diff --git a/crates/aiken/src/cmd/new.rs b/crates/aiken/src/cmd/new.rs
index f6596f8e..0a52c98f 100644
--- a/crates/aiken/src/cmd/new.rs
+++ b/crates/aiken/src/cmd/new.rs
@@ -107,7 +107,59 @@ fn create_lib(root: &Path) -> miette::Result<()> {
 
 fn create_validators(root: &Path) -> miette::Result<()> {
     let validators = root.join("validators");
-    fs::create_dir_all(validators).into_diagnostic()
+    fs::create_dir_all(&validators).into_diagnostic()?;
+    create_validator_placeholder(&validators)
+}
+
+fn create_validator_placeholder(validators: &Path) -> miette::Result<()> {
+    fs::write(
+        validators.join("placeholder.ak"),
+        indoc! {
+            r#"
+            use cardano/address.{Credential}
+            use cardano/assets.{PolicyId}
+            use cardano/certificate.{Certificate}
+            use cardano/governance.{ProposalProcedure, Voter}
+            use cardano/transaction.{Transaction, OutputReference}
+
+            validator placeholder {
+              mint(_redeemer: Data, _policy_id: PolicyId, _self: Transaction) {
+                todo @"mint logic goes here"
+              }
+
+              spend(_datum: Option<Data>, _redeemer: Data, _utxo: OutputReference, _self: Transaction) {
+                todo @"spend logic goes here"
+              }
+
+              withdraw(_redeemer: Data, _account: Credential, _self: Transaction) {
+                todo @"withdraw logic goes here"
+              }
+
+              publish(_redeemer: Data, _certificate: Certificate, _self: Transaction) {
+                todo @"publish logic goes here"
+              }
+
+              vote(_redeemer: Data, _voter: Voter, _self: Transaction) {
+                todo @"vote logic goes here"
+              }
+
+              propose(_redeemer: Data, _proposal: ProposalProcedure, _self: Transaction) {
+                todo @"propose logic goes here"
+              }
+
+              // // If needs be, remove any of unneeded handlers above, and use:
+              //
+              // else(_ctx: ScriptContext) {
+              //   todo @"fallback logic if none of the other purposes match"
+              // }
+              //
+              // // You will also need an additional import:
+              // //
+              // // use cardano/script_context.{ScriptContext}
+            }
+            "#,
+        },
+    ).into_diagnostic()
 }
 
 fn readme(root: &Path, project_name: &str) -> miette::Result<()> {