# Whatis

> whatis — display one-line manual page descriptions

- Skill: `javimosch/whatis` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add javimosch/whatis`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/javimosch/whatis/raw
- Safety review: PASS (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS)
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: javimosch (https://skillmd.com/u/javimosch)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/javimosch/whatis

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# whatis Plugin

Display one-line manual page descriptions for commands and topics.

## Commands

- `whatis self version` — Print whatis version
- `whatis name lookup <name>` — Display description for a command
- `whatis name lookup-all <name>` — Display all matching descriptions across sections
- `whatis name lookup-section <section> <name>` — Lookup in a specific section
- `whatis _ _ [args]` — Passthrough to whatis

## Usage Examples

- Describe a command: `whatis name lookup ls`
- Check all sections for a name: `whatis name lookup-all printf`
- Lookup in section 3 (C library): `whatis name lookup-section 3 printf`
- Multiple names: `whatis _ _ ls cp mv`

## Installation

Part of man-db, pre-installed on most Linux systems.