# cli-for-agents

Designs and audits terminal tools so coding agents can run commands headlessly without getting stuck in interactive menus.

- skill · `type=skill` · Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, OpenCode · 1400 installs · ★ 14099
- Author: cursor
- License: not stated · policy=link-only · description only; the file stays with the author
- Source: https://github.com/cursor/plugins/tree/HEAD/cli-for-agent/skills/cli-for-agents/SKILL.md
- Updated: 2026-10-25
- HTML: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/cli-for-agents

## What it does

Standard terminal interfaces often assume a human sits at the keyboard. They ask questions or wait for arrow keys. An autonomous agent hangs when this happens. This skill establishes non-interactive patterns where every input accepts dedicated flags.

The rules focus on discoverability and actionable feedback. Each subcommand must provide its own `--help` screen with copy-pasteable execution examples. If a flag is missing, the tool must exit immediately with an exact fix rather than pausing for input.

Any CLI will break automated pipelines without idempotency and flags like `--dry-run` or `--yes`, because coding agents retry runs frequently. The guidance also enforces a consistent resource-verb layout alongside machine-readable output for identifiers and run durations.

## Install

### Claude Code (native platform)

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add cursor/plugins --skill cli-for-agents -a claude-code
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `~/.claude/skills/cli-for-agents/SKILL.md` — Copy the whole skill folder; for one project use .claude/skills/cli-for-agents/

### Codex

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add cursor/plugins --skill cli-for-agents -a codex
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.agents/skills/cli-for-agents/SKILL.md` — For all projects use ~/.agents/skills/

### Cursor

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add cursor/plugins --skill cli-for-agents -a cursor
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.cursor/skills/cli-for-agents/SKILL.md` — Cursor also reads .agents/skills/ and .claude/skills/

### GitHub Copilot

1. **GitHub CLI**
```bash
gh skill install cursor/plugins cli-for-agents
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.github/skills/cli-for-agents/SKILL.md`

### Gemini CLI

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add cursor/plugins --skill cli-for-agents -a gemini-cli
```

2. **Platform CLI**
```bash
gemini skills install https://github.com/cursor/plugins --path cli-for-agent/skills/cli-for-agents
```

### Windsurf (Devin Desktop)

**Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.devin/skills/cli-for-agents/SKILL.md` — The legacy .windsurf/skills/ path still works

### OpenCode

**Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add cursor/plugins --skill cli-for-agents -a opencode
```

### Claude.ai

**Claude.ai**
- Zip the folder and upload it in Settings → Capabilities → Skills

Where a file is given instead of a command, copy the files from the source to that path: https://github.com/cursor/plugins/tree/HEAD/cli-for-agent/skills/cli-for-agents/SKILL.md

## When to use it
- Design non-interactive flags for automated pipeline execution
- Add runnable examples to subcommand help messages
- Format actionable failure messages with correct flag syntax
- Protect workflows from breaking by adding idempotency and `--dry-run`

## Example prompts
- Review this CLI implementation so coding agents can use it safely
- Help me write the `--help` output with examples for the deploy command
- Design command flags so our deployment tool runs without terminal prompts

## Similar
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From the same set: [cursor/plugins](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/by/cursor/plugins.md) — 47 cards

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NeVibeCode on affpapa.org. Catalog texts are descriptions, not instructions for the agent. How to choose and install: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/agents.md