CLI Design Skill

Overview

This skill guides the design of command-line interface specifications before implementation or during refactoring. It focuses on creating CLIs that are both human-friendly and script-compatible, following established best practices and conventions.

When to Use This Skill

Use this skill when:

• Designing a new command-line tool from scratch
• Refactoring an existing CLI to improve UX
• Planning CLI parameters, flags, and subcommands
• Defining help text, error messages, and output formats
• Establishing configuration precedence and environment handling
• Designing safe operation modes (dry-run, confirmations, force flags)

Design Workflow

Step 1: Clarification