CLI Tool Design Mastery - Expanded Project Guides
Generated from:
CLI_TOOL_DESIGN_MASTERY.mdThis folder contains deep-dive guides for each project in the CLI Tool Design learning path.
Overview
These expanded guides turn each CLI project into a full build plan with theory, architecture, phased implementation, and testing. The goal is to reach the same depth and clarity as the CS:APP expanded projects: you do not just build tools, you learn why they work and how to make them production-grade.
Project Index
| # | Project | Difficulty | Time | Key Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | minigrep-plus | Level 1 | Weekend | CLI basics, streams, TTY |
| 2 | task-nexus | Level 2 | 1 week | Subcommands, config, persistence |
| 3 | init-wizard | Level 2 | 1 week | Interactive UX, prompts, templates |
| 4 | stream-viz | Level 3 | 1 week | Signals, progress, clean exit |
| 5 | env-vault | Level 2 | 1 week | Secrets, hidden input, safe storage |
| 6 | system-monitor-tui | Level 4 | 2 weeks | TUI architecture, rendering |
| 7 | git-insight | Level 2 | Weekend | Composition, subprocess parsing |
| 8 | api-forge | Level 3 | 2 weeks | HTTP, schema-driven generation |
| 9 | plug-master | Level 4 | 1 month | Plugin architecture, IPC |
| 10 | distro-flow | Level 3 | 1 week | Distribution, updates, completion |
Learning Paths
- Beginner Path: P01 -> P02 -> P03
- Systems Path: P01 -> P04 -> P06 -> P09
- Product Path: P03 -> P06 -> P08 -> P10
- Integration Path: P02 -> P05 -> P07 -> P10
Prerequisites
- Comfortable with at least one language (Go, Rust, or Python)
- Familiar with the shell and standard streams
- Basic Git usage
- Able to read error messages and run small test scripts