knife

Manage Chef/Cinc nodes, cookbooks, data bags, vaults, and SSH commands via knife CLI.

1|Updated Mar 3, 2026

Search Tags:#devops #infrastructure #cookbooks #node-management #knife #chef #cinc

Ready to run

npx skills add https://github.com/timcase/agent-skills --skill knife

💬 Prompt for ChatGPT / Claude Chat▼

Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: knife
Source: https://github.com/timcase/agent-skills/tree/main/knife
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/timcase/agent-skills --skill knife

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

💡 This Skill includes references (resource) components.

What problem does it solve?

Knife enables managing Chef/Cinc infrastructure from the workstation, allowing you to perform common admin tasks without direct server access.

Core Features & Use Cases

Node management: list, show, edit, and modify node run lists.
Cookbook and data bag management: upload, show, and edit cookbooks and data bags.
Vault and SSH: manage vault items, run remote commands, and bootstrap new nodes.
Output formats: view results as JSON or YAML for scripting.

Quick Start

Run knife to list nodes and manage run lists from your workstation.

Frequently Asked Questions about knife

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

FAQPage Schema

How do I manage Chef nodes and run lists from my workstation?▼

You can manage Chef nodes and run lists from your workstation by using the knife CLI to list, show, edit, and modify node run lists without requiring direct server access.

Can I upload cookbooks and edit data bags using knife?▼

Yes, you can upload, show, and edit cookbooks and data bags using knife. It automates these common admin tasks directly from your workstation for Chef or Cinc infrastructure.

Does the knife CLI support running SSH commands and managing vault items?▼

Yes, the knife CLI supports running remote SSH commands, managing vault items, and bootstrapping new nodes across multiple environments with clear error handling.

What output formats are available when listing Chef infrastructure data with knife?▼

Knife allows you to view results as JSON or YAML formats, making the output suitable for scripting and automation when listing nodes or interacting with data bags.

Do I need direct server access to update Chef environment assignments?▼

No, you do not need direct server access to update Chef environment assignments. Knife automates environment assignment and node management directly from your workstation.

What is the best way to handle DevOps node management across multiple environments?▼

The best way to handle DevOps node management across multiple environments is using the knife CLI to execute node listing, environment assignment, and run_list updates remotely.