diff --git a/packages/strapi/lib/commands/__tests__/generate-template.test.js b/packages/strapi/lib/commands/__tests__/generate-template.test.js
index e1e576a173..8200bf630a 100644
--- a/packages/strapi/lib/commands/__tests__/generate-template.test.js
+++ b/packages/strapi/lib/commands/__tests__/generate-template.test.js
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ jest.mock('fs-extra', () => ({
   ensureDir: jest.fn(() => Promise.resolve()),
   copy: jest.fn(() => Promise.resolve()),
   pathExists: jest.fn(() => Promise.resolve()),
+  writeJSON: jest.fn(() => Promise.resolve()),
 }));
 
 const { resolve, join } = require('path');
@@ -42,6 +43,17 @@ describe('generate:template command', () => {
     }
   );
 
+  it('creates a json config file', async () => {
+    fse.pathExists.mockReturnValue(false);
+    const directory = '../test-dir';
+    const templatePath = resolve(directory);
+
+    await exportTemplate(directory);
+
+    expect(fse.pathExists).toHaveBeenCalledWith(join(templatePath, 'template.json'));
+    expect(fse.writeJSON).toHaveBeenCalledWith(join(templatePath, 'template.json'), {});
+  });
+
   describe('handles prompt input', () => {
     it('updates directory if confirmed', async () => {
       fse.pathExists.mockReturnValue(true);
@@ -62,6 +74,17 @@ describe('generate:template command', () => {
       expect(fse.copy).toHaveBeenCalled();
     });
 
+    it('does not replace existing config file', async () => {
+      fse.pathExists.mockReturnValue(true);
+      jest.spyOn(inquirer, 'prompt').mockImplementationOnce(() => ({ confirm: true }));
+      const directory = '../test-dir';
+      const templatePath = resolve(directory);
+
+      await exportTemplate(directory);
+      expect(fse.pathExists).toHaveBeenCalledWith(join(templatePath, 'template.json'));
+      expect(fse.writeJSON).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+    });
+
     it('exits if not confirmed', async () => {
       fse.pathExists.mockReturnValue(true);
       jest.spyOn(console, 'error').mockImplementation(() => {});
diff --git a/packages/strapi/lib/commands/generate-template.js b/packages/strapi/lib/commands/generate-template.js
index 2bf63089de..45fc49f495 100644
--- a/packages/strapi/lib/commands/generate-template.js
+++ b/packages/strapi/lib/commands/generate-template.js
@@ -56,10 +56,31 @@ async function copyContent(templatePath) {
   });
 }
 
+async function writeTemplateJson(rootPath) {
+  try {
+    await fse.writeJSON(join(rootPath, 'template.json'), {});
+    console.log(`${chalk.green('success')}: create JSON config file`);
+  } catch (error) {
+    console.error(`${chalk.red('error')}: ${error.message}`);
+  }
+}
+
+async function configExists(templatePath) {
+  const jsonConfig = await fse.pathExists(join(templatePath, 'template.json'));
+  const functionConfig = await fse.pathExists(join(templatePath, 'template.js'));
+
+  return jsonConfig || functionConfig;
+}
+
 module.exports = async function generateTemplate(directory) {
   const dir = directory.startsWith('.') ? directory : `../${directory}`;
   const templatePath = resolve(dir);
 
   await createTemplate(templatePath);
   await copyContent(templatePath);
+
+  const exists = await configExists(templatePath);
+  if (!exists) {
+    await writeTemplateJson(templatePath);
+  }
 };