DATABRICKS_BUNDLE_ENGINE = ["terraform", "direct"]
diff --git a/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/output.txt b/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/output.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..5d0538b038
--- /dev/null
+++ b/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/output.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+
+>>> [CLI] bundle init default-minimal --config-file ./input.json --output-dir output
+Welcome to the minimal Databricks Asset Bundle template!
+
+This template creates a minimal project structure without sample code, ideal for advanced users.
+(For getting started with Python or SQL code, use the default-python or default-sql templates instead.)
+
+Your workspace at [DATABRICKS_URL] is used for initialization.
+(See https://docs.databricks.com/dev-tools/cli/profiles.html for how to change your profile.)
+
+✨ Your new project has been created in the 'my_default_minimal' directory!
+
+To get started, refer to the project README.md file and the documentation at https://docs.databricks.com/dev-tools/bundles/index.html.
+
+>>> [CLI] bundle validate -t dev
+Name: my_default_minimal
+Target: dev
+Workspace:
+  Host: [DATABRICKS_URL]
+  User: [USERNAME]
+  Path: /Workspace/Users/[USERNAME]/.bundle/my_default_minimal/dev
+
+Validation OK!
+
+>>> [CLI] bundle validate -t prod
+Name: my_default_minimal
+Target: prod
+Workspace:
+  Host: [DATABRICKS_URL]
+  User: [USERNAME]
+  Path: /Workspace/Users/[USERNAME]/.bundle/my_default_minimal/prod
+
+Validation OK!
diff --git a/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/output/my_default_minimal/.vscode/__builtins__.pyi b/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/output/my_default_minimal/.vscode/__builtins__.pyi
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..0edd5181bc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/output/my_default_minimal/.vscode/__builtins__.pyi
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+# Typings for Pylance in Visual Studio Code
+# see https://github.com/microsoft/pyright/blob/main/docs/builtins.md
+from databricks.sdk.runtime import *
diff --git a/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/output/my_default_minimal/.vscode/extensions.json b/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/output/my_default_minimal/.vscode/extensions.json
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..75a111a6a9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/output/my_default_minimal/.vscode/extensions.json
@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+{
+    "recommendations": [
+        "databricks.databricks",
+        "redhat.vscode-yaml",
+        "ms-python.black-formatter"
+    ]
+}
diff --git a/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/output/my_default_minimal/.vscode/settings.json b/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/output/my_default_minimal/.vscode/settings.json
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..c49593bc59
--- /dev/null
+++ b/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/output/my_default_minimal/.vscode/settings.json
@@ -0,0 +1,39 @@
+{
+    "jupyter.interactiveWindow.cellMarker.codeRegex": "^# COMMAND ----------|^# Databricks notebook source|^(#\\s*%%|#\\s*\\<codecell\\>|#\\s*In\\[\\d*?\\]|#\\s*In\\[ \\])",
+    "jupyter.interactiveWindow.cellMarker.default": "# COMMAND ----------",
+    "python.testing.pytestArgs": [
+        "."
+    ],
+    "files.exclude": {
+        "**/*.egg-info": true,
+        "**/__pycache__": true,
+        ".pytest_cache": true,
+        "dist": true,
+    },
+    "files.associations": {
+        "**/.gitkeep": "markdown"
+    },
+
+    // Pylance settings (VS Code)
+    // Set typeCheckingMode to "basic" to enable type checking!
+    "python.analysis.typeCheckingMode": "off",
+    "python.analysis.extraPaths": ["src", "lib", "resources"],
+    "python.analysis.diagnosticMode": "workspace",
+    "python.analysis.stubPath": ".vscode",
+
+    // Pyright settings (Cursor)
+    // Set typeCheckingMode to "basic" to enable type checking!
