CLI Design Framework

Overview

Design and review CLIs with a classification-first framework.

Treat this as a decision system, not a generic style guide. Do not assume every CLI should become agent-first, machine-protocol-first, or raw-payload-first.

When to Use

Use this skill when:

• designing a new CLI and the right command shape is not obvious
• reviewing an existing CLI whose help, output, or command tree feels mismatched
• deciding whether a CLI is primarily Capability, Runtime, Environment / Workspace, Workflow, Package / Build, or Meta
• deciding whether human-readable and machine-readable surfaces are primary or secondary
• deciding whether session semantics are justified or over-engineered

Do not use this skill when:

• the CLI classification is already settled and you only need implementation mechanics