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bash-script-template

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Bash Script Template

Generate bash script templates with best practices.

Capabilities

  • Generate robust bash script templates
  • Set up proper error handling
  • Implement argument parsing with getopts
  • Create logging utilities
  • Configure strict mode settings
  • Generate reusable function libraries

Usage

Invoke this skill when you need to:

  • Create new bash scripts with best practices
  • Set up proper error handling patterns
  • Implement argument parsing
  • Create portable shell scripts

Inputs

ParameterTypeRequiredDescription
scriptNamestringYesScript name
descriptionstringYesScript description
argumentsarrayNoScript arguments
functionsarrayNoFunctions to include

Generated Template

#!/usr/bin/env bash
#
# <scriptName> - <description>
#
# Usage: <scriptName> [options] <arguments>
#

set -euo pipefail
IFS=$'\n\t'

# Script directory
readonly SCRIPT_DIR="$(cd "$(dirname "${BASH_SOURCE[0]}")" && pwd)"
readonly SCRIPT_NAME="$(basename "${BASH_SOURCE[0]}")"

# Colors (if terminal supports)
if [[ -t 1 ]]; then
    readonly RED='\033[0;31m'
    readonly GREEN='\033[0;32m'
    readonly YELLOW='\033[0;33m'
    readonly BLUE='\033[0;34m'
    readonly NC='\033[0m'
else
    readonly RED='' GREEN='' YELLOW='' BLUE='' NC=''
fi

# Logging functions
log_info() { echo -e "${BLUE}[INFO]${NC} $*"; }
log_success() { echo -e "${GREEN}[OK]${NC} $*"; }
log_warn() { echo -e "${YELLOW}[WARN]${NC} $*" >&2; }
log_error() { echo -e "${RED}[ERROR]${NC} $*" >&2; }
die() { log_error "$*"; exit 1; }

# Cleanup on exit
cleanup() {
    # Add cleanup tasks here
    :
}
trap cleanup EXIT

# Usage
usage() {
    cat <<EOF
Usage: ${SCRIPT_NAME} [options] <argument>

<description>

Options:
    -h, --help      Show this help message
    -v, --verbose   Enable verbose output
    -d, --dry-run   Show what would be done
    -f, --force     Force operation
    -o, --output    Output file path

Arguments:
    argument        Required argument description

Examples:
    ${SCRIPT_NAME} -v input.txt
    ${SCRIPT_NAME} --output result.txt input.txt
EOF
}

# Parse arguments
parse_args() {
    local OPTIND opt
    while getopts ":hvdfo:-:" opt; do
        case "${opt}" in
            h) usage; exit 0 ;;
            v) VERBOSE=true ;;
            d) DRY_RUN=true ;;
            f) FORCE=true ;;
            o) OUTPUT="${OPTARG}" ;;
            -)
                case "${OPTARG}" in
                    help) usage; exit 0 ;;
                    verbose) VERBOSE=true ;;
                    dry-run) DRY_RUN=true ;;
                    force) FORCE=true ;;
                    output=*) OUTPUT="${OPTARG#*=}" ;;
                    *) die "Unknown option: --${OPTARG}" ;;
                esac
                ;;
            :) die "Option -${OPTARG} requires an argument" ;;
            ?) die "Unknown option: -${OPTARG}" ;;
        esac
    done
    shift $((OPTIND - 1))

    # Required arguments
    if [[ $# -lt 1 ]]; then
        usage
        die "Missing required argument"
    fi

    ARGUMENT="$1"
}

# Defaults
VERBOSE=${VERBOSE:-false}
DRY_RUN=${DRY_RUN:-false}
FORCE=${FORCE:-false}
OUTPUT=${OUTPUT:-}

# Main function
main() {
    parse_args "$@"

    if [[ "${VERBOSE}" == true ]]; then
        log_info "Verbose mode enabled"
    fi

    if [[ "${DRY_RUN}" == true ]]; then
        log_warn "Dry run mode - no changes will be made"
    fi

    log_info "Processing: ${ARGUMENT}"

    # Main logic here

    log_success "Done!"
}

main "$@"

Target Processes

  • shell-script-development
  • cross-platform-cli-compatibility
  • cli-application-bootstrap

Source

git clone https://github.com/a5c-ai/babysitter/blob/main/plugins/babysitter/skills/babysit/process/specializations/cli-mcp-development/skills/bash-script-template/SKILL.mdView on GitHub

Overview

This skill generates robust Bash script templates that enforce strict mode, error handling, and portable practices. It provides built-in argument parsing with getopts, logging utilities, and reusable function scaffolds, helping teams bootstrap reliable, maintainable shell scripts.

How This Skill Works

Provide scriptName, description, arguments, and optional functions. The generator outputs a ready-to-use Bash template starting with a shebang, set -euo pipefail, and IFS, plus color-safe logging and a trap-based cleanup. The template emphasizes portability with /usr/bin/env bash and modular design.

When to Use It

  • When creating a new Bash script that follows best practices
  • When you need robust error handling and strict mode enabled
  • When implementing argument parsing with getopts, including long options
  • When you want built-in logging utilities and user feedback helpers
  • When you need a portable, cross-environment shell script template

Quick Start

  1. Step 1: Provide scriptName, description, and inputs (arguments, functions) to generate the template.
  2. Step 2: Implement the core logic and any reusable functions within the template.
  3. Step 3: Run the script with -h/--help to verify usage, logging, and strict mode behavior.

Best Practices

  • Enable strict mode with set -euo pipefail and a safe IFS.
  • Use getopts for both short and long options and provide a clear usage message.
  • Include logging helpers (log_info, log_warn, log_error) and a die function for failures.
  • Add a cleanup function and trap EXIT to perform graceful shutdowns.
  • Structure the script with a reusable main function and optional library functions

Example Use Cases

  • Bootstrap a backup utility template with verbose and dry-run options.
  • Create a file-processing tool that accepts a verbose flag and an output path.
  • Build a deployment helper that respects a force flag and logs status updates.
  • Develop a cross-platform CLI that works under environments using /usr/bin/env bash.
  • Generate a small utility that prints structured logs and supports --help

Frequently Asked Questions

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