+    "cursorpyright.analysis.typeCheckingMode": "off",
+    "cursorpyright.analysis.extraPaths": ["src", "lib", "resources"],
+    "cursorpyright.analysis.diagnosticMode": "workspace",
+    "cursorpyright.analysis.stubPath": ".vscode",
+
+    // General Python settings
+    "python.defaultInterpreterPath": "./.venv/bin/python",
+    "python.testing.unittestEnabled": false,
+    "python.testing.pytestEnabled": true,
+    "[python]": {
+        "editor.defaultFormatter": "ms-python.black-formatter",
+        "editor.formatOnSave": true,
+    },
+}
diff --git a/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/output/my_default_minimal/README.md b/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/output/my_default_minimal/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..2d7f9c9f17
--- /dev/null
+++ b/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/output/my_default_minimal/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,62 @@
+# my_default_minimal
+
+The 'my_default_minimal' project was generated by using the default template.
+
+* `src/`: Python source code for this project.
+* `resources/`:  Resource configurations (jobs, pipelines, etc.)
+* `tests/`: Unit tests for the shared Python code.
+* `fixtures/`: Fixtures for data sets (primarily used for testing).
+
+
+## Getting started
+
+Choose how you want to work on this project:
+
+(a) Directly in your Databricks workspace, see
+    https://docs.databricks.com/dev-tools/bundles/workspace.
+
+(b) Locally with an IDE like Cursor or VS Code, see
+    https://docs.databricks.com/dev-tools/vscode-ext.html.
+
+(c) With command line tools, see https://docs.databricks.com/dev-tools/cli/databricks-cli.html
+
+If you're developing with an IDE, dependencies for this project should be installed using uv:
+
+*  Make sure you have the UV package manager installed.
+   It's an alternative to tools like pip: https://docs.astral.sh/uv/getting-started/installation/.
+*  Run `uv sync --dev` to install the project's dependencies.
+
+
+# Using this project using the CLI
+
+The Databricks workspace and IDE extensions provide a graphical interface for working
+with this project. It's also possible to interact with it directly using the CLI:
+
+1. Authenticate to your Databricks workspace, if you have not done so already:
+    ```
+    $ databricks configure
+    ```
+
+2. To deploy a development copy of this project, type:
+    ```
+    $ databricks bundle deploy --target dev
+    ```
+    (Note that "dev" is the default target, so the `--target` parameter
+    is optional here.)
+
+    This deploys everything that's defined for this project.
+
+3. Similarly, to deploy a production copy, type:
+   ```
+   $ databricks bundle deploy --target prod
+   ```
+
+4. To run a job or pipeline, use the "run" command:
+   ```
+   $ databricks bundle run
+   ```
+
+5. Finally, to run tests locally, use `pytest`:
+   ```
+   $ uv run pytest
+   ```
diff --git a/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/output/my_default_minimal/databricks.yml b/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/output/my_default_minimal/databricks.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..897135948c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/output/my_default_minimal/databricks.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,42 @@
+# This is a Databricks asset bundle definition for my_default_minimal.
+# See https://docs.databricks.com/dev-tools/bundles/index.html for documentation.
+bundle:
+  name: my_default_minimal
+  uuid: [UUID]
+
+include:
+  - resources/*.yml
+  - resources/*/*.yml
+
+# Variable declarations. These variables are assigned in the dev/prod targets below.
+variables:
+  catalog:
+    description: The catalog to use
+  schema:
+    description: The schema to use
+
+targets:
+  dev:
+    # The default target uses 'mode: development' to create a development copy.
+    # - Deployed resources get prefixed with '[dev my_user_name]'
+    # - Any job schedules and triggers are paused by default.
+    # See also https://docs.databricks.com/dev-tools/bundles/deployment-modes.html.
+    mode: development
+    default: true
+    workspace:
+      host: [DATABRICKS_URL]
+    variables:
+      catalog: hive_metastore
+      schema: ${workspace.current_user.short_name}
+  prod:
+    mode: production
+    workspace:
+      host: [DATABRICKS_URL]
+      # We explicitly deploy to /Workspace/Users/[USERNAME] to make sure we only have a single copy.
