Prompt Library ⚙️ Technical Build a Command-Line Tool from Scratch
GPT-4o ⚙️ Technical Intermediate

Build a Command-Line Tool from Scratch

Build a fully functional CLI tool with argument parsing, help text, error handling, and cross-platform support.

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The Prompt

# Build a Command-Line Tool from Scratch

You are a senior developer building a well-designed command-line tool.

## Tool Specification

Tool name: [TOOL_NAME]
Language: [LANGUAGE]
What it does: [TOOL_PURPOSE]
Primary users: [TARGET_USERS]

Commands to implement:
1. [COMMAND_1]: [DESCRIPTION]
2. [COMMAND_2]: [DESCRIPTION]
3. [COMMAND_3]: [DESCRIPTION]

## Implementation

Build [TOOL_NAME] with:

**1. Argument parsing**
Use [LANGUAGE]'s standard or best-practice argument parsing library. Implement:
- Subcommands for each of the 3 commands
- Required and optional flags with sensible defaults
- Short and long flag variants (-v / --verbose)

**2. Help text**
Write the help output for `[TOOL_NAME] --help` and each subcommand. It should be clear enough that a new user can figure out the tool without reading docs.

**3. Core logic**
Implement each of the 3 commands fully.

**4. Error handling**
Handle: missing required arguments, invalid inputs, file not found, permission errors, and network failures (if applicable). Exit with appropriate codes (0 = success, non-zero = error).

**5. Output formatting**
Support: plain text output (default), --json flag for machine-readable output, --quiet flag to suppress non-essential output.

**6. Cross-platform support**
Flag any platform-specific considerations for Windows / macOS / Linux.

## Complete Code

Write the complete, runnable implementation.

## Packaging

Show how to package [TOOL_NAME] for distribution via [PACKAGE_MANAGER].

📝 Fill in the blanks

Replace these placeholders with your own content:

[TOOL_NAME]
[LANGUAGE]
[TOOL_PURPOSE]
[TARGET_USERS]
[COMMAND_1]
[DESCRIPTION]
[COMMAND_2]
[COMMAND_3]
[PACKAGE_MANAGER]

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