@ankurhalder/codebase-snapshot 2.2.0 → 4.0.0

package/docs/cli.md

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+# CLI reference
+
+```bash
+npx @ankurhalder/codebase-snapshot <command> [options]
+```
+
+The package installs one executable, **`codebase-snapshot`**, with a short alias **`snap`**.
+Both are the same file. After `npx @ankurhalder/codebase-snapshot generate` the command
+becomes available as `npx codebase-snapshot` for the rest of that session; after
+`npm install -D` use `npx codebase-snapshot` or `npx snap` from the project.
+
+Running with no command is the same as `generate`.
+
+## Contents
+
+- [Commands](#commands)
+  - [`generate`](#generate)
+  - [`validate` / `check`](#validate--check)
+  - [`report`](#report)
+  - [`init`](#init)
+  - [`explain <path>`](#explain-path)
+  - [`diff <before> <after>`](#diff-before-after)
+  - [`describe`](#describe)
+  - [`skill`](#skill)
+- [Options](#options)
+- [Exit codes](#exit-codes)
+- [Output streams](#output-streams)
+- [Examples](#examples)
+
+## Commands
+
+### `generate`
+
+```bash
+codebase-snapshot generate [options]
+```
+
+Scans the repository and writes the snapshot to `outDir` (default `./snapshot`). This is the
+default command, so `codebase-snapshot` alone does the same thing.
+
+Detection is automatic: a preset is chosen from the 25 in the
+[preset table](configuration.md#project-presets), which supplies layers, kinds and ecosystem
+ignores. The preset's *recommended* part budget is not applied by `generate` — that runs on
+`--max-part-bytes` (default 307200) or your config. `init` is what writes the recommended
+budget into a fresh config, so a project set up with `init` gets the preset's figure.
+
+Exit `0` when the snapshot passes its own integrity check, `1` when it does not.
+
+```
+📸 Generating snapshot for: /path/to/repo
+   Branch: main | Part budget: 300 KB
+
+✅ Snapshot generated in 0.14s:
+   - Tracked files: 128
+   - Total lines:   9,431
+   - Total size:    0.41 MB
+   - Parts written: 3 under snapshot/parts/
+   - Reports:       snapshot/reports/ (project-tree, navigation, audit)
+   - Manifest:      snapshot/manifest.json
+   - Fingerprint:   e4607b570268c8def0911babbace97e4a0196d9eaf2cac22c8847500883d70aa
+   - Integrity:     passed
+```
+
+The fingerprint is printed in full — all 64 hex characters, never elided — and it matches
+`manifest.fingerprint`.
+
+The summary only lists artifacts that were actually written, so a run with
+`--only-artifacts parts` does not claim a manifest exists.
+
+### `validate` / `check`
+
+```bash
+codebase-snapshot validate [options]
+```
+
+Compares the snapshot on disk with the repository. Reports five classes of drift — modified
+files, deleted files, files added since the snapshot, damaged or missing parts, and config
+changes — plus bookkeeping mismatches in the manifest.
+
+Exit `0` when the snapshot is current, `1` on any drift. It never writes anything.
+
+### `report`
+
+```bash
+codebase-snapshot report [options]
+```
+
+Prints snapshot health without re-scanning everything: counts, layer breakdown, warnings,
+and the validation verdict. Requires an existing `manifest.json` (exit `1` if missing). Also
+exits `1` when it detects drift.
+
+### `init`
+
+```bash
+codebase-snapshot init [options]
+```
+
+Detects the project and writes `snapshot.config.ts` (or `.mjs`, see below) containing
+**every** setting at its current value, commented and grouped. It is a reference you can
+keep, not just a diff.
+
+It also has two side effects on files you own, and it says so when it does them:
+
+```
+✅ Created snapshot.config.ts (preset: node-lib)
+   Added npm scripts: snapshot, snapshot:validate
+   Added to .gitignore: snapshot/, snapshot.tmp/
+```
+
+- `scripts.snapshot` and `scripts.snapshot:validate` are added to `package.json` if those keys
+  are absent. Existing values are left alone, and the file is rewritten as 2-space JSON.
+  Without a `package.json` it notes that scripts were not added.
+- `snapshot/` and `snapshot.tmp/` are appended to `.gitignore` if they are not already listed;
+  the file is created if missing, and entries already present are not duplicated.
+
+Nothing else in the repository is touched.
+
+Interactive by default; with `--yes` it accepts every default and never prompts, which is
+what agents and release checks should use.
+
+The filename adapts to the project: `.ts` only when the running Node can strip types
+(≥ 22.6) **and** the project is an ES module; otherwise `.mjs`, which loads everywhere. The
+generated file is a plain object with no imports, so it works even when the package is only
+run through `npx` and never installed.
