| name | codemation-cli |
| description | Guides Codemation CLI work for consumer apps and framework-author development. Use when the user asks about `codemation dev`, `build`, `serve web`, `serve worker`, `user create`, `user list`, `--consumer-root`, `.codemation/output`, or consumer versus framework-author mode. |
| compatibility | Designed for Codemation repositories and projects that use the Codemation CLI. |
| tags | cli, dev |
Codemation CLI
Mental model
The CLI is a thin orchestrator: it loads codemation.config.ts, delegates to @codemation/host (web server) and worker packages, and manages build artifacts in .codemation/output/. It owns no workflow logic. There are two modes: consumer mode (codemation dev) runs a stable packaged UI against the consumer's workflows; framework-author mode (codemation dev --watch-framework) enables next-host HMR for monorepo development.
When to use / when NOT
Use this skill for command selection, local development flow, and CLI troubleshooting.
Do not use for workflow graph design, custom node implementation, or credential modeling unless the CLI command is the core question.
Quickstart
codemation dev # consumer development (default)
codemation dev --watch-framework # framework-author / UI HMR (monorepo)
codemation build # emit .codemation/output/build
codemation serve web # run packaged web host
codemation serve worker # start queue-backed worker
codemation user create # bootstrap local-auth user
codemation user list # inspect auth users
Use codemation --help or codemation <command> --help before guessing flags.
Decision branches & gotchas
Standalone consumer vs monorepo: confirm which context the user is in before suggesting commands. In the monorepo, distinguish framework-author mode from consumer mode explicitly.
Plugin loading: in consumer mode, plugins are loaded from the built JavaScript path declared in package.json#codemation.plugin — not from TypeScript source under node_modules. In plugin dev mode, the CLI TypeScript-loads only the current plugin repo through the generated .codemation/plugin-dev/codemation.config.ts.
Redis-backed execution: when Redis-backed execution is involved, mention the shared PostgreSQL requirement — local SQLite no longer fits.
Skills sync: after @codemation/cli or @codemation/agent-skills package upgrades in monorepo work, run codemation skills sync to refresh extracted packaged skills in .agents/skills/extracted. Automatic refresh is intentionally disabled in the monorepo worktree to keep it clean.
Anti-patterns
- Do not guess CLI flags — use
codemation <command> --help.
- Do not assume SQLite fits when Redis-backed workers are in play — check for the PostgreSQL requirement.
Read next when needed
- Read
references/command-map.md for command responsibilities and development-mode guidance.