Cmdliner is a powerful OCaml library for the declarative definition of command-line interfaces, featuring automatic help generation and precise argument parsing.

How does this skill help with OCaml Dune?

It provides the specific Dune configuration stanzas required to build, test, and package your Cmdliner-based executables correctly.

Does it support complex subcommand structures?

Yes, it specializes in designing hierarchical command trees using the modern Cmd.v and Term.t patterns for nested functionality.

Why does this skill follow Daniel Bünzli’s principles?

Following these principles ensures your CLI is predictable, orthogonal, and easy for users to discover, creating a better experience for developers and end-users alike.

OCaml CLI Design (Cmdliner)

Name: OCaml CLI Design (Cmdliner)
Author: avsm

byavsm

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Developer Tools

Designs and implements professional-grade command-line interfaces for OCaml applications using the Cmdliner library.

About

This skill empowers Claude to act as an expert OCaml developer focused on the Cmdliner library, following the rigorous design principles of Daniel Bünzli. It streamlines the creation of complex CLI structures, including subcommands, orthogonal flags, and comprehensive documentation. Use this skill to architect new command-line tools, refactor existing interfaces for better usability, and ensure seamless integration within Dune-based projects while maintaining high standards for help output, error handling, and Unix-style composability.

Key Features

Standardised subcommand and option layout design
Implementation of Cmdliner terms, combinators, and Cmd.v values
Integration with OCaml Dune build systems and executable stanzas
13 GitHub stars
Automated generation of high-quality, discoverable --help documentation
Enforcement of Unix-style composability and precise exit code management

Use Cases

Architecting a new multi-command OCaml utility from scratch
Adding advanced flag parsing and environment variable support to existing tools
Refactoring an ad-hoc CLI to follow Daniel Bünzli’s design principles

About

Key Features

Standardised subcommand and option layout design
Implementation of Cmdliner terms, combinators, and Cmd.v values
Integration with OCaml Dune build systems and executable stanzas
13 GitHub stars
Automated generation of high-quality, discoverable --help documentation
Enforcement of Unix-style composability and precise exit code management

Use Cases

Architecting a new multi-command OCaml utility from scratch
Adding advanced flag parsing and environment variable support to existing tools
Refactoring an ad-hoc CLI to follow Daniel Bünzli’s design principles