home / skills / stuartf303 / sorcha / sorcha-cli
This skill helps you build, debug, and test Sorcha CLI commands and Refit clients with System.CommandLine 2.0 patterns.
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---
name: sorcha-cli
description: |
Builds and maintains the Sorcha CLI tool using System.CommandLine 2.0.2, Refit HTTP clients, and Spectre.Console.
Use when: Creating CLI commands, adding options/arguments, implementing Refit service clients, writing CLI tests, or fixing command structure issues.
allowed-tools: Read, Edit, Write, Glob, Grep, Bash, mcp__context7__resolve-library-id, mcp__context7__query-docs
---
# Sorcha CLI Skill
The Sorcha CLI (`sorcha`) is a .NET 10 global tool for managing the Sorcha distributed ledger platform. It uses **System.CommandLine 2.0.2** for command parsing, **Refit** for HTTP API clients, and **Spectre.Console** for rich terminal output.
## Project Location
```
src/Apps/Sorcha.Cli/
├── Commands/ # Command implementations
├── Infrastructure/ # Helpers (ConsoleHelper, ExitCodes, HttpClientFactory)
├── Models/ # Request/Response DTOs for APIs
├── Services/ # Refit interfaces and service contracts
└── Program.cs # Entry point and command registration
```
## Quick Reference
### Creating a New Command
```csharp
// SPDX-License-Identifier: MIT
// Copyright (c) 2025 Sorcha Contributors
using System.CommandLine;
using System.CommandLine.Parsing;
using System.Net;
using System.Text.Json;
using Refit;
using Sorcha.Cli.Infrastructure;
using Sorcha.Cli.Services;
namespace Sorcha.Cli.Commands;
public class MyCommand : Command
{
private readonly Option<string> _idOption;
private readonly Option<bool> _verboseOption;
public MyCommand(
HttpClientFactory clientFactory,
IAuthenticationService authService,
IConfigurationService configService)
: base("mycommand", "Description of command")
{
// IMPORTANT: Option constructor takes (name, description) NOT (alias1, alias2)
_idOption = new Option<string>("--id", "The resource ID")
{
Required = true
};
_verboseOption = new Option<bool>("--verbose", "Enable verbose output")
{
Required = false
};
// Add options to command
Options.Add(_idOption);
Options.Add(_verboseOption);
// Set the action handler
this.SetAction(async (ParseResult parseResult, CancellationToken ct) =>
{
var id = parseResult.GetValue(_idOption)!;
var verbose = parseResult.GetValue(_verboseOption);
// Implementation here
return ExitCodes.Success;
});
}
}
```
### System.CommandLine 2.0.2 Key Points
| Pattern | Correct | Wrong |
|---------|---------|-------|
| Option constructor | `new Option<string>("--id", "Description")` | `new Option<string>("--id", "-i")` |
| Add short alias | `option.Aliases.Add("-i")` | Second constructor param |
| Option name property | Returns `"--id"` (with dashes) | Does NOT return `"id"` |
| Get option value | `parseResult.GetValue(_option)` | `parseResult.GetValueForOption()` |
| Set action | `this.SetAction(async (pr, ct) => {...})` | Override Execute |
| Test find option | `o.Name == "--id"` | `o.Aliases.Contains("--id")` |
**Testing Note:** The `Aliases` collection does NOT include the option name. Use `o.Name == "--id"` to find options in tests.