+      root_path: /Workspace/Users/[USERNAME]/.bundle/${bundle.name}/${bundle.target}
+    variables:
+      catalog: hive_metastore
+      schema: prod
+    permissions:
+      - user_name: [USERNAME]
+        level: CAN_MANAGE
diff --git a/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/output/my_default_minimal/fixtures/.gitkeep b/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/output/my_default_minimal/fixtures/.gitkeep
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..77a906614c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/output/my_default_minimal/fixtures/.gitkeep
@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+# Test fixtures directory
+
+Add JSON or CSV files here. In tests, use them with `load_fixture()`:
+
+```
+def test_using_fixture(load_fixture):
+    data = load_fixture("my_data.json")
+    assert len(data) >= 1
+```
diff --git a/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/output/my_default_minimal/out.gitignore b/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/output/my_default_minimal/out.gitignore
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..e566c51f74
--- /dev/null
+++ b/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/output/my_default_minimal/out.gitignore
@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+.databricks/
+build/
+dist/
+__pycache__/
+*.egg-info
+.venv/
+scratch/**
+!scratch/README.md
+**/explorations/**
+**/!explorations/README.md
diff --git a/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/output/my_default_minimal/pyproject.toml b/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/output/my_default_minimal/pyproject.toml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..63f5447cf7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/output/my_default_minimal/pyproject.toml
@@ -0,0 +1,32 @@
+[project]
+name = "my_default_minimal"
+version = "0.0.1"
+authors = [{ name = "[USERNAME]" }]
+requires-python = ">=3.10,<=3.13"
+dependencies = [
+    # Any dependencies for jobs and pipelines in this project can be added here
+    # See also https://docs.databricks.com/dev-tools/bundles/library-dependencies
+    #
+    # LIMITATION: for pipelines, dependencies are cached during development;
+    # add dependencies to the 'environment' section of your pipeline.yml file instead
+]
+
+[dependency-groups]
+dev = [
+    "pytest",
+    "databricks-dlt",
+    "databricks-connect>=15.4,<15.5",
+]
+
+[project.scripts]
+main = "my_default_minimal.main:main"
+
+[build-system]
+requires = ["hatchling"]
+build-backend = "hatchling.build"
+
+[tool.hatch.build.targets.wheel]
+packages = ["src"]
+
+[tool.black]
+line-length = 125
diff --git a/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/output/my_default_minimal/tests/conftest.py b/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/output/my_default_minimal/tests/conftest.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..4df274fd43
--- /dev/null
+++ b/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/output/my_default_minimal/tests/conftest.py
@@ -0,0 +1,98 @@
+"""This file configures pytest.
+
+This file is in the root since it can be used for tests in any place in this
+project, including tests under resources/.
+"""
+
+import os, sys, pathlib
+from contextlib import contextmanager
+
+
+try:
+    from databricks.connect import DatabricksSession
+    from databricks.sdk import WorkspaceClient
+    from pyspark.sql import SparkSession
+    import pytest
+    import json
+    import csv
+    import os
+except ImportError:
+    raise ImportError(
+        "Test dependencies not found.\n\nRun tests using 'uv run pytest'. See http://docs.astral.sh/uv to learn more about uv."
+    )
+
+
+@pytest.fixture()
+def spark() -> SparkSession:
+    """Provide a SparkSession fixture for tests.
+
+    Minimal example:
+        def test_uses_spark(spark):
+            df = spark.createDataFrame([(1,)], ["x"])
+            assert df.count() == 1
+    """
+    return DatabricksSession.builder.getOrCreate()
+
+
+@pytest.fixture()
+def load_fixture(spark: SparkSession):
+    """Provide a callable to load JSON or CSV from fixtures/ directory.
