cli-tmux

cli-tmux skill: run & test the CLI using tmux

Use this skill when

• The user asks to test the CLI end-to-end and it is interactive (TUI prompts, key navigation).
• A command needs a real TTY or long-running process (dev server) that should keep running while we do other tasks.

Golden rules

1. Prefer scripts/tmuxctl.sh over raw tmux commands for repeatability.
2. Use an isolated tmux server socket so we don't interfere with the user's real tmux sessions.
3. Use a predictable session name: agent-cli.
4. Always capture pane output after each interaction and summarize it before proceeding.
5. Always clean up: stop the TUI and kill the session at the end (unless the user wants it left running).

tmuxctl.sh wrapper (preferred)

Prefer scripts/tmuxctl.sh over raw tmux commands for repeatability:

• scripts/tmuxctl.sh start - Create new tmux session
• scripts/tmuxctl.sh run ./bin/ourcli - Run command in the session
• scripts/tmuxctl.sh keys Down Down C-m - Send keystrokes
• scripts/tmuxctl.sh capture - Capture pane output
• scripts/tmuxctl.sh stop - Stop the TUI (double Ctrl+C)
• scripts/tmuxctl.sh kill - Kill the session

Our CLI/TUI specifics

• To exit the TUI, send double Ctrl+C: C-c then C-c.
• If double Ctrl+C doesn't exit, fallback to killing the tmux pane/session.

Standard tmux setup (isolated socket)

• Socket path: .tmp/tmux-agent.sock
• Session: agent-cli
• Pane target: agent-cli:0.0

Create session (if missing)

• Ensure .tmp/ exists.
• Start detached session in repo root:
  • tmux -S .tmp/tmux-agent.sock new-session -d -s agent-cli -c "$PWD"

Start the CLI

• Send the run command (replace with our real command):
  • Example: ./bin/ourcli OR pnpm ourcli OR go run ./cmd/ourcli
• Use:
  • tmux -S .tmp/tmux-agent.sock send-keys -t agent-cli:0.0 "<COMMAND HERE>" C-m

Interact

• Send keys as needed:
  • Enter: C-m
  • Up/Down: Up / Down
  • Quit: C-c C-c (double)

Capture output (after each step)

• tmux -S .tmp/tmux-agent.sock capture-pane -t agent-cli:0.0 -p

End-to-end CLI test recipe

1. Start session (or reuse if running).
2. Launch CLI command.
3. Capture initial screen and confirm expected prompt/state.
4. Perform the requested flows (send keys + capture after each step).
5. Exit TUI with C-c C-c, capture output to confirm exit.
6. Kill session (unless user asked to keep it).

Cleanup

• Preferred:
  • Send C-c C-c, then tmux ... kill-session -t agent-cli
• If tmux is wedged:
  • tmux -S .tmp/tmux-agent.sock kill-server