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# oclif
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oclif (Open CLI Framework) is a comprehensive framework for building command-line interfaces in Node.js and TypeScript. It provides scaffolding, packaging, and distribution tools for creating production-ready CLIs with features like automatic help generation, command validation, argument parsing, and multi-platform distribution.
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## Package Information
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- **Package Name**: oclif
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- **Package Type**: npm
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- **Language**: TypeScript
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- **Installation**: `npm install oclif`
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## Core Imports
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```typescript
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import { run } from "oclif";
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```
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For CommonJS:
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```javascript
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const { run } = require("oclif");
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```
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## Basic Usage
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### CLI Usage
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```bash
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# Generate a new CLI project
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oclif generate my-cli
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# Initialize oclif in existing project
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oclif init
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# Generate README documentation
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oclif readme
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# Create plugin manifest
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oclif manifest
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# Package for distribution
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oclif pack tarballs --targets=linux-x64,darwin-x64
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```
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### Programmatic Usage
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```typescript
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import { run } from "oclif";
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// Execute CLI programmatically
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await run(["help"]);
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await run(["generate", "my-new-cli"]);
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```
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## Architecture
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oclif is built around several key components:
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- **CLI Framework**: Built on top of @oclif/core for command execution and parsing
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- **Code Generation**: Template-based generation of CLI projects, commands, and hooks
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- **Build System**: Cross-platform packaging for tarballs, installers, and distribution packages
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- **Distribution**: S3-based hosting and automatic update mechanisms
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- **Plugin System**: Extensible architecture supporting plugin development and distribution
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## Capabilities
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### Core CLI Management
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Essential commands for creating and managing CLI projects, including project initialization and README generation.
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```typescript { .api }
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// CLI Commands Available:
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// oclif generate [NAME] - Generate new CLI project
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// oclif init - Initialize oclif in existing project  
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// oclif readme - Generate README documentation
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// oclif manifest [PATH] - Create plugin manifest
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```
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[CLI Management](./cli-management.md)
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### Code Generation
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Generate CLI components including commands and hooks using customizable templates.
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```typescript { .api }
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// CLI Commands Available:
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// oclif generate command [NAME] - Add command to CLI
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// oclif generate hook - Add hook to CLI
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```
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[Code Generation](./code-generation.md)
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### Packaging and Distribution
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Package CLIs into distributable formats including tarballs, installers, and platform-specific packages.
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```typescript { .api }
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// CLI Commands Available:
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// oclif pack tarballs - Package into tarballs
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// oclif pack deb - Package for Debian/Ubuntu
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// oclif pack macos - Package for macOS
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// oclif pack win - Package for Windows
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```
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[Packaging](./packaging.md)
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### Upload and Deployment
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Upload packaged CLIs to S3 and manage distribution channels.
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```typescript { .api }
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// CLI Commands Available:
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// oclif upload tarballs - Upload tarballs to S3
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// oclif upload deb - Upload Debian packages to S3
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// oclif upload macos - Upload macOS packages to S3
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// oclif upload win - Upload Windows packages to S3
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// oclif promote - Promote builds to release channel
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```
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[Upload and Deployment](./upload-deployment.md)
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### Legacy Utilities
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Deprecated commands maintained for backwards compatibility.
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```typescript { .api }
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// CLI Commands Available:
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// oclif lock - Copy yarn.lock to oclif.lock (deprecated)
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```
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### Programmatic API
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Direct access to oclif functionality for programmatic usage and custom integrations.
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```typescript { .api }
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function run(argv?: string[], options?: LoadOptions): Promise<void>;
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```
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[Programmatic API](./programmatic-api.md)
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## Types
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```typescript { .api }
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interface LoadOptions {
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  root?: string;
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  channel?: string;
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  development?: boolean;
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}
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```