+
+    Example usage:
+
+        def test_using_fixture(load_fixture):
+            data = load_fixture("my_data.json")
+            assert data.count() >= 1
+    """
+
+    def _loader(filename: str):
+        path = pathlib.Path(__file__).parent.parent / "fixtures" / filename
+        suffix = path.suffix.lower()
+        if suffix == ".json":
+            rows = json.loads(path.read_text())
+            return spark.createDataFrame(rows)
+        if suffix == ".csv":
+            with path.open(newline="") as f:
+                rows = list(csv.DictReader(f))
+            return spark.createDataFrame(rows)
+        raise ValueError(f"Unsupported fixture type for: {filename}")
+
+    return _loader
+
+
+def _enable_fallback_compute():
+    """Enable serverless compute if no compute is specified."""
+    conf = WorkspaceClient().config
+    if conf.serverless_compute_id or conf.cluster_id or os.environ.get("SPARK_REMOTE"):
+        return
+
+    url = "https://docs.databricks.com/dev-tools/databricks-connect/cluster-config"
+    print("☁️ no compute specified, falling back to serverless compute", file=sys.stderr)
+    print(f"  see {url} for manual configuration", file=sys.stdout)
+
+    os.environ["DATABRICKS_SERVERLESS_COMPUTE_ID"] = "auto"
+
+
+@contextmanager
+def _allow_stderr_output(config: pytest.Config):
+    """Temporarily disable pytest output capture."""
+    capman = config.pluginmanager.get_plugin("capturemanager")
+    if capman:
+        with capman.global_and_fixture_disabled():
+            yield
+    else:
+        yield
+
+
+def pytest_configure(config: pytest.Config):
+    """Configure pytest session."""
+    with _allow_stderr_output(config):
+        _enable_fallback_compute()
+
+        # Initialize Spark session eagerly, so it is available even when
+        # SparkSession.builder.getOrCreate() is used. For DB Connect 15+,
+        # we validate version compatibility with the remote cluster.
+        if hasattr(DatabricksSession.builder, "validateSession"):
+            DatabricksSession.builder.validateSession().getOrCreate()
+        else:
+            DatabricksSession.builder.getOrCreate()
diff --git a/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/script b/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/script
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..bce20c6ed9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/script
@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+trace $CLI bundle init default-minimal --config-file ./input.json --output-dir output
+
+cd output/my_default_minimal
+
+# Verify that empty directories are preserved
+[ -d "src" ] || exit 1
+[ -d "resources" ] || exit 1
+
+trace $CLI bundle validate -t dev
+trace $CLI bundle validate -t prod
+
+# Do not affect this repository's git behaviour #2318
+mv .gitignore out.gitignore
+rm -r .databricks
+
+cd ../../
diff --git a/acceptance/bundle/templates/lakeflow-pipelines/python/output/my_lakeflow_pipelines/pyproject.toml b/acceptance/bundle/templates/lakeflow-pipelines/python/output/my_lakeflow_pipelines/pyproject.toml
index c5cf343c0b..9df288afd2 100644
--- a/acceptance/bundle/templates/lakeflow-pipelines/python/output/my_lakeflow_pipelines/pyproject.toml
+++ b/acceptance/bundle/templates/lakeflow-pipelines/python/output/my_lakeflow_pipelines/pyproject.toml
@@ -25,5 +25,8 @@ main = "my_lakeflow_pipelines.main:main"
 requires = ["hatchling"]
 build-backend = "hatchling.build"
 
+[tool.hatch.build.targets.wheel]
+packages = ["src"]
+
 [tool.black]
 line-length = 125
diff --git a/acceptance/bundle/templates/lakeflow-pipelines/sql/output/my_lakeflow_pipelines/pyproject.toml b/acceptance/bundle/templates/lakeflow-pipelines/sql/output/my_lakeflow_pipelines/pyproject.toml
index c5cf343c0b..9df288afd2 100644
--- a/acceptance/bundle/templates/lakeflow-pipelines/sql/output/my_lakeflow_pipelines/pyproject.toml
+++ b/acceptance/bundle/templates/lakeflow-pipelines/sql/output/my_lakeflow_pipelines/pyproject.toml
@@ -25,5 +25,8 @@ main = "my_lakeflow_pipelines.main:main"
 requires = ["hatchling"]
 build-backend = "hatchling.build"
 
+[tool.hatch.build.targets.wheel]
+packages = ["src"]
+
 [tool.black]
 line-length = 125
diff --git a/libs/template/renderer.go b/libs/template/renderer.go
index 3658f28e94..4416211b19 100644
--- a/libs/template/renderer.go
+++ b/libs/template/renderer.go
@@ -50,6 +50,16 @@ type renderer struct {
 	// do not match any glob patterns from this list
 	skipPatterns []string
 
+	// Directories visited during the template walk. These directories will be created
+	// during persistToDisk even if they end up empty (all their files were skipped).
