spawn-terminal
Spawn a new terminal window to run CLI commands (ffmpeg, curl, python, etc.). Use for non-AI command execution.
Best use case
spawn-terminal is best used when you need a repeatable AI agent workflow instead of a one-off prompt. It is especially useful for teams working in multi. Spawn a new terminal window to run CLI commands (ffmpeg, curl, python, etc.). Use for non-AI command execution.
Spawn a new terminal window to run CLI commands (ffmpeg, curl, python, etc.). Use for non-AI command execution.
Users should expect a more consistent workflow output, faster repeated execution, and less time spent rewriting prompts from scratch.
Practical example
Example input
Use the "spawn-terminal" skill to help with this workflow task. Context: Spawn a new terminal window to run CLI commands (ffmpeg, curl, python, etc.). Use for non-AI command execution.
Example output
A structured workflow result with clearer steps, more consistent formatting, and an output that is easier to reuse in the next run.
When to use this skill
- Use this skill when you want a reusable workflow rather than writing the same prompt again and again.
When not to use this skill
- Do not use this when you only need a one-off answer and do not need a reusable workflow.
- Do not use it if you cannot install or maintain the related files, repository context, or supporting tools.
Installation
Claude Code / Cursor / Codex
Manual Installation
- Download SKILL.md from GitHub
- Place it in
.claude/skills/terminal/SKILL.mdinside your project - Restart your AI agent — it will auto-discover the skill
How spawn-terminal Compares
| Feature / Agent | spawn-terminal | 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?
Spawn a new terminal window to run CLI commands (ffmpeg, curl, python, etc.). Use for non-AI command execution.
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
# Purpose
Spawn a new terminal window to execute CLI commands. This skill is for generic command execution, NOT for spawning AI agents. For AI agents, use the `spawn:agent` skill instead.
## Variables
| Variable | Default | Description |
|----------|---------|-------------|
| LOG_TO_FILE | false | Write full terminal output to debug file |
| CAPTURE | false | Block and return output directly |
## Instructions
**MANDATORY** - You MUST follow the Workflow steps below in order. Do not skip steps.
1. Identify the CLI command the user wants to run
2. Run `<command> --help` first to verify syntax and options
3. Execute the command in a new terminal using `fork_terminal()`
## Red Flags - STOP and follow Cookbook
If you're about to:
- Execute a command without checking its --help first
- Assume you know the command syntax
- Skip the --help step "because it's simple"
- Spawn an AI agent (use `spawn:agent` instead)
**STOP** -> Run `<command> --help` first -> Review output -> Then proceed
## Workflow
**MANDATORY CHECKPOINTS** - Verify each before proceeding:
1. [ ] Understand the user's request
2. [ ] **VERIFY**: This is a CLI command, NOT an AI agent request
3. [ ] READ: '../agent/fork_terminal.py' to understand the tooling
4. [ ] Follow the Cookbook: Read './cookbook/cli-command.md'
5. [ ] **CHECKPOINT**: Ran `<command> --help` and reviewed options
6. [ ] Execute fork_terminal(command, log_to_file=False, log_agent_output=False)
## Cookbook
### CLI Commands
- IF: User requests any non-AI CLI command (ffmpeg, curl, python, npm, etc.)
- THEN: Read and execute './cookbook/cli-command.md'
- Examples:
- "Create a new terminal to run ffmpeg"
- "Spawn terminal with curl"
- "Fork a terminal to run python script.py"
- "New terminal: npm run build"
## Usage
The `fork_terminal()` function is located at `../agent/fork_terminal.py`:
```python
from spawn.agent.fork_terminal import fork_terminal
# Simple command execution (no output capture)
fork_terminal("npm run build")
# With debug output capture
file_path = fork_terminal("ffmpeg -i video.mp4 output.gif", log_to_file=True)
# Blocking capture (waits for completion)
output = fork_terminal("python script.py", capture=True, log_to_file=True)
```
## When to Use spawn:agent Instead
If the user mentions any of these, use `spawn:agent`:
- Claude, Claude Code
- Codex, OpenAI
- Gemini, Google
- Cursor
- OpenCode
- Copilot, GitHub Copilot
- "AI agent", "coding agent", "spawn agent"Related Skills
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