clack

name	clack
description	Comprehensive guidance for building and debugging JavaScript and TypeScript CLIs with @clack/core and @clack/prompts, backed by bundled upstream source and examples. Use when implementing clack prompt flows, deciding between core primitives and styled prompts, adapting clack examples, or validating clack API usage.

Clack CLI Skill

Use this skill to implement reliable interactive CLIs with @clack/core and @clack/prompts.

Workflow

1. Decide whether to use @clack/prompts or @clack/core.
2. Read only the minimum reference files needed for the task.
3. Start from the closest example in references/examples/.
4. Implement cancellation handling after every prompt.
5. Add UX polish (intro, outro, spinner, progress, tasks, log, taskLog, stream) when useful.
6. Verify imports against export maps in references/docs/prompts-exports.ts and references/docs/core-exports.ts.

Pick the Right Layer

Use @clack/prompts by default.

• Choose it for production-ready styling and quick delivery.
• Use it when the request maps to standard prompt types: text, confirm, select, multiselect, grouped prompts, logs, spinners, progress, tasks, or streaming logs.

Use @clack/core when lower-level control is required.

• Choose it for custom rendering, custom prompt behavior, or unstyled primitives.
• Use it when the request needs direct prompt classes (TextPrompt, , , ) or deep customization.