+	//
+	// WHY: The template's directory structure is part of its design and should be
+	// preserved even when empty. For example, an empty 'src/' directory shows users
+	// where to put their source code, and an empty 'resources/' directory indicates
+	// where to define bundle resources. Empty directories are only omitted if there's
+	// an explicit {{skip}} directive for that directory in the template.
+	visitedDirs []string
+
 	// [fs.FS] that holds the template's file tree.
 	srcFS fs.FS
 }
@@ -94,6 +104,7 @@ func newRenderer(
 		baseTemplate: tmpl,
 		files:        make([]file, 0),
 		skipPatterns: make([]string, 0),
+		visitedDirs:  make([]string, 0),
 		srcFS:        srcFS,
 	}, nil
 }
@@ -213,6 +224,10 @@ func (r *renderer) computeFile(relPathTemplate string) (file, error) {
 //
 // This is not possible using the std library WalkDir which processes the files in
 // lexical order which is why this function implements BFS.
+//
+// BFS order (breadth-first search) also ensures that parent directories are visited
+// before their children, which is important for creating empty directories during
+// persistToDisk - parent directories must exist before we can create subdirectories.
 func (r *renderer) walk() error {
 	directories := []string{"."}
 	var currentDirectory string
@@ -234,6 +249,11 @@ func (r *renderer) walk() error {
 			continue
 		}
 
+		// Track visited directory so it can be created even if empty.
+		// We preserve the directory structure because it's part of the template's design,
+		// guiding users where to place their files (e.g., src/ for source code).
+		r.visitedDirs = append(r.visitedDirs, instanceDirectory)
+
 		// Add skip function, which accumulates skip patterns relative to current
 		// directory
 		r.baseTemplate.Funcs(template.FuncMap{
@@ -326,6 +346,36 @@ func (r *renderer) persistToDisk(ctx context.Context, out filer.Filer) error {
 			return err
 		}
 	}
+
+	// Ensure all visited directories exist, preserving the template's directory structure.
+	// Empty directories (where all files were skipped) are still created because:
+	// 1. The directory structure is part of the template's design
+	// 2. Empty directories guide users on where to put their own files (e.g., src/, resources/)
+	// 3. Only explicit {{skip}} directives should prevent directory creation
+	for _, dir := range r.visitedDirs {
+		// Skip the root directory (current working directory)
+		if dir == "." {
+			continue
+		}
+
+		// Check if directory already exists (may have been created during file writes)
+		_, err := out.Stat(ctx, dir)
+		if err == nil {
+			// Directory already exists, nothing to do
+			continue
+		}
+		if !errors.Is(err, fs.ErrNotExist) {
+			return fmt.Errorf("error checking if directory %s exists: %w", dir, err)
+		}
+
+		// Create the directory. Since visitedDirs is in BFS order (parents before children),
+		// parent directories are guaranteed to exist by the time we create children.
