# sade [![Build Status](https://travis-ci.org/lukeed/sade.svg?branch=master)](https://travis-ci.org/lukeed/sade) > Smooth (CLI) Operator 🎶 Sade is a small but powerful tool for building command-line interface (CLI) applications for Node.js that are fast, responsive, and helpful! It enables default commands, git-like subcommands, option flags with aliases, default option values with type-casting, required-vs-optional argument handling, command validation, and automated help text generation! Your app's UX will be as smooth as butter... just like [Sade's voice](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TYv2PhG89A). 😉 ## Install ``` $ npm install --save sade ``` ## Usage ***Input:*** ```js #!/usr/bin/env node const sade = require('sade'); const prog = sade('my-cli'); prog .version('1.0.5') .option('--global, -g', 'An example global flag') .option('-c, --config', 'Provide path to custom config', 'foo.config.js'); prog .command('build ') .describe('Build the source directory. Expects an `index.js` entry file.') .option('-o, --output', 'Change the name of the output file', 'bundle.js') .example('build src build --global --config my-conf.js') .example('build app public -o main.js') .action((src, dest, opts) => { console.log(`> building from ${src} to ${dest}`); console.log('> these are extra opts', opts); }); prog.parse(process.argv); ``` ***Output:*** ```a $ my-cli --help Usage $ my-cli [options] Available Commands build Build the source directory. For more info, run any command with the `--help` flag $ my-cli build --help Options -v, --version Displays current version -g, --global An example global flag -c, --config Provide path to custom config (default foo.config.js) -h, --help Displays this message $ my-cli build --help Description Build the source directory. Expects an `index.js` entry file. Usage $ my-cli build [options] Options -o, --output Change the name of the output file (default bundle.js) -g, --global An example global flag -c, --config Provide path to custom config (default foo.config.js) -h, --help Displays this message Examples $ my-cli build src build --global --config my-conf.js $ my-cli build app public -o main.js ``` ## Tips - **Define your global/program-wide version, options, description, and/or examples first.**
_Once you define a Command, you can't access the global-scope again._ - **Define all commands & options in the order that you want them to appear.**
_Sade will not mutate or sort your CLI for you. Global options print before local options._ - **Required arguments without values will error & exit**
_An `Insufficient arguments!` error will be displayed along with a help prompt._ - **Don't worry about manually displaying help~!**
_Your help text is displayed automatically... including command-specific help text!_ - **Automatic default/basic patterns**
_Usage text will always append `[options]` & `--help` and `--version` are done for you._ - **Only define what you want to display!**
_Help text sections (example, options, etc) will only display if you provide values._ ## Subcommands Subcommands are defined & parsed like any other command! When defining their [`usage`](#usage-1), everything up until the first argument (`[foo]` or ``) is interpreted as the command string. They should be defined in the order that you want them to appear in your general `--help` output. Lastly, it is _not_ necessary to define the subcommand's "base" as an additional command. However, if you choose to do so, it's recommended that you define it first for better visibility. ```js const prog = sade('git'); // Not necessary for subcommands to work, but it's here anyway! prog .command('remote') .describe('Manage set of tracked repositories') .action(opts => { console.log('~> Print current remotes...'); }); prog .command('remote add ', 'Demo...') .action((name, url, opts) => { console.log(`~> Adding a new remote (${name}) to ${url}`); }); prog .command('remote rename ', 'Demo...') .action((old, nxt, opts) => { console.log(`~> Renaming from ${old} to ${nxt}~!`); }); ``` ## Single Command Mode In certain circumstances, you may only need `sade` for a single-command CLI application. > **Note:** Until `v1.6.0`, this made for an awkward pairing. To enable this, you may make use of the [`isSingle`](#issingle) argument. Doing so allows you to pass the program's entire [`usage` text](#usage-1) into the `name` argument. With "Single Command Mode" enabled, your entire binary operates as one command. This means that any [`prog.command`](#progcommandusage-desc-opts) calls are disallowed & will instead throw an Error. Of course, you may still define a program version, a description, an example or two, and declare options. You are customizing the program's attributes as a whole.* > * This is true for multi-command applications, too, up until your first `prog.command()` call! ***Example*** Let's reconstruct [`sirv-cli`](https://github.com/lukeed/sirv), which is a single-command application that (optionally) accepts a directory from which to serve files. It also offers a slew of option flags: ```js sade('sirv [dir]', true) .version('1.0.0') .describe('Run a static file server') .example('public -qeim 31536000') .example('--port 8080 --etag') .example('my-app --dev') .option('-D, --dev', 'Enable "dev" mode') .option('-e, --etag', 'Enable "Etag" header') // There are a lot... .option('-H, --host', 'Hostname to bind', 'localhost') .option('-p, --port', 'Port to bind', 5000) .action((dir, opts) => { // Program handler }) .parse(process.argv); ``` When `sirv --help` is run, the generated help text is trimmed, fully aware that there's only one command in this program: ``` Description Run a static file server Usage $ sirv [dir] [options] Options -D, --dev Enable "dev" mode -e, --etag Enable "Etag" header -H, --host Hostname to bind (default localhost) -p, --port Port to bind (default 5000) -v, --version Displays current version -h, --help Displays this message Examples $ sirv public -qeim 31536000 $ sirv --port 8080 --etag $ sirv my-app --dev ``` ## Command Aliases Command aliases are alternative names (aliases) for a command. They are often used as shortcuts or as typo relief! The aliased names do not appear in the general help text.