+
+Related options: `--preset`, `--include`, `--exclude`, `--yes`, `--minimal` and `--force`
+apply to `init` only. `init` also accepts `--dry-run`, `--max-part-bytes`, `--out-dir`,
+`--include-sensitive-files`, `--skip-artifacts` and `--only-artifacts`, which it shares with
+the commands that re-read a snapshot, and records their effect in the generated file. The
+`Applies to` column is in the [options table](#options).
+
+### `explain <path>`
+
+```bash
+codebase-snapshot explain src/server.ts
+```
+
+Answers "what would happen to this file?" — layer, kind, language, size, which part it lands
+in, and the exact reason if it is skipped (`sensitive-file`, `binary`, `default-ignore`,
+`excluded`, and the other reasons in [Troubleshooting](troubleshooting.md#a-file-is-missing-from-the-snapshot)).
+
+Exit `0` whenever the path could be inspected, whether or not it would be included — the
+answer is in the output. Exit `1` only when the command itself could not run.
+
+This is the fastest way to debug a file that is unexpectedly missing from a snapshot.
+
+With `--format json` the same answer is one object on stdout, with only the keys that apply:
+
+```json
+{
+  "path": "src/math.ts",
+  "exists": true,
+  "included": true,
+  "layer": "src",
+  "kind": "other",
+  "language": "typescript",
+  "layerMatch": "function (custom predicate)",
+  "bytes": 63,
+  "lines": 3,
+  "secretCount": 0,
+  "secrets": [],
+  "part": "part-001.md",
+  "inclusionMode": "full"
+}
+```
+
+| Key | Meaning |
+| :--- | :--- |
+| `path` | The path you asked about, relative to `--cwd` and with POSIX separators. |
+| `exists` | Whether anything is on disk at that path. |
+| `included` | Whether the scanner would include it in the next snapshot. |
+| `reason`, `detail` | Why not, when `included` is `false`. The same strings `manifest.skipped[]` uses, plus `missing` and `not-discovered`. |
+| `layer`, `kind`, `language` | The classification, present only when `included` is `true`. |
+| `layerMatch`, `kindMatch` | Which rule chose the layer or kind. A glob is printed as written (`src/api/**`); a `RegExp` as its literal form (`/\.tsx$/i`); a function matcher, which is what the presets use, as `function (custom predicate)`. Absent when no rule matched and the `other` fallback was used. |
+| `bytes`, `lines` | Size of the file on disk. |
+| `secretCount`, `secrets` | How many secret rules fire, and the first 20 as `{ rule, line }` — never the matched text. |
+| `part` | The part filename from the last written manifest, or `null` when it is not in that snapshot. |
+| `inclusionMode` | `full` or `preview`, when a part entry exists. |
+
+When `included` is `false` the object stops after `path`, `exists`, `included`, `reason` and
+`detail`.
+
+### `diff <before> <after>`
+
+```bash
+codebase-snapshot diff ./snapshot-old ./snapshot
+codebase-snapshot diff ./a/manifest.json ./b/manifest.json
+```
+
+Compares two snapshots and lists added, removed and changed files. Either argument may be a
+snapshot directory or a `manifest.json`. Useful in review: "what changed in the context we
+hand to the model?"
+
+### `describe`
+
+```bash
+codebase-snapshot describe              # human-readable
+codebase-snapshot describe --format json # machine-readable contract
+```
+
+Prints the tool's complete contract: the supported invocation, an ordered workflow, every
+command, every option with its default, the exit-code meanings, all presets, the artifact
+list, config filenames, output layout, safety rules and a troubleshooting table. The JSON
+form is what an agent should read instead of `--help`. See [Using this with an AI
+agent](agent.md).
+
+### `skill`
+
+```bash
+codebase-snapshot skill                     # print on stdout
+codebase-snapshot skill --install           # write every location
+codebase-snapshot skill --install --target claude
+```
+
+Prints or installs the bundled agent skill. Installation writes an `AGENTS.md` section,
+`.claude/skills/codebase-snapshot/SKILL.md` and `.cursor/rules/codebase-snapshot.mdc`;
+`--target` limits it to one. Re-running replaces only its own marked block, so an existing
+`AGENTS.md` keeps its content. `--format json` reports what was created, updated or
+unchanged.
+
+Printing goes to **stdout** so it can be redirected: `codebase-snapshot skill > SKILL.md`.
+
+## Options
+
+An option a command does not accept is **rejected**, not ignored: exit `2` and a message
+naming the commands that do accept it. Options marked *init only* or *skill only* are the
+narrowest cases of the same rule.
