ibmcloud-cli

name	ibmcloud-cli
description	Use this skill to learn hot to use the IBM Cloud CLI (`ibmcloud`) commands, flags, command patterns, or troubleshooting guidance. Covers core CLI workflows: install/verify/update, login with SSO or API keys, select account/region/resource group targets, inspect and configure CLI output, manage plug-ins (e.g. `vpc-infrastructure` / `ibmcloud is ...` for VPC infrastructure.).
metadata	{"enabled":true,"author":"IBM (adapted)","version":"1.2.0"}

IBM Cloud CLI (ibmcloud)

Command-focused router skill for senior engineers. Keep this file lightweight; load companion .md files for specific command families.

Source scope:

• https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/cli?topic=cli-getting-started
• https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/cli?topic=cli-ibmcloud_cli
• https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/cli?topic=cli-plug-ins
• https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/cli?topic=cli-ibmcloud_commands_settings
• https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/iam?interface=ui&topic=iam-federated_id
• https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/cloud-shell?topic=cloud-shell-getting-started
• https://cloud.ibm.com/media/docs/downloads/IBM%20Cloud%20CLI%20quick%20reference.pdf
• https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/vpc?topic=vpc-vpc-reference

Do not add service-specific command catalogs here. Add/maintain a focused companion .md file instead.

---

Critical defaults

ibmcloud help
ibmcloud version
ibmcloud api
ibmcloud target
ibmcloud plugin list

Rules:

• Verify ibmcloud target before create/update/delete.
• Use ibmcloud login --sso for federated humans.
• Use ibmcloud login --apikey @key_file_name for automation.
• Use --output json / --output JSON for scripting when supported.
• Do not use -f / --force unless explicitly requested.
• Use exact command help instead of guessing flags: ibmcloud COMMAND -h.

---

Minimal workflow

# Install locally or use IBM Cloud Shell.
ibmcloud help
ibmcloud version

# Endpoint.
ibmcloud api cloud.ibm.com
ibmcloud api

# Login.
ibmcloud login
ibmcloud login --sso
ibmcloud login --apikey @key_file_name

# Targeting.
ibmcloud regions
ibmcloud target -r us-south -g Default
ibmcloud target

# Plug-ins.
ibmcloud plugin list
ibmcloud plugin repo-plugins

VPC infrastructure:

ibmcloud plugin install vpc-infrastructure
ibmcloud plugin update vpc-infrastructure
ibmcloud plugin list
ibmcloud is help

---

Load companion files

File	Use for
installing-and-updating-cli.md	Install, verify, version, update, Cloud Shell.
logging-in-and-targeting.md	API endpoint, login, SSO, API keys, compute-resource login, target, logout.
cli-configuration-and-output.md	Global options, JSON output, quiet mode, trace, timeout, color, locale, config.
plugin-management.md	Plug-in repos, install, update, show, list, download, uninstall.
resource-groups-and-account-context.md	Resource groups, catalog, service instances, tags, IAM/API keys, users, billing basics.
vpc-infrastructure-plugin.md	vpc-infrastructure plug-in and ibmcloud is ... VPC infrastructure commands.

---

Command discovery

ibmcloud help
ibmcloud help login
ibmcloud help target
ibmcloud COMMAND -h
ibmcloud plugin
ibmcloud plugin show PLUGIN_NAME
ibmcloud is help
ibmcloud is instance-create -h

---

Failure triage

ibmcloud version
ibmcloud api
ibmcloud target
ibmcloud plugin list
ibmcloud help COMMAND

Symptom	Check
Resource missing	Account, region, resource group: ibmcloud target.
Login fails for enterprise user	Use ibmcloud login --sso or API-key login.
Script hangs at login	Replace SSO/passcode login with API-key login.
Namespace missing	Install/update the required plug-in.
Output parsing fails	Use JSON output where available.
Delete prompts	Do not add -f unless explicitly approved.