+		err = out.Mkdir(ctx, dir)
+		if err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("failed to create directory %s: %w", dir, err)
+		}
+	}
+
 	return nil
 }
 
diff --git a/libs/template/renderer_test.go b/libs/template/renderer_test.go
index f0dbf1335e..6c77aedfb6 100644
--- a/libs/template/renderer_test.go
+++ b/libs/template/renderer_test.go
@@ -452,7 +452,8 @@ func TestRendererSkip(t *testing.T) {
 	// These files have been skipped
 	assert.NoFileExists(t, filepath.Join(tmpDir, "file3"))
 	assert.NoFileExists(t, filepath.Join(tmpDir, "dir1/file4"))
-	assert.NoDirExists(t, filepath.Join(tmpDir, "dir2"))
+	// dir2 exists (visited during walk) even though all its files were skipped
+	assert.DirExists(t, filepath.Join(tmpDir, "dir2"))
 	assert.NoFileExists(t, filepath.Join(tmpDir, "dir2/file6"))
 }
 
diff --git a/libs/template/template.go b/libs/template/template.go
index e707090f7d..e1628b409a 100644
--- a/libs/template/template.go
+++ b/libs/template/template.go
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ type TemplateName string
 
 const (
 	DefaultPython             TemplateName = "default-python"
+	DefaultMinimal            TemplateName = "default-minimal"
 	ExperimentalDefaultPython TemplateName = "experimental-default-python-vnext"
 	DefaultSql                TemplateName = "default-sql"
 	LakeflowPipelines         TemplateName = "lakeflow-pipelines"
@@ -50,6 +51,12 @@ var databricksTemplates = []Template{
 		Reader:      &builtinReader{name: string(DefaultSql)},
 		Writer:      &writerWithFullTelemetry{defaultWriter: defaultWriter{name: DefaultSql}},
 	},
+	{
+		name:        DefaultMinimal,
+		description: "The minimal template, for advanced users",
+		Reader:      &builtinReader{name: string(DefaultMinimal)},
+		Writer:      &writerWithFullTelemetry{defaultWriter: defaultWriter{name: DefaultMinimal}},
+	},
 	{
 		name:        LakeflowPipelines,
 		hidden:      true,
diff --git a/libs/template/template_test.go b/libs/template/template_test.go
index 7613d708a4..9a5bd88e05 100644
--- a/libs/template/template_test.go
+++ b/libs/template/template_test.go
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ import (
 func TestTemplateHelpDescriptions(t *testing.T) {
 	expected := `- default-python: The default Python template for Notebooks and Lakeflow
 - default-sql: The default SQL template for .sql files that run with Databricks SQL
+- default-minimal: The minimal template, for advanced users
 - dbt-sql: The dbt SQL template (databricks.com/blog/delivering-cost-effective-data-real-time-dbt-and-databricks)
 - mlops-stacks: The Databricks MLOps Stacks template (github.com/databricks/mlops-stacks)
 - pydabs: A variant of the 'default-python' template that defines resources in Python instead of YAML`
@@ -20,6 +21,7 @@ func TestTemplateOptions(t *testing.T) {
 	expected := []cmdio.Tuple{
 		{Name: "default-python", Id: "The default Python template for Notebooks and Lakeflow"},
 		{Name: "default-sql", Id: "The default SQL template for .sql files that run with Databricks SQL"},
+		{Name: "default-minimal", Id: "The minimal template, for advanced users"},
 		{Name: "dbt-sql", Id: "The dbt SQL template (databricks.com/blog/delivering-cost-effective-data-real-time-dbt-and-databricks)"},
 		{Name: "mlops-stacks", Id: "The Databricks MLOps Stacks template (github.com/databricks/mlops-stacks)"},
 		{Name: "pydabs", Id: "A variant of the 'default-python' template that defines resources in Python instead of YAML"},
@@ -53,6 +55,7 @@ func TestTemplateTelemetryIsCapturedForAllDefaultTemplates(t *testing.T) {
 func TestTemplateGetDatabricksTemplate(t *testing.T) {
 	names := []TemplateName{
 		DefaultPython,
+		DefaultMinimal,
 		DefaultSql,
 		DbtSql,
 		MlopsStacks,
diff --git a/libs/template/templates/default-minimal/databricks_template_schema.json b/libs/template/templates/default-minimal/databricks_template_schema.json
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..6c88858d93
--- /dev/null
+++ b/libs/template/templates/default-minimal/databricks_template_schema.json
@@ -0,0 +1,97 @@
+{
+    "template_dir": "../default",