### Adding Short Aliases
```csharp
_idOption = new Option<string>("--id", "The resource ID") { Required = true };
_idOption.Aliases.Add("-i"); // Add short alias separately
Options.Add(_idOption);
```
### Parent Command with Subcommands
```csharp
public class ParentCommand : Command
{
public ParentCommand(
HttpClientFactory clientFactory,
IAuthenticationService authService,
IConfigurationService configService)
: base("parent", "Parent command description")
{
Subcommands.Add(new ChildListCommand(clientFactory, authService, configService));
Subcommands.Add(new ChildGetCommand(clientFactory, authService, configService));
Subcommands.Add(new ChildCreateCommand(clientFactory, authService, configService));
}
}
```
### Registering Commands in Program.cs
```csharp
// Program.cs
rootCommand.Subcommands.Add(new MyCommand(clientFactory, authService, configService));
```
## Refit Service Clients
### Interface Definition
```csharp
// Services/IMyServiceClient.cs
using Refit;
public interface IMyServiceClient
{
[Get("/api/resources")]
Task<List<Resource>> ListAsync([Header("Authorization")] string authorization);
[Get("/api/resources/{id}")]
Task<Resource> GetAsync(string id, [Header("Authorization")] string authorization);
[Post("/api/resources")]
Task<Resource> CreateAsync([Body] CreateRequest request, [Header("Authorization")] string authorization);
[Put("/api/resources/{id}")]
Task<Resource> UpdateAsync(string id, [Body] UpdateRequest request, [Header("Authorization")] string authorization);
[Delete("/api/resources/{id}")]
Task DeleteAsync(string id, [Header("Authorization")] string authorization);
// Pagination with query parameters
[Get("/api/resources")]
Task<List<Resource>> ListAsync(
[Query] int? page,
[Query] int? pageSize,
[Header("Authorization")] string authorization);
// OData queries
[Get("/odata/{resource}")]
Task<HttpResponseMessage> QueryODataAsync(
string resource,
[Query("$filter")] string? filter,
[Query("$orderby")] string? orderby,
[Query("$top")] int? top,
[Query("$skip")] int? skip,
[Header("Authorization")] string authorization);
}
```
### Using Refit Client in Commands
```csharp
// Get client from factory
var client = await clientFactory.CreateMyServiceClientAsync(profileName);
// Get auth token
var token = await authService.GetAccessTokenAsync(profileName);
if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(token))
{
ConsoleHelper.WriteError("You must be authenticated.");
return ExitCodes.AuthenticationError;
}
// Call API with Bearer token
var result = await client.GetAsync(id, $"Bearer {token}");
```
## Error Handling Pattern
```csharp
try
{
var result = await client.GetAsync(id, $"Bearer {token}");
// Success handling
}
catch (ApiException ex) when (ex.StatusCode == HttpStatusCode.NotFound)
{
ConsoleHelper.WriteError($"Resource '{id}' not found.");
return ExitCodes.NotFound;
}
catch (ApiException ex) when (ex.StatusCode == HttpStatusCode.Unauthorized)
{
ConsoleHelper.WriteError("Authentication failed. Your access token may have expired.");
ConsoleHelper.WriteInfo("Run 'sorcha auth login' to re-authenticate.");
return ExitCodes.AuthenticationError;
}
catch (ApiException ex) when (ex.StatusCode == HttpStatusCode.Forbidden)
{
ConsoleHelper.WriteError("You do not have permission to access this resource.");
return ExitCodes.AuthorizationError;
}
catch (ApiException ex)
{
ConsoleHelper.WriteError($"API Error: {ex.Message}");
if (ex.Content != null)
{
ConsoleHelper.WriteError($"Details: {ex.Content}");
}
return ExitCodes.GeneralError;
}
catch (Exception ex)
{
ConsoleHelper.WriteError($"Failed: {ex.Message}");
return ExitCodes.GeneralError;
}
```
## Console Output Helpers
```csharp
// Success message (green)
ConsoleHelper.WriteSuccess("Operation completed successfully!");
// Error message (red)
ConsoleHelper.WriteError("Something went wrong.");
// Warning message (yellow)
ConsoleHelper.WriteWarning("This action cannot be undone.");
// Info message (cyan)
