cli-grpc-tooling

Manage gRPC and protobuf configurations with buf and grpcurl.

Updated Apr 21, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/erikshafer/CritterCab --skill cli-grpc-tooling
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: cli-grpc-tooling
Source: https://github.com/erikshafer/CritterCab/tree/main/docs/skills/cli-grpc-tooling
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/erikshafer/CritterCab --skill cli-grpc-tooling

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

💡 This Skill requires buf, grpcurl, Evans, and includes scripts (resource) and references (resource) and assets (resource) components.

What problem does it solve?

This Skill simplifies the management of gRPC and protobuf in CritterCab, streamlining tasks like formatting, linting, and breaking-change detection.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Proto Governance: Manage protobuf files with buf, including linting, breaking-change detection, formatting, and code generation.
  • gRPC Calls: Execute gRPC calls using grpcurl for smoke tests, debugging, and CI checks.
  • Interactive REPL: Use Evans for an interactive way to explore gRPC services and compose complex requests.
  • Use Case: When you need to ensure your protobuf and gRPC services are in line with the latest changes, use this Skill to run buf lint and buf breaking to validate the changes.

Quick Start

Run 'buf lint' to check for style issues in your protobuf files.

Frequently Asked Questions about cli-grpc-tooling

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I automate protobuf linting and breaking-change detection in my CI pipeline?

Automate protobuf linting and breaking-change detection in a CI pipeline by running buf lint and buf breaking against your protobuf files. This validates style consistency and prevents incompatible API changes from merging into your gRPC services.

What's the best way to test gRPC endpoints without writing dedicated client code?

Test gRPC endpoints without dedicated client code by using grpcurl to execute calls directly from the command line. This approach is ideal for running smoke tests, debugging service behavior, and verifying endpoint availability during CI checks.

How does Evans help with exploring gRPC services and composing requests?

Evans helps explore gRPC services by providing an interactive REPL environment. You can dynamically inspect service definitions and compose complex requests on the fly, making it easier to test and understand gRPC APIs without building static client scripts.

Do I need buf and grpcurl installed to manage gRPC configurations with this approach?

Yes, you need buf and grpcurl installed to manage gRPC configurations. Buf handles protobuf file formatting, linting, and breaking-change detection, while grpcurl is required to interact directly with and execute calls against live gRPC endpoints.

How do I check for style issues in my protobuf files before committing changes?

Check for style issues in your protobuf files by running the buf lint command. This validates your definitions against configured style rules to ensure consistency across protobuf and gRPC services before changes are committed to version control.

Can I use buf to manage code generation and formatting for protobuf files?

Yes, you can use buf to manage code generation and formatting for protobuf files. Buf streamlines proto governance by automating these tasks, ensuring that generated code remains consistent and formatted correctly across your development and CI pipelines.