touchtree

touchtree is a lightweight command-line utility that converts raw text directory trees—like those generated by the tree command or produced by AI coding assistants—into real, empty file and folder structures on your file system.

Key Features

• Smart Indentation Parsing: Handles standard spaces, tabs, and ASCII/Unicode box-drawing characters (├──, └──, │).
• Paste-Aware Terminal Input: Paste directly into the terminal without accidental termination from mid-tree blank lines.
• Flexible Termination: Supports standard terminal signals (Ctrl+D / Ctrl+Z), explicit sentinels (EOF / END), or a deliberate human Enter keypress.
• Comment Stripping: Inline comments starting with # are automatically removed before creation.
• Safe Dry Runs: Prompts for target directory confirmation before touching the disk.

Quick Start

Installation

pip install touchtree

Example: From AI Prompt to Real Files

1. The Scenario

Suppose an LLM or design spec gives you a desired project structure:

my_awesome_app/
├── src/
│   ├── components/
│   │   ├── Header.py
│   │   └── Sidebar.py   # Main navigation component
│   ├── utils/
│   │   └── helpers.py
│   └── main.py
├── tests/
│   └── test_main.py
├── .gitignore
├── pyproject.toml
└── README.md

2. Execution Options

Option A: Interactive Clipboard Paste (Default)

Run touchtree with no arguments, paste the text block, and press [ENTER] on a blank line (or press Ctrl+D / Ctrl+Z):

touchtree

Terminal Walkthrough:

No input file provided. Entering interactive mode.
--> Paste your tree text below.
--> To finish, press [ENTER] on a blank line, type 'EOF', or press [Ctrl+D] / [Ctrl+Z].
--------------------------------------------------
my_awesome_app/
├── src/
│   ├── components/
│   │   ├── Header.py
│   │   └── Sidebar.py   # Main navigation component
│   ├── utils/
│   │   └── helpers.py
│   └── main.py
├── tests/
│   └── test_main.py
├── .gitignore
├── pyproject.toml
└── README.md

WARNING: About to generate file structure inside: /path/to/current/dir
Are you sure you want to proceed? (y/N): y
Creating empty replica structure inside: /path/to/current/dir
Structure successfully created.

Option B: Read From a Saved Text File

If you have saved your structure diagram into layout.txt:

touchtree -i layout.txt

Option C: Target a Specific Directory with Auto-Confirm

Create the structure inside a targeted directory (./output) without confirmation prompts:

touchtree -i layout.txt -o ./output -y

Generated Disk Result

Running the command creates the complete nested folder and file hierarchy:

my_awesome_app/
├── .gitignore
├── README.md
├── pyproject.toml
├── src/
│   ├── components/
│   │   ├── Header.py
│   │   └── Sidebar.py
│   ├── main.py
│   └── utils/
│       └── helpers.py
└── tests/
    └── test_main.py

• Folders are identified by trailing slashes / or names lacking extension dots.
• Files with extensions or explicit hidden file dots (.gitignore) are instantiated cleanly via empty touch() operations.
• Comments (like # Main navigation component) are stripped away during generation.

CLI Options Reference

License

This project is dual-licensed under the MIT License for both code and documentation.