oclif-scaffolder
Generate oclif CLI framework projects with plugin support, topics, hooks, and TypeScript. Creates enterprise-grade CLI applications with extensibility.
Best use case
oclif-scaffolder is best used when you need a repeatable AI agent workflow instead of a one-off prompt.
Generate oclif CLI framework projects with plugin support, topics, hooks, and TypeScript. Creates enterprise-grade CLI applications with extensibility.
Teams using oclif-scaffolder should expect a more consistent output, faster repeated execution, less prompt rewriting.
When to use this skill
- You want a reusable workflow that can be run more than once with consistent structure.
When not to use this skill
- You only need a quick one-off answer and do not need a reusable workflow.
- You cannot install or maintain the underlying files, dependencies, or repository context.
Installation
Claude Code / Cursor / Codex
Manual Installation
- Download SKILL.md from GitHub
- Place it in
.claude/skills/oclif-scaffolder/SKILL.mdinside your project - Restart your AI agent — it will auto-discover the skill
How oclif-scaffolder Compares
| Feature / Agent | oclif-scaffolder | Standard Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Platform Support | Not specified | Limited / Varies |
| Context Awareness | High | Baseline |
| Installation Complexity | Unknown | N/A |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does this skill do?
Generate oclif CLI framework projects with plugin support, topics, hooks, and TypeScript. Creates enterprise-grade CLI applications with extensibility.
Where can I find the source code?
You can find the source code on GitHub using the link provided at the top of the page.
SKILL.md Source
# oclif Scaffolder
Generate a complete oclif CLI application with plugin architecture, topics, and enterprise patterns.
## Capabilities
- Generate TypeScript-based oclif CLI projects
- Create command topics with hierarchical organization
- Set up plugin system for extensibility
- Configure hooks for lifecycle events
- Implement flag inheritance and parsing
- Set up testing and development workflows
## Usage
Invoke this skill when you need to:
- Bootstrap an enterprise-grade CLI with oclif
- Create extensible CLIs with plugin support
- Build CLIs with complex command hierarchies
- Implement lifecycle hooks and middleware
## Inputs
| Parameter | Type | Required | Description |
|-----------|------|----------|-------------|
| projectName | string | Yes | Name of the CLI project (kebab-case) |
| description | string | Yes | Short description of the CLI |
| commands | array | No | List of commands to scaffold |
| plugins | boolean | No | Enable plugin support (default: true) |
| topics | array | No | Command topics/namespaces |
### Command Structure
```json
{
"commands": [
{
"name": "deploy",
"description": "Deploy application",
"topic": "app",
"flags": [
{ "name": "env", "char": "e", "required": true },
{ "name": "force", "char": "f", "allowNo": true }
],
"args": [
{ "name": "service", "required": true }
]
}
],
"topics": [
{ "name": "app", "description": "Application commands" },
{ "name": "config", "description": "Configuration management" }
]
}
```
## Output Structure
```
<projectName>/
├── package.json
├── tsconfig.json
├── .gitignore
├── README.md
├── bin/
│ ├── dev.js # Development entry
│ └── run.js # Production entry
├── src/
│ ├── index.ts # Plugin exports
│ ├── commands/
│ │ ├── app/
│ │ │ ├── deploy.ts # app:deploy command
│ │ │ └── status.ts # app:status command
│ │ └── config/
│ │ ├── get.ts # config:get command
│ │ └── set.ts # config:set command
│ ├── hooks/
│ │ ├── init.ts # Init hook
│ │ └── prerun.ts # Pre-run hook
│ └── lib/
│ ├── base-command.ts # Base command class
│ └── config.ts # Configuration
└── test/
└── commands/
└── app/
└── deploy.test.ts
```
## Generated Code Patterns
### Base Command (src/lib/base-command.ts)
```typescript
import { Command, Flags } from '@oclif/core';
import { Config } from './config';
export abstract class BaseCommand extends Command {
static baseFlags = {
verbose: Flags.boolean({
char: 'v',
description: 'Enable verbose output',
}),
config: Flags.string({
char: 'c',
description: 'Path to config file',
}),
};
protected config!: Config;
async init(): Promise<void> {
const { flags } = await this.parse(this.constructor as typeof BaseCommand);
this.config = new Config(flags.config);
}
protected log(message: string): void {
this.logToStderr(message);
}
}
```
### Command Template (src/commands/app/deploy.ts)
```typescript
import { Args, Flags } from '@oclif/core';
import { BaseCommand } from '../../lib/base-command';
export default class Deploy extends BaseCommand {
static description = 'Deploy application to environment';
static examples = [
'<%= config.bin %> <%= command.id %> my-service -e production',
'<%= config.bin %> <%= command.id %> my-service --force',
];
static flags = {
...BaseCommand.baseFlags,
env: Flags.string({
char: 'e',
description: 'Target environment',
required: true,
options: ['development', 'staging', 'production'],
}),
force: Flags.boolean({
char: 'f',
description: 'Force deployment without confirmation',
allowNo: true,
}),
};
static args = {
service: Args.string({
description: 'Service to deploy',
required: true,
}),
};
async run(): Promise<void> {
const { args, flags } = await this.parse(Deploy);
this.log(`Deploying ${args.service} to ${flags.env}`);
if (flags.force) {
this.log('Force mode enabled');
}
// Deployment logic
this.log('Deployment complete!');
}
}
```
### Hook Template (src/hooks/init.ts)
```typescript
import { Hook } from '@oclif/core';
const hook: Hook<'init'> = async function (options) {
// Initialization logic
process.stdout.write(`Initializing ${options.config.name}...\n`);
};
export default hook;
```
## Dependencies
```json
{
"dependencies": {
"@oclif/core": "^3.0.0",
"@oclif/plugin-help": "^6.0.0",
"@oclif/plugin-plugins": "^4.0.0"
},
"devDependencies": {
"@oclif/test": "^3.0.0",
"@types/node": "^20.0.0",
"typescript": "^5.0.0",
"ts-node": "^10.0.0",
"mocha": "^10.0.0",
"chai": "^4.0.0"
}
}
```
## Workflow
1. **Validate inputs** - Check project name, topics structure
2. **Create directory structure** - Set up oclif project layout
3. **Generate package.json** - Configure oclif metadata
4. **Create base command** - Shared flag inheritance
5. **Generate commands** - Topic-organized commands
6. **Create hooks** - Lifecycle hooks
7. **Set up plugins** - Plugin manifest if enabled
8. **Create tests** - Command tests with @oclif/test
## Best Practices Applied
- Topic-based command organization
- Base command for shared functionality
- Hook system for lifecycle events
- Plugin architecture for extensibility
- Auto-generated help and documentation
- Mocha/Chai testing setup
## References
- oclif Documentation: https://oclif.io/
- oclif GitHub: https://github.com/oclif/oclif
- oclif Core: https://github.com/oclif/core
## Target Processes
- cli-application-bootstrap
- plugin-architecture-implementation
- cli-command-structure-designRelated Skills
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