gen-cli 1.1.0

A CLI tool to generate boilerplate code and framework templates for multiple programming languages.

Gen-CLI is a Python-based command-line tool for generating boilerplate code and framework templates for multiple programming languages.

Features

• Single-file boilerplate generation for multiple languages
• Project scaffolding using framework templates
• Colorful directory tree visualization
• Environment diagnostics with gen doctor
• Dry-run mode for previewing outputs
• Overwrite support for existing files/directories

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Installation

From Source

git clone https://github.com/iamprasadraju/gen-cli.git
cd gen-cli

# Install for usage
pip install -e .

# Install for development (includes tests, linting tools)
pip install -e .[dev]

Using uv

uv sync

Verify Installation

gen --version

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Quick Start

# Generate a C boilerplate file
gen c

# Generate a Python boilerplate file
gen py

# Generate a Flask project
gen flask

# List available languages and frameworks
gen list

# Show directory tree
gen tree

# Check your environment
gen doctor

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Commands

gen --version / gen -v

Show the installed version of gen-cli.

gen --version
gen -v

Output: gen-cli version 1.0.0

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gen --help / gen -h

Show the help message with all available commands and options.

gen --help
gen -h

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gen list

List all available language templates and framework templates.

gen list

Output:

Available Languages
-------------------
  • .py
  • .c
  • .cpp
  • .go
  • .js
  • .rs
  • .html
  • .java

Available Frameworks
--------------------
  • flask
  • codeforces

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gen doctor

Check your environment and configuration for potential issues.

gen doctor

Output:

Gen CLI Doctor
----------------------------------------
✓ Python Version: 3.13.12
✓ Platform: Darwin 24.0.0
✓ Working Directory: /Users/user/project
✓ PATH directories: 17 found

All checks passed

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gen tree

Display a colorful tree view of your directory structure.

gen tree                    # current directory, depth 2, no hidden
gen tree -a                 # include hidden files/dirs
gen tree -3                 # depth of 3 levels
gen tree -3 src             # depth 3 of specific directory
gen tree -2 -a .            # depth 2, include hidden, current dir

Tree options:

Flag	Description
-N	Set depth (e.g., -2, -3)
-a, --all	Include hidden files/dirs

Colors:

• Bold blue — directories
• Green — regular files
• Dim/gray — hidden files and connectors

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Language Generation

Generate a boilerplate file for a specific language.

gen c           # creates main.c
gen py          # creates main.py
gen js          # creates main.js
gen go          # creates main.go
gen rs          # creates main.rs
gen cpp         # creates main.cpp
gen java        # creates main.java
gen html        # creates main.html

Options:

Flag	Description
--dryrun	Preview the file content without creating it
--overwrite	Overwrite existing file

Examples:

gen c --dryrun              # preview main.c content
gen py --overwrite          # overwrite main.py if exists
gen js --dryrun --overwrite # dry run (overwrite ignored)

When file already exists:

gen c
main.c already exists
Use --overwrite to replace: gen c --overwrite

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Framework Generation

Generate a full project from a framework template.

gen flask                   # prompts for project name
gen flask myapp             # creates myapp/ directly
gen codeforces              # prompts for project name
gen codeforces solutions    # creates solutions/ directly

Options:

Flag	Description
--dryrun	Preview project structure without creating
--overwrite	Remove existing directory and regenerate

Examples:

gen flask --dryrun          # preview flask project tree
gen flask myapp --dryrun    # preview tree for 'myapp'
gen flask myapp --overwrite # overwrite myapp/ if exists

When directory already exists:

gen flask myapp
Directory 'myapp' already exists
Use --overwrite to replace: gen flask myapp --overwrite

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Supported Languages

Command	Output File
gen c	main.c
gen py	main.py
gen js	main.js
gen go	main.go
gen rs	main.rs
gen cpp	main.cpp
gen java	main.java
gen html	main.html

Supported Frameworks

Command	Description
gen flask	Flask web application
gen codeforces	Codeforces competitive programming setup

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Error Handling

Gen-CLI provides clear error messages for common issues:

# Unknown command
gen xyz
→ Unknown command: xyz
  Usage: gen [list|doctor|tree|<lang>|<framework>] [-v|--version] [-h|--help]

# Unknown flag
gen c --invalid
→ Unknown flag: --invalid
  Usage: gen [list|doctor|<lang>|<framework>] [-v|--version] [-h|--help]

# Invalid tree depth format
gen tree 3
→ Invalid depth format: '3'
  Use '-' prefix for depth, e.g., 'gen tree -3' or 'gen tree -3 src'

# Path not found
gen tree nonexistent
→ Path not found: nonexistent

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Development

Setup

uv sync --all-extras

Running Tests

# Run all tests
uv run pytest tests -v

# Run specific test file
uv run pytest tests/test_cli.py -v

Running from Source

uv run gen <command>

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Project Structure

gen-cli/
├── src/
│   └── gen/
│       ├── __init__.py
│       ├── cli.py              # Main CLI entry point
│       ├── paths.py            # Template path resolution
│       ├── commands/
│       │   ├── __init__.py
│       │   ├── doctor.py       # Environment diagnostics
│       │   ├── helper.py       # Help messages
│       │   ├── list_.py        # Template listing & tree view
│       │   └── template.py     # Template generation helpers
│       ├── core/
│       │   ├── __init__.py
│       │   └── render.py       # Jinja2 template rendering
│       └── templates/          # Built-in templates
│           ├── lang/           # Language boilerplate files
│           └── frameworks/     # Framework project templates
├── tests/
│   └── test_*.py               # Unit tests
├── pyproject.toml
└── README.md

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License

MIT License

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Author

Prasad Raju G