ConsoleHelper.WriteInfo("Use 'sorcha help' for more information.");
```
## Exit Codes
```csharp
public static class ExitCodes
{
public const int Success = 0;
public const int GeneralError = 1;
public const int AuthenticationError = 2;
public const int AuthorizationError = 3;
public const int NotFound = 4;
public const int ValidationError = 5;
}
```
## JSON Output Support
```csharp
// Check output format option
var outputFormat = parseResult.GetValue(BaseCommand.OutputOption) ?? "table";
if (outputFormat.Equals("json", StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase))
{
Console.WriteLine(JsonSerializer.Serialize(result, new JsonSerializerOptions { WriteIndented = true }));
return ExitCodes.Success;
}
// Otherwise display as table
Console.WriteLine($"{"ID",-36} {"Name",-30} {"Status",-10}");
Console.WriteLine(new string('-', 80));
foreach (var item in results)
{
Console.WriteLine($"{item.Id,-36} {item.Name,-30} {item.Status,-10}");
}
```
## See Also
- [commands](references/commands.md) - Complete command reference
- [testing](references/testing.md) - Unit test patterns and fixes
- [models](references/models.md) - DTO and model patterns
## Related Skills
- **dotnet** - .NET 10 / C# 13 patterns
- **xunit** - Unit testing with xUnit
- **fluent-assertions** - FluentAssertions patterns
- **moq** - Mocking with Moq
## Dependencies
| Package | Version | Purpose |
|---------|---------|---------|
| System.CommandLine | 2.0.2 | CLI framework |
| Refit | 9.0.2 | HTTP client |
| Refit.HttpClientFactory | 9.0.2 | DI integration |
| Spectre.Console | 0.54.0 | Rich console output |
| System.IdentityModel.Tokens.Jwt | 8.3.0 | JWT token handling |
## Tool Version Management
The Sorcha CLI can be installed as a .NET global tool or run from local build. When working on the CLI, check for version mismatches.
### Check for Global Tool Installation
```bash
# Check if sorcha is installed as a global tool
dotnet tool list --global | grep -i sorcha
# Find where the current 'sorcha' command is located
which sorcha # Linux/macOS
where sorcha # Windows
```
### Uninstall Global Tool (for local development)
If a global tool is installed, it may conflict with local development builds:
```bash
# Uninstall global tool to use local build
dotnet tool uninstall --global sorcha.cli
```
### Local Build Paths
After building with `dotnet build src/Apps/Sorcha.Cli`, the executable is at:
- **Release:** `src/Apps/Sorcha.Cli/bin/Release/net10.0/Sorcha.Cli.exe`
- **Debug:** `src/Apps/Sorcha.Cli/bin/Debug/net10.0/Sorcha.Cli.exe`
### Walkthrough Scripts
When writing walkthrough scripts that use the CLI, prefer finding the local build:
```powershell
# PowerShell pattern for finding CLI
$RepoRoot = (Get-Item $PSScriptRoot).Parent.Parent.FullName
$LocalCliPath = Join-Path $RepoRoot "src/Apps/Sorcha.Cli/bin/Release/net10.0/Sorcha.Cli.exe"
$DebugCliPath = Join-Path $RepoRoot "src/Apps/Sorcha.Cli/bin/Debug/net10.0/Sorcha.Cli.exe"
if (Test-Path $LocalCliPath) {
$SorchaCliPath = $LocalCliPath
} elseif (Test-Path $DebugCliPath) {
$SorchaCliPath = $DebugCliPath
} else {
$SorchaCliPath = "sorcha" # Fall back to global tool
}
```
### Version Mismatch Symptoms
If you see unexpected command options or missing features:
1. Check if global tool version differs from source code
2. Rebuild with `dotnet build src/Apps/Sorcha.Cli -c Release`
3. Verify using `sorcha --version` vs `./Sorcha.Cli.exe --version`
## Documentation Resources
> Fetch latest System.CommandLine documentation with Context7.
**Library ID:** `/dotnet/command-line-api`
**Recommended Queries:**
- "Option constructor aliases System.CommandLine 2.0"
- "SetAction handler pattern"
- "ParseResult GetValue"
This skill builds and maintains the Sorcha CLI, a .NET 10 global tool that uses System.CommandLine 2.0.2, Refit HTTP clients, and Spectre.Console for rich terminal output. It provides patterns and examples for creating commands, wiring Refit service clients, structured