+
+| Option | Type | Default | Applies to | Meaning |
+| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
+| `--cwd <path>` | path | current directory | generate, validate, report, explain, init, skill | Repository to operate on. Must exist and be a directory. `diff` and `describe` take no `--cwd`. |
+| `--out-dir <path>` | path | `snapshot` | generate, validate, report, explain, init | Where the snapshot is written or read. May be absolute. |
+| `--max-part-bytes <n>` | size | `307200` (300 KB) | generate, validate, report, explain, init | Hard ceiling per markdown part. Accepts `120k`, `1.5mb`. Minimum 4096. |
+| `--large-file-bytes <n>` | size | `204800` (200 KB) | generate, validate, report, explain | Above this, a file becomes a head/tail preview. |
+| `--max-monolith-bytes <n>` | size | unset | generate, validate, report, explain | Skip the single-file monolith when it would exceed this. |
+| `--include-monolith` | flag | off | generate, validate, report, explain | Also write `full-codebase.json` and `full-codebase.md`. |
+| `--include-sensitive-files` | flag | off | generate, validate, report, explain, init | Emit `.env`, `*.pem`, `.npmrc` and similar. Off by default; they are reported as skipped. |
+| `--skip-artifacts <names>` | list | unset | generate, validate, report, explain, init | Comma-separated artifacts to omit. |
+| `--only-artifacts <names>` | list | unset | generate, validate, report, explain, init | Write only these. Cannot be combined with `--skip-artifacts`. |
+| `--format <text\|json>` | enum | `text` | every command | `json` writes a pure JSON payload to stdout. |
+| `--dry-run` | flag | off | generate, init | Compute everything, print it, write nothing. |
+| `--watch` | flag | off | generate | Regenerate on every change until interrupted. |
+| `--no-config` | flag | off | generate, validate, report, explain | Ignore every `snapshot.config.*` file and run on the built-in defaults. |
+| `--preset <name>` | name | detected | *init only* | Force a preset instead of detecting one. |
+| `--include <globs>` | list | unset | *init only* | Allow-list recorded in the generated config. |
+| `--exclude <globs>` | list | unset | *init only* | Exclude globs recorded in the generated config. |
+| `--yes` | flag | off | *init only* | Never prompt; accept every default. |
+| `--minimal` | flag | off | *init only* | Write only settings that differ from the defaults. |
+| `--force` | flag | off | *init only* | Overwrite an existing config. |
+| `--install` | flag | off | *skill only* | Write the skill into the repository instead of printing it. |
+| `--target <name>` | enum | `all` | *skill only* | `claude`, `agents`, `cursor` or `all`. |
+| `-h`, `--help` | flag | — | every command | Print usage. |
+| `-v`, `--version` | flag | — | every command | Print the version on stdout: a bare `v`-prefixed semver such as `v4.0.0`, with no package name. |
+
+The artifact and size options apply to `validate`, `report` and `explain` as well as
+`generate` because those commands re-read the snapshot: pass the selection you generated
+with and the comparison is like for like. `validate --skip-artifacts parts` on a snapshot
+built without parts therefore agrees, while the same flag on a full snapshot reports a
+config mismatch.
+
+Every option also accepts the `--option=value` form. That form is required for negative
+numbers, which otherwise look like flags.
+
+## Exit codes
+
+| Code | Meaning |
+| :--- | :--- |
+| `0` | Success. For `validate`/`check`, no drift. |
+| `1` | Drift detected, generation refused or failed (nothing was written), or the state the command needed was not there. |
+| `2` | Usage error: unknown flag or command, an option the command does not accept, bad value, wrong argument count. |
+
+`1` covers the cases where the tool did the right thing but the state is not what you wanted
+— drift, a refused output directory, an unparseable config. `2` means the command itself was
+wrong and retrying it unchanged will fail the same way.
+
+## Output streams
+
+- **stdout** carries the payload. With `--format json` it is pure JSON, safe to pipe into
+  `jq` or `JSON.parse`.
+- **stderr** carries progress, the human summary, warnings and errors.
+
+So `codebase-snapshot describe --format json > contract.json` and
+`codebase-snapshot validate --format json | jq .drift` both work.
+
+## Examples
+
+```bash
+# The common path
+npx @ankurhalder/codebase-snapshot generate
+
+# A tighter budget for a small model context, in a separate directory
+npx @ankurhalder/codebase-snapshot generate --out-dir .context --max-part-bytes 120k
+
+# Just the code parts, no reports
+npx @ankurhalder/codebase-snapshot generate --only-artifacts parts,manifest
+
+# One file per part, with everything else left alone
+npx @ankurhalder/codebase-snapshot validate
+
+# Why is this file missing?
+npx @ankurhalder/codebase-snapshot explain src/generated/schema.ts
+
+# What changed between two snapshots?
+npx @ankurhalder/codebase-snapshot diff old-snapshot snapshot
+
+# Non-interactive setup, then a JSON dry run to inspect the result
+npx @ankurhalder/codebase-snapshot init --yes
+npx @ankurhalder/codebase-snapshot generate --dry-run --format json | jq .config
+
+# Keep the snapshot fresh while editing
+npx @ankurhalder/codebase-snapshot generate --watch
+
+# Give an agent everything it needs
+npx @ankurhalder/codebase-snapshot skill --install
+```