# CLI Tui Design Language

> Design or critique terminal software. Use for CLI command trees, help text, flags, stdout/stderr, prompts, errors, progress, TUI layout, keybindings, search, no-color behavior, and terminal accessibility.

- Skill: `cosgroveb/cli-tui-design-language` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 8 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add cosgroveb/cli-tui-design-language`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/cosgroveb/cli-tui-design-language/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Web & Frontend
- Author: cosgroveb (https://skillmd.com/u/cosgroveb)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/cosgroveb/cli-tui-design-language

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Use this skill when the work is terminal UX, not generic app UX.

- Read [cli-design.md](cli-design.md) for command trees, naming, help, flags, streams, machine modes, prompts, errors, and progress.
- Read [tui-design.md](tui-design.md) for panes, tables, detail views, navigation, keybindings, focus, search, status bars, and empty states.
- Read [accessibility.md](accessibility.md) for keyboard use, focus visibility, contrast, no-color behavior, and terminal-specific accessibility constraints.
- Read [anti-patterns.md](anti-patterns.md) before polishing output. It captures common terminal UX failures.
- Read [examples.md](examples.md) when the design needs concrete help text, output, status, or layout examples.
- Read [commands.md](commands.md) when you need a fast design pass.
- Read [references.md](references.md) when you need to check what is standard-backed, convention-backed, or house style.

Core doctrine:

- Keep CLI and TUI guidance separate when their tradeoffs differ.
- Treat machine-readable output as an explicit contract.
- Put human messaging on `stderr`, primary output on `stdout`.
- Do not depend on color alone for state, focus, or severity.
- Keep focus, selection, and mode visibly distinct.
- Label standards as standards, conventions as conventions, and house style as house style.