CLI Tools

CLI Tools Skill

Manage CLI tool installation, environment auditing, and updates.

Capabilities

1. Reactive: Auto-install missing tools on "command not found"
2. Proactive: Audit project dependencies and tool versions
3. Maintenance: Batch update all managed tools

Triggers

Reactive (auto-install):

bash: <tool>: command not found

Proactive (audit): "check environment", "what's missing", "update tools"

Workflows

Missing Tool Resolution

Phase 1: Diagnostic (BEFORE attempting install)

1. Check if tool exists elsewhere:

   which <tool>           # Is it installed but not in PATH?
   command -v <tool>      # Alternative check
   type -a <tool>         # Show all locations
   

2. Why might it be missing?

   • PATH issue: Tool installed but shell can't find it (check ~/.local/bin, /usr/local/bin)
   • Version conflict: Multiple versions installed, wrong one active
   • Shell state: Installed in current session but shell hash table stale (hash -r)
   • Package manager isolation: Installed via pip/npm/cargo but not in global PATH

3. If tool exists but not in PATH:

   # Find the binary
   find /usr -name "<tool>" 2>/dev/null
   find ~/.local -name "<tool>" 2>/dev/null
   
   # Add to PATH temporarily
   export PATH="$PATH:/path/to/tool/directory"
   

Phase 2: Installation

1. Extract tool name from error
2. Lookup in references/binary_to_tool_map.md (e.g., rg → ripgrep)
3. Install: scripts/install_tool.sh <tool> install

Phase 3: Verification (AFTER install)

1. Confirm installation succeeded:

   which <tool>           # Should show path
   <tool> --version       # Should show version
   

2. If "command not found" persists after install:

   hash -r                # Clear shell's command hash
   source ~/.bashrc       # Reload shell configuration
   # Or start a new shell session
   

3. Retry original command

Environment Audit

scripts/check_environment.sh audit .

Scripts

Catalog (74 tools)

Core CLI, Languages, Package Managers, DevOps, Linters, Security, Git Tools

Troubleshooting

PATH Issues

When a tool installs but still shows "command not found":

1. Check where it was installed:

   # Common install locations
   ls -la ~/.local/bin/<tool>
   ls -la ~/.cargo/bin/<tool>
   ls -la ~/.npm-global/bin/<tool>
   ls -la /usr/local/bin/<tool>
   

2. Ensure PATH includes common directories:

   # Add to ~/.bashrc or ~/.zshrc
   export PATH="$HOME/.local/bin:$HOME/.cargo/bin:$PATH"
   

3. Reload shell configuration:

   source ~/.bashrc        # or ~/.zshrc
   hash -r                 # Clear command cache
   exec $SHELL             # Restart shell
   

Installation Blocked (Permission/System Restrictions)

When system prevents normal installation, use these alternatives:

1. Docker (no install required):

   # Run tool in container
   docker run --rm -v "$PWD:/work" -w /work <tool-image> <tool> <args>
   
   # Create alias for convenience
   alias <tool>='docker run --rm -v "$PWD:/work" -w /work <tool-image> <tool>'
   

2. Manual binary download:

   # Download release binary directly
   curl -L <release-url> -o ~/.local/bin/<tool>
   chmod +x ~/.local/bin/<tool>
   

3. Compile from source:

   git clone <repo-url>
   cd <repo>
   make && make install PREFIX=~/.local
   

4. Use package manager with user scope:

   pip install --user <tool>
   npm install -g <tool> --prefix ~/.npm-global
   cargo install <tool>  # Installs to ~/.cargo/bin
   

References

• references/binary_to_tool_map.md - Binary to catalog mapping
• references/project_type_requirements.md - Project type requirements

Contributing: https://github.com/netresearch/cli-tools-skill