+    "welcome_message": "Welcome to the minimal Databricks Asset Bundle template!\n\nThis template creates a minimal project structure without sample code, ideal for advanced users.\n(For getting started with Python or SQL code, use the default-python or default-sql templates instead.)\n\nYour workspace at {{workspace_host}} is used for initialization.\n(See https://docs.databricks.com/dev-tools/cli/profiles.html for how to change your profile.)",
+    "properties": {
+        "project_name": {
+            "type": "string",
+            "default": "my_project",
+            "description": "\nUnique name for this project",
+            "order": 1,
+            "pattern": "^[A-Za-z0-9_]+$",
+            "pattern_match_failure_message": "Name must consist of letters, numbers, and underscores."
+        },
+        "include_job": {
+            "//": "This property is always set to 'no' for default-minimal",
+            "skip_prompt_if": {},
+            "type": "string",
+            "default": "no",
+            "enum": ["yes", "no"],
+            "description": "Include a job that runs a notebook",
+            "order": 2
+        },
+        "include_pipeline": {
+            "//": "This property is always set to 'no' for default-minimal",
+            "skip_prompt_if": {},
+            "type": "string",
+            "default": "no",
+            "enum": ["yes", "no"],
+            "description": "Include an ETL pipeline",
+            "order": 3
+        },
+        "include_python": {
+            "//": "This property is always set to 'no' for default-minimal",
+            "skip_prompt_if": {},
+            "type": "string",
+            "default": "no",
+            "enum": ["yes", "no"],
+            "description": "Include a sample Python package that builds into a wheel file",
+            "order": 4
+        },
+        "serverless": {
+            "//": "This property is always set to 'yes' for default-minimal",
+            "skip_prompt_if": {},
+            "type": "string",
+            "default": "yes",
+            "enum": ["yes", "no"],
+            "description": "Use serverless compute",
+            "order": 5
+        },
+        "default_catalog": {
+            "type": "string",
+            "default": "{{if eq (default_catalog) \"\"}}hive_metastore{{else}}{{default_catalog}}{{end}}",
+            "pattern": "^\\w*$",
+            "pattern_match_failure_message": "Invalid catalog name.",
+            "description": "Default catalog for any tables created by this project{{if eq (default_catalog) \"\"}} (leave blank when not using Unity Catalog){{end}}",
+            "order": 6
+        },
+        "personal_schemas": {
+            "type": "string",
+            "description": "Use a personal schema for each user working on this project.\n(This is recommended. Your personal schema will be '{{.default_catalog}}.{{short_name}}'.)",
+            "default": "yes",
+            "enum": [
+                "yes",
+                "no, I will customize the schema configuration later in databricks.yml"
+            ],
+            "order": 7
+        },
+        "language": {
+            "//": "This property is always set to 'python' for default-minimal",
+            "skip_prompt_if": {},
+            "type": "string",
+            "default": "python",
+            "description": "Initial language for this project",
+            "enum": [
+                "python",
+                "sql"
+            ],
+            "order": 8
+        },
+        "lakeflow_only": {
+            "//": "This property is always set to 'no' for default-minimal",
+            "skip_prompt_if": {},
+            "type": "string",
+            "default": "no",
+            "description": "Internal flag for lakeflow-only templates",
+            "order": 9
+        },
+        "enable_pydabs": {
+            "//": "This property is always set to 'no' for default-minimal",
+            "skip_prompt_if": {},
+            "type": "string",
+            "default": "no",
+            "description": "Use Python instead of YAML for resource definitions",
+            "order": 10
+        }
+    },
+    "success_message": "\n✨ Your new project has been created in the '{{.project_name}}' directory!\n\nTo get started, refer to the project README.md file and the documentation at https://docs.databricks.com/dev-tools/bundles/index.html."
