[com2kid]

The only issue with writing a CLI in Node is ecosystem. The CLI libraries for Node are (or were last time I checked) inspired by React. Not a paradigm that is fun to write in, and if I'm making a CLI tool it is because I am bored and want to make something for my own entertainment.

[pjmlp]

Here is an unwanted advice from a old dog, you don't need any libray to write CLIs.

A function to display help, and another old to parse the CLI parameters isn't PhD level coding.

Also nowadays, any LLM friend can quickly generate them.

[com2kid]

Yeah the last CLI app I used was actually a TUI. It routed std out and std err from scripts and programs it'd call out to into separate windows. It had animations and effects and a help system built in. It also had theming support because the library I used for the TUI happened to have that and came with some default themes! It was a bit beyond a simple CLI tool.

If I'm farfing around with the console I'm going to have fun.

[morshu9001]

There are also CLIs actually written in React using Ink

[com2kid]

I'm aware....

That is exactly what I am complaining about.

I guess some people like it, but just, ick.

[morshu9001]

Gemini CLI used it, and I actually hate the layout. Never thought I'd see a CLI manage to waste terminal window space to the point of needing to zoom it out.