CLI

CLI Tools

Lineage of a philosophy: from Bell Labs to everywhere

CLI Tools represent a collection of command-line utilities designed with a philosophy of combining functionality with delight. The approach emphasizes that if you're going to spend significant time in a terminal, the experience should feel engaging rather than purely utilitarian.

Philosophy

Brian Kernighan at Bell Labs - where the Unix philosophy was born

The tools follow the Unix philosophy of doing one thing well, but with added personality and visual design that makes routine tasks more enjoyable. This approach to developer experience (devex) design transforms mundane operations into something that brings joy to daily workflows.

The core principle is functionality first, but never underestimating the power of delight in software design.

This is in the lineage of Appropriate Technology thinking applied to interfaces - the right tool at the right scale, but beautiful.

Featured Tools

Core Development Tools

• git-status-dash: Multi-repository git status dashboard with ASCII visualization capabilities
• directory-sync-tool: Visual directory comparison and syncing interface for file management
• cli-delta-dojo: Interactive JSON comparison tool designed for code review workflows
• cli-ai-chat: IRC-style terminal interface for conversations with Large Language Models
• scrapbook-cli: Command-line interface for exploring personal knowledge graphs
• showtouch: Large-scale ASCII keystroke visualizer for live presentations
• ascii_webcam: Real-time webcam-to-ASCII converter

Technical Approach

Form and function: ASCII as aesthetic

The tools are primarily built using Node.js and leverage ASCII art for visual feedback. They integrate with existing development workflows while adding layers of visual interest and personality.

Each tool addresses specific pain points in developer workflows while maintaining the aesthetic principle that command-line interfaces can be both functional and visually engaging.

Why ASCII?

ASCII visualization:

• Cross-platform - renders everywhere, no GPU required
• Accessible - works in terminals, SSH sessions, minimal environments
• Aesthetic - has visual personality without being heavy
• Instant - renders faster than pixel graphics
• Debuggable - text is inspectable, not opaque binary
• Historical - connects to the lineage of Unix and early computing

This is appropriate technology applied to interface design: use the constraints as creative fuel.

Related Thinking

• Appropriate Technology - why choose CLI over GUI
• Infrastructure Thinking - understanding systems through their interfaces
• Sensemaking Systems - making sense of complexity through visualization
• Dotfiles - customizing your interface as a reflection of your thinking

Influences

The philosophy behind these tools:

• Stewart Brand: Tools as extensions of thought. If you're going to live in an interface, it should fit you and delight you.
• Neal Stephenson: Depth and direct access. Command-line is the interface to actual power, not abstractions.
• Unix Philosophy: Do one thing well. Combine with other tools. Make interfaces text-based so they compose.

Related Content

• The Impact of My LLM-Powered MOTD - Video documentation about building custom daily CLI tools around existing routines
• Neovim - text editor as thinking tool
• Dotfiles - personal configuration as sensemaking