How does this skill handle macOS and Linux command differences?

It provides abstraction patterns for commands like sed, date, and readlink that behave differently between GNU (Linux) and BSD (macOS) implementations.

Why use #!/usr/bin/env bash instead of #!/bin/bash?

Using env is more portable because it locates the bash executable in the user's PATH rather than assuming it is located in a specific hardcoded system directory.

What is the difference between Bash and POSIX shell scripts?

Bash offers extended features like arrays and double brackets, while POSIX is a universal standard ensuring scripts run on almost any Unix-like system including minimal environments.

Can I use this to lint my scripts for errors?

Yes, it includes ShellCheck-compatible patterns and instructions for disabling specific warnings when intentionally using non-portable features.

Shell Script Portability

Name: Shell Script Portability
Author: TheBushidoCollective

byTheBushidoCollective

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Developer Tools

Ensures shell scripts execute consistently across Linux, macOS, and POSIX-compliant environments.

About

This skill empowers Claude to author robust, cross-platform shell scripts by identifying and resolving compatibility issues between Bash and POSIX standards, as well as differences between GNU and BSD utilities. It provides patterns for environment detection, portable string manipulation, and system-agnostic command execution, ensuring your automation scripts work reliably on any Unix-like system without manual refactoring.

Key Features

ShellCheck-optimized script generation
POSIX and Bash compatibility mapping
Automatic environment and architecture detection patterns
39 GitHub stars
Cross-platform utility normalization (GNU vs. BSD)
Portable file handling and temporary file creation

Use Cases

Converting Bash-specific scripts to POSIX sh for maximum system compatibility
Standardizing dev-ops automation tools across diverse developer workstations
Creating CI/CD scripts that need to run on both Ubuntu and macOS runners

About

Key Features

ShellCheck-optimized script generation
POSIX and Bash compatibility mapping
Automatic environment and architecture detection patterns
39 GitHub stars
Cross-platform utility normalization (GNU vs. BSD)
Portable file handling and temporary file creation

Use Cases

Converting Bash-specific scripts to POSIX sh for maximum system compatibility
Standardizing dev-ops automation tools across diverse developer workstations
Creating CI/CD scripts that need to run on both Ubuntu and macOS runners