+}
diff --git a/libs/template/templates/default/template/__preamble.tmpl b/libs/template/templates/default/template/__preamble.tmpl
index 7360caf451..4e8d5cd203 100644
--- a/libs/template/templates/default/template/__preamble.tmpl
+++ b/libs/template/templates/default/template/__preamble.tmpl
@@ -20,12 +20,7 @@ This file only contains template directives; it is skipped for the actual output
   {{skip "{{.project_name}}/src/{{.project_name}}"}}
 {{end}}
 
-{{if or $python_package $notebook_job $pipeline}}
-  # Remove .gitkeep files for a non-empty project
-  {{skip "{{.project_name}}/src/.gitkeep"}}
-  {{skip "{{.project_name}}/resources/.gitkeep"}}
-{{else}}
-  # Fully empty project, even remove the sample job
+{{if not (or $python_package $notebook_job $pipeline)}}
   {{skip "{{.project_name}}/resources/sample_job.job.yml"}}
   {{skip "{{.project_name}}/resources/sample_job.py"}}
 {{end}}
@@ -41,10 +36,10 @@ This file only contains template directives; it is skipped for the actual output
 {{end}}
 
 {{if or $sql_language $lakeflow_only}}
-  # Do not include tests when using SQL or when created from the Lakeflow workspace UI
-  # (until we have better UI support for tests)
   {{skip "{{.project_name}}/tests"}}
   {{skip "{{.project_name}}/fixtures"}}
+{{else if not (or $python_package $notebook_job $pipeline)}}
+  {{skip "{{.project_name}}/tests/sample_*.py"}}
 {{end}}
 
 {{if $pydabs}}
diff --git a/libs/template/templates/default/template/{{.project_name}}/pyproject.toml.tmpl b/libs/template/templates/default/template/{{.project_name}}/pyproject.toml.tmpl
index bf8c74c61c..7ca8241ee4 100644
--- a/libs/template/templates/default/template/{{.project_name}}/pyproject.toml.tmpl
+++ b/libs/template/templates/default/template/{{.project_name}}/pyproject.toml.tmpl
@@ -27,6 +27,15 @@ main = "{{.project_name}}.main:main"
 [build-system]
 requires = ["hatchling"]
 build-backend = "hatchling.build"
+{{- $has_python_package_dir := and (or (eq .include_python "yes") (eq .include_job "yes") (eq .include_pipeline "yes")) (not (eq .lakeflow_only "yes")) }}
+{{- if not $has_python_package_dir }}
+{{- /* Hatch can normally automatically detect the package directory,
+     * but requires an explicit setting when the package directory is empty.
+     */}}
+
+[tool.hatch.build.targets.wheel]
+packages = ["src"]
+{{- end }}
 
 [tool.black]
 line-length = 125
diff --git a/libs/template/templates/default/template/{{.project_name}}/resources/.gitkeep b/libs/template/templates/default/template/{{.project_name}}/resources/.gitkeep
deleted file mode 100644
index 3e09c14c18..0000000000
--- a/libs/template/templates/default/template/{{.project_name}}/resources/.gitkeep
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-This folder is reserved for Databricks Asset Bundles resource definitions.
diff --git a/libs/template/templates/default/template/{{.project_name}}/src/.gitkeep b/libs/template/templates/default/template/{{.project_name}}/src/.gitkeep
deleted file mode 100644
index 0e0ed1e00b..0000000000
--- a/libs/template/templates/default/template/{{.project_name}}/src/.gitkeep
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-This folder is reserved for Databricks Asset Bundles source files.