CLI design checklist

Help and version

• A CLI MUST provide --help and -h flags with clear usage, options, and examples. Examples MUST include all required parameters.
• A CLI MUST provide --version and -V flags. The agent MUST reserve -v for --verbose.

Input and output

• A CLI MUST support stdin/stdout piping and MUST allow output redirection (e.g., --output for file creation).
• A CLI emitting structured data MUST offer machine-readable output (e.g., --json).

Safety and control