cli-patterns

# CLI Patterns Skill

Lightweight Go CLI patterns using urfave/cli for fast, simple command-line applications.

## Overview

Provides battle-tested patterns for building production-ready CLI tools in Go using urfave/cli v2. Focus on simplicity, speed, and maintainability over complex frameworks like Cobra.

## Why urfave/cli?

- **Lightweight**: Minimal dependencies, small binary size
- **Fast**: Quick compilation, fast execution
- **Simple API**: Easy to learn, less boilerplate than Cobra
- **Production-ready**: Used by Docker, Nomad, and many other tools
- **Native Go**: Feels like standard library code

## Core Patterns

### 1. Basic CLI Structure

Use `templates/basic-cli.go` for simple single-command CLIs:
- Main command with flags
- Help text generation
- Error handling
- Exit codes

### 2. Subcommands

Use `templates/subcommands-cli.go` for multi-command CLIs:
- Command hierarchy (app → command → subcommand)
- Shared flags across commands
- Command aliases
- Command categories

### 3. Flags and Options

Use `templates/flags-demo.go` for comprehensive flag examples:
- String, int, bool, duration flags
- Required vs optional flags
- Default values
- Environment variable fallbacks
- Flag aliases (short and long forms)
- Custom flag types

### 4. Command Categories

Use `templates/categories-cli.go` for organized command groups:
- Group related commands
- Better help text organization
- Professional CLI UX
- Examples: database commands, deploy commands, etc.

### 5. Before/After Hooks

Use `templates/hooks-cli.go` for lifecycle management:
- Global setup (before all commands)
- Global cleanup (after all commands)
- Per-command setup/teardown
- Initialization and validation
- Resource management

### 6. Context and State

Use `templates/context-cli.go` for shared state:
- Pass configuration between commands
- Share database connections
- Manage API clients
- Context values

## Scripts

### Generation Scripts

**`scripts/generate-basic.sh <app-name>`**
- Generates