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control-cli

Build repeatable tmux or PTY harnesses to capture CLI/TUI transcripts.

Updated May 22, 2026
Search Tags:#debugging#tmux#cli testing#tui harness#terminal profiling#pty automation#interactive UX
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/paulbrittain/claude-team-kit --skill control-cli-paulbrittain
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent▼
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: control-cli
Source: https://github.com/paulbrittain/claude-team-kit/tree/main/skills/control-cli
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/paulbrittain/claude-team-kit --skill control-cli-paulbrittain

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

It removes guesswork when a CLI or TUI behaves inconsistently by providing a repeatable harness that captures what happened and lets you replay interactions deterministically.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Deterministic local harnesses: Reuses repo-native test/demo harnesses when available, or builds a temporary harness using tmux or PTY for controlled interaction.
  • Before/after evidence: Captures terminal screen/transcripts around specific actions so bug reports and fixes are grounded in actual output.
  • Profiling & reliability checks: Supports startup timing, CPU profiling, heap/memory leak investigation, and hang investigation with clean teardown.
  • Safety guardrails: Emphasizes non-destructive behavior, deterministic waits over sleeps, and cleanup of sessions/artifacts.

Quick Start

Use control-cli to build a minimal tmux or PTY harness that runs your CLI under deterministic environment variables and returns a captured transcript of the interactive flow you specify.

Frequently Asked Questions about control-cli

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

FAQPage Schema
How do I test interactive CLI behavior deterministically?▼

Testing interactive CLI behavior deterministically involves building a local tmux or PTY harness to drive the application, capture screen transcripts, and cleanly terminate the session for repeatable results.

What is the best way to debug a TUI application that hangs on startup?▼

The best way to debug a TUI startup hang is running the application within a profiling harness that captures startup timing and CPU artifacts while enforcing deterministic waits over arbitrary sleeps.

Can I use tmux to automate keyboard and resize testing for terminal applications?▼

Yes, tmux can automate keyboard, interrupt, and resize testing by assembling a controlled PTY harness that drives the interactive flow and captures terminal screen output.

How do I capture terminal transcripts before and after a specific CLI action?▼

To capture terminal transcripts around a CLI action, run the application in a local test harness that records screen state transitions before and after triggering the specific interactive event.

Does profiling a CLI for memory leaks require external services?▼

Profiling a CLI for memory leaks does not require external services; the harness builds local PTY or tmux environments to capture heap artifacts and investigate hangs with clean teardown.

Why should I avoid using sleep commands when testing interactive prompt flows?▼

Avoiding sleep commands when testing prompt flows ensures repeatable timing through deterministic waits, preventing race conditions and ensuring reliable transcript capture during interactive UX testing.

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