home / skills / a5c-ai / babysitter / getopts-parser-generator
This skill generates robust getopts-based argument parsing for shell scripts, supporting short and long options, validation, and helpful usage text.
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---
name: getopts-parser-generator
description: Generate getopts-based argument parsing for shell scripts with short/long options and validation.
allowed-tools: Read, Write, Edit, Bash, Glob, Grep
---
# Getopts Parser Generator
Generate getopts-based argument parsing for shell scripts.
## Capabilities
- Generate getopts parsing code
- Support short and long options
- Implement option validation
- Create help text generation
- Handle required arguments
- Generate usage documentation
## Usage
Invoke this skill when you need to:
- Add argument parsing to shell scripts
- Support short and long options
- Validate argument values
- Generate help text
## Generated Patterns
### Getopts with Long Options
```bash
#!/usr/bin/env bash
# Default values
VERBOSE=false
OUTPUT=""
FORMAT="text"
FORCE=false
# Usage function
usage() {
cat <<EOF
Usage: $(basename "$0") [OPTIONS] <input>
Options:
-h, --help Show this help
-v, --verbose Enable verbose output
-o, --output FILE Output file (default: stdout)
-f, --format FORMAT Output format: text, json, csv (default: text)
-F, --force Force overwrite existing files
Arguments:
input Input file to process
EOF
}
# Parse options
parse_options() {
# Transform long options to short ones
for arg in "$@"; do
shift
case "$arg" in
'--help') set -- "$@" '-h' ;;
'--verbose') set -- "$@" '-v' ;;
'--output') set -- "$@" '-o' ;;
'--format') set -- "$@" '-f' ;;
'--force') set -- "$@" '-F' ;;
*) set -- "$@" "$arg" ;;
esac
done
# Parse short options
local OPTIND opt
while getopts ":hvo:f:F" opt; do
case "$opt" in
h) usage; exit 0 ;;
v) VERBOSE=true ;;
o) OUTPUT="$OPTARG" ;;
f)
case "$OPTARG" in
text|json|csv) FORMAT="$OPTARG" ;;
*) die "Invalid format: $OPTARG" ;;
esac
;;
F) FORCE=true ;;
:) die "Option -$OPTARG requires an argument" ;;
\?) die "Unknown option: -$OPTARG" ;;
esac
done
shift $((OPTIND - 1))
# Remaining arguments
if [[ $# -lt 1 ]]; then
usage
die "Missing required argument: input"
fi
INPUT="$1"
shift
# Extra arguments
EXTRA_ARGS=("$@")
}
die() {
echo "Error: $*" >&2
exit 1
}
# Parse and validate
parse_options "$@"
# Validation
[[ -f "$INPUT" ]] || die "Input file not found: $INPUT"
[[ -n "$OUTPUT" && -f "$OUTPUT" && "$FORCE" != true ]] && \
die "Output file exists: $OUTPUT (use --force to overwrite)"
```
## Target Processes
- shell-script-development
- shell-completion-scripts
- argument-parser-setup
This skill generates getopts-based argument parsing code for shell scripts that supports both short and long options, validation, and help text generation. It produces robust parsing patterns including required-argument handling, default values, and usage documentation. The output is ready to paste into bash scripts and includes common validation checks and error handling.
The skill transforms long options into short equivalents, then emits a getopts loop that handles option flags, option arguments, and validation branches. It generates a usage function, default variable initialization, error reporting helper, and post-parse checks for required positional arguments and file checks. The produced code includes examples of value validation (enumerations, existence checks) and overwrite protection for output files.
Does the generator support both short and long options?
Yes. It maps long options to short ones before running getopts so you get both forms without non-portable parsers.
Can it validate option values like specific strings or file existence?
Yes. Generated code includes validation branches for enumerated values and common filesystem checks such as file existence and overwrite protection.