manage-pantry

Manage Pantry

Overview

Track what's in your kitchen using CookCLI's pantry features:

• Maintain inventory in pantry.conf
• Track expiration dates
• Find items running low
• Discover recipes you can make with what you have

Use this skill when:

• Setting up pantry tracking
• Checking what's about to expire
• Deciding what to cook based on available ingredients
• Updating inventory after shopping or cooking

Process

Step 1: Set Up Pantry File

Create or update config/pantry.conf:

[pantry]
flour = "2%kg"
sugar = "1%kg"
rice = "500%g"

[fridge]
milk = { quantity = "1%L", expire = "2026-01-28" }
eggs = "12"
butter = "250%g"

[freezer]
chicken breast = "1%kg"
frozen peas = "500%g"

Step 2: Check Status

Find depleted items:

cook pantry depleted

Find expiring items:

cook pantry expiring --days 7

Step 3: Find Recipes

What can I make now?

cook pantry recipes

Shows recipes where you have all (or most) ingredients.

Step 4: Update After Cooking

When you cook a recipe, update quantities:

• Subtract used ingredients
• Note items that are now low

Step 5: Update After Shopping

Add newly purchased items with quantities and expiration dates.

Examples

User: "Set up pantry tracking"

Created config/pantry.conf:

# Kitchen Inventory
# Update quantities after shopping and cooking

[pantry]
# Dry goods - no expiration needed
flour = "2%kg"
sugar = "1%kg"
rice = "1%kg"
pasta = "500%g"
olive oil = "500%ml"
soy sauce = "200%ml"
salt = "500%g"
black pepper = "100%g"

[fridge]
# Fresh items - track expiration
milk = { quantity = "1%L", expire = "2026-01-28" }
eggs = { quantity = "12", expire = "2026-02-05" }
butter = "250%g"
parmesan = { quantity = "200%g", expire = "2026-02-15" }
cream = { quantity = "250%ml", expire = "2026-01-25" }

[freezer]
# Frozen items - longer dates
chicken breast = "1%kg"
ground beef = "500%g"
frozen peas = "500%g"

User: "What's expiring soon?"

Run:

cook pantry expiring --days 7

Output:

Items expiring within 7 days:

URGENT (1-2 days):
- cream: 250ml (expires Jan 25)

THIS WEEK:
- milk: 1L (expires Jan 28)

Suggestion: Use cream in Pasta Carbonara or Mushroom Risotto

User: "What can I make with what I have?"

Run:

cook pantry recipes

Output:

Recipes you can make now:

COMPLETE (have all ingredients):
- Pasta Aglio e Olio
- Fried Rice
- Scrambled Eggs

ALMOST (missing 1-2 items):
- Carbonara (need: pancetta)
- Stir Fry (need: vegetables)
- Pancakes (need: baking powder)

Reference

Pantry.conf Format

[section]
# Simple quantity
ingredient = "quantity%unit"

# With expiration
ingredient = { quantity = "amount%unit", expire = "YYYY-MM-DD" }

# With purchase date and low threshold
ingredient = { quantity = "1%kg", bought = "2026-01-15", low = "100%g" }

Sections: [pantry], [fridge], [freezer], or custom

CookCLI Pantry Commands

# Items that are low or out
cook pantry depleted

# Expiring within N days
cook pantry expiring --days 7
cook pantry expiring --days 3

# Recipes you can make
cook pantry recipes

Inventory Attributes

Attribute	Purpose	Example
quantity	Amount you have	"500%g"
expire	Expiration date	"2026-02-15"
bought	Purchase date	"2026-01-10"
low	Low stock threshold	"100%g"

Maintenance Tips

After shopping:

• Add new items with quantities
• Update expiration dates
• Reset quantities for restocked items

After cooking:

• Subtract used ingredients
• Note items now running low

Weekly:

• Check cook pantry expiring --days 7
• Plan meals around expiring items
• Check cook pantry depleted before shopping