Instead, they only appear within the Command-specific help text under an "Aliases" section. ***Limitations*** * You cannot assign aliases while in [Single Command Mode](#single-command-mode) * You cannot call [`prog.alias()`](#progaliasnames) before defining any Commands (via `prog.commmand()`) * You, the developer, must keep track of which aliases have already been used and/or exist as Command names ***Example*** Let's reconstruct the `npm install` command as a Sade program: ```js sade('npm') // ... .command('install [package]', 'Install a package', { alias: ['i', 'add', 'isntall'] }) .option('-P, --save-prod', 'Package will appear in your dependencies.') .option('-D, --save-dev', 'Package will appear in your devDependencies.') .option('-O, --save-optional', 'Package will appear in your optionalDependencies') .option('-E, --save-exact', 'Save exact versions instead of using a semver range operator') // ... ``` When we run `npm --help` we'll see this general help text: ``` Usage $ npm [options] Available Commands install Install a package For more info, run any command with the `--help` flag $ npm install --help Options -v, --version Displays current version -h, --help Displays this message ``` When we run `npm install --help` — ***or*** the help flag with any of `install`'s aliases — we'll see this command-specific help text: ``` Description Install a package Usage $ npm install [package] [options] Aliases $ npm i $ npm add $ npm isntall Options -P, --save-prod Package will appear in your dependencies. -D, --save-dev Package will appear in your devDependencies. -O, --save-optional Package will appear in your optionalDependencies -E, --save-exact Save exact versions instead of using a semver range operator -h, --help Displays this message ``` ## API ### sade(name, isSingle) Returns: `Program` Returns your chainable Sade instance, aka your `Program`. #### name Type: `String`
Required: `true` The name of your `Program` / binary application. #### isSingle Type: `Boolean`
Default: `name.includes(' ');` If your `Program` is meant to have ***only one command***.
When `true`, this simplifies your generated `--help` output such that: * the "root-level help" is your _only_ help text * the "root-level help" does not display an `Available Commands` section * the "root-level help" does not inject `$ name ` into the `Usage` section * the "root-level help" does not display `For more info, run any command with the `--help` flag` text You may customize the `Usage` of your command by modifying the `name` argument directly.
Please read [Single Command Mode](#single-command-mode) for an example and more information. > **Important:** Whenever `name` includes a custom usage, then `isSingle` is automatically assumed and enforced! ### prog.command(usage, desc, opts) Create a new Command for your Program. This changes the current state of your Program. All configuration methods (`prog.describe`, `prog.action`, etc) will apply to this Command until another Command has been created! #### usage Type: `String` The usage pattern for your current Command. This will be included in the general or command-specific `--help` output. _Required_ arguments are wrapped with `<` and `>` characters; for example, `` and ``. _Optional_ arguments are wrapped with `[` and `]` characters; for example, `[foo]` and `[bar]`. All arguments are ***positionally important***, which means they are passed to your current Command's [`handler`](#handler) function in the order that they were defined. When optional arguments are defined but don't receive a value, their positionally-equivalent function parameter will be `undefined`. > **Important:** You **must** define & expect required arguments _before_ optional arguments! ```js sade('foo') .command('greet ') .action((adjective, noun, opts) => { console.log(`Hello, ${adjective} ${noun}!`); }) .command('drive [color] [speed]') .action((vehicle, color, speed, opts) => { let arr = ['Driving my']; arr.push(color ? `${color} ${vehicle}` : vehicle); speed && arr.push(`at ${speed}`); opts.yolo && arr.push('...YOLO!!'); let str = arr.join(' '); console.log(str); }); ``` ```sh $ foo greet beautiful person # //=> Hello, beautiful person! $ foo drive car # //=> Driving my car $ foo drive car red # //=> Driving my red card $ foo drive car blue 100mph --yolo # //=> Driving my blue car at 100mph ...YOLO!! ``` #### desc Type: `String`
Default: `''` The Command's description. The value is passed directly to [`prog.describe`](#progdescribetext). #### opts Type: `Object`
Default: `{}` ##### opts.alias Type: `String|Array` Optionally define one or more aliases for the current Command.
When declared, the `opts.alias` value is passed _directly_ to the [`prog.alias`](#progaliasnames) method. ```js // Program A is equivalent to Program B // --- const A = sade('bin') .command('build', 'My build command', { alias: 'b' }) .command('watch', 'My watch command', { alias: ['w', 'dev'] }); const B = sade('bin') .command('build', 'My build command').alias('b') .command('watch', 'My watch command').alias('w', 'dev'); ``` ##### opts.default Type: `Boolean` Manually set/force the current Command to be the Program's default command. This ensures that the current Command will run if no command was specified. > **Important:** If you run your Program without a Command _and_ without specifying a default command, your Program will exit with a `No command specified` error. ```js const prog = sade('greet'); prog.command('hello'); //=> only runs if :: `$ greet hello` // $ greet //=> error: No command specified. prog.command('howdy', '', { default:true }); //=> runs as `$ greet` OR `$ greet howdy` // $ greet //=> runs 'howdy' handler // $ greet foobar //=> error: Invalid command ``` ### prog.describe(text) Add a description to the current Command. #### text Type: `String|Array` The description text for the current Command. This will be included in the general or command-specific `--help` output. Internally, your description will be separated into an `Array` of sentences. For general `--help` output, ***only*** the first sentence will be displayed. However, **all sentences** will be printed for command-specific `--help` text. > **Note:** Pass an `Array` if you don't want internal assumptions. However, the first item is _always_ displayed in general help, so it's recommended to keep it short. ### prog.alias(...names) Define one or more aliases for the current Command. > **Important:** An error will be thrown if:
1) the program is in [Single Command Mode](#single-command-mode); or
2) `prog.alias` is called before any `prog.command`. #### names Type: `String` The list of alternative names (aliases) for the current Command.
For example, you may want to define shortcuts and/or common typos for the Command's full name. > **Important:** Sade _does not_ check if the incoming `names` are already in use by other Commands or their aliases.
During conflicts, the Command with the same `name` is given priority, otherwise the first Command (according to Program order) with `name` as an alias is chosen. The `prog.alias()` is append-only, so calling it multiple times within a Command context will _keep_ all aliases, including those initially passed via [`opts.alias`](#optsdefault). ```js sade('bin') .command('hello ', 'Greet someone by their name', { alias: ['hey', 'yo'] }) .alias('hi', 'howdy') .alias('hola', 'oi'); //=> hello aliases: hey, yo, hi, howdy, hola, oi ``` ### prog.action(handler) Attach a callback to the current Command. #### handler Type: `Function` The function to run when the current Command is executed. Its parameters are based (positionally) on your Command's [`usage`](#usage-1) definition. All options, flags, and extra/unknown values are included as the last parameter. > **Note:** Optional arguments are also passed as parameters & may be `undefined`! ```js sade('foo') .command('cp ') .option('-f, --force', 'Overwrite without confirmation') .option('-c, --clone-dir', 'Copy files to additional directory') .option('-v, --verbose', 'Enable verbose output') .action((src, dest, opts) => { console.log(`Copying files from ${src} --> ${dest}`); opts.c && console.log(`ALSO copying files from ${src} --> ${opts['clone-dir']}`); console.log('My options:', opts); }) // $ foo cp original my-copy -v //=> Copying files from original --> my-copy //=> My options: { _:[], v:true, verbose:true } // $ foo cp original my-copy --clone-dir my-backup //=> Copying files from original --> my-copy //=> ALSO copying files from original --> my-backup //=> My options: { _:[], c:'my-backup', 'clone-dir':'my-backup' } ``` ### prog.example(str) Add an example for the current Command. #### str Type: `String` The example string to add. This will be included in the general or command-specific `--help` output. > **Note:** Your example's `str` will be prefixed with your Program's [`name`](#sadename). ### prog.option(flags, desc, value) Add an Option to the current Command. #### flags Type: `String` The Option's flags, which may optionally include an alias. You may use a comma (`,`) or a space (` `) to separate the flags. > **Note:** The short & long flags can be declared in any order. However, the alias will always be displayed first. > **Important:** If using hyphenated flag names, they will be accessible **as declared** within your [`action()`](#progactionhandler) handler! ```js prog.option('--global'); // no alias prog.option('-g, --global'); // alias first, comma prog.option('--global -g'); // alias last, space // etc... ``` #### desc Type: `String` The description for the Option. #### value Type: `String` The **default** value for the Option. Flags and aliases, if parsed, are `true` by default. See [`mri`](https://github.com/lukeed/mri#minimist) for more info. > **Note:** You probably only want to define a default `value` if you're expecting a `String` or `Number` value type. If you _do_ pass a `String` or `Number` value type, your flag value will be casted to the same type. See [`mri#options.default`](https://github.com/lukeed/mri#optionsdefault) for info~! ### prog.version(str) The `--version` and `-v` flags will automatically output the Program version. #### str Type: `String`
Default: `0.0.0` The new version number for your Program. > **Note:** Your Program `version` is `0.0.0` until you change it. ### prog.parse(arr, opts) Parse a set of CLI arguments. #### arr Type: `Array` Your Program's `process.argv` input. > **Important:** Do not `.slice(2)`! Doing so will break parsing~! #### opts Type: `Object`
Default: `{}` Additional `process.argv` parsing config. See [`mri`'s options](https://github.com/lukeed/mri#mriargs-options) for details. > **Important:** These values _override_ any internal values! ```js prog .command('hello') .option('-f, --force', 'My flag'); //=> currently has alias pair: f <--> force prog.parse(process.argv, { alias: { f: ['foo', 'fizz'] }, default: { abc: 123 } }); //=> ADDS alias pair: f <--> foo //=> REMOVES alias pair: f <--> force //=> ADDS alias pair: f <--> fizz //=> ADDS default: abc -> 123 (number) ``` #### opts.unknown Type: `Function`
Default: `undefined` Callback to run when an unspecified option flag has been found. This is [passed directly to `mri`](https://github.com/lukeed/mri#optionsunknown). Your handler will receive the unknown flag (string) as its only argument.
You may return a string, which will be used as a custom error message. Otherwise, a default message is displayed. ```js sade('sirv') .command('start [dir]') .parse(process.argv, { unknown: arg => `Custom error message: ${arg}` }); /* $ sirv start --foobar ERROR Custom error message: --foobar Run `$ sirv --help` for more info. */ ``` #### opts.lazy Type: `Boolean`
Default: `false` If true, Sade will not immediately execute the `action` handler. Instead, `parse()` will return an object of `{ name, args, handler }` shape, wherein the `name` is the command name, `args` is all arguments that _would be_ passed to the action handler, and `handler` is the function itself. From this, you may choose when to run the `handler` function. You also have the option to further modify the `args` for any reason, if needed. ```js let { name, args, handler } = prog.parse(process.argv, { lazy:true }); console.log('> Received command: ', name); // later on... handler.apply(null, args); ``` ### prog.help(cmd) Manually display the help text for a given command. If no command name is provided, the general/global help is printed. Your general and command-specific help text is automatically attached to the `--help` and `-h` flags. > **Note:** You don't have to call this directly! It's automatically run when you `bin --help` #### cmd Type: `String`
Default: `null` The name of the command for which to display help. Otherwise displays the general help. ## License MIT © [Luke Edwards](https://lukeed.com)