| name | hamalert-cli |
| description | Use the hamalert-cli command-line tool to manage HamAlert.org triggers, credentials, backups, restores, imports, bulk deletion, and trigger profiles. Use when a user asks an agent to configure HamAlert credentials, add callsign alerts, import Ham2K PoLo or local callsign files, back up or restore triggers, inspect trigger/profile status, switch profiles, manage permanent triggers, or plan safe hamalert-cli operations. |
HamAlert CLI
Overview
Use this skill to operate hamalert-cli safely on behalf of a user. The CLI talks to the live HamAlert.org account configured on the machine, so treat credential handling and destructive trigger operations carefully.
Start Here
- Determine whether the user wants a read-only check, a dry-run plan, or a live modification.
- Run
scripts/local-check.sh to identify how to invoke the CLI in the current environment.
- Read
references/safety.md before any command that can modify HamAlert state.
- Read the task-specific reference:
- Command syntax:
references/commands.md
- Common workflows:
references/workflows.md
- File and JSON formats:
references/data-formats.md
- Failures and environment issues:
references/troubleshooting.md
Invocation
Prefer an installed binary:
hamalert-cli <command>
When working from this repository and no binary is installed, use:
cargo run -- <command>
For generated help, run scripts/help-snapshot.sh.
Operating Rules
- Never print passwords, ask for passwords in chat, or write secrets into files unless the user explicitly instructs a local config fallback.
- Prefer
auth login --password-stdin or auth login --password-env; avoid --password except when the user explicitly accepts process-history exposure.
- Ask for explicit confirmation before live modifications unless the user already gave clear approval.
- Prefer dry-run flows before live changes. Note that many dry-runs still log in and fetch live data.
- Back up triggers before destructive operations when the command does not already create an auto-backup.
- Do not assume README examples are complete. Check
hamalert-cli <command> --help or scripts/help-snapshot.sh when exact syntax matters.
Quick Tasks
Read references/workflows.md for full recipes. Common starting points:
hamalert-cli auth status
hamalert-cli backup
hamalert-cli add-trigger --callsign W1AW --comment "W1AW spotted" --actions app
hamalert-cli import-file --file callsigns.txt --comment "Local imports" --actions app --dry-run
hamalert-cli profile status
hamalert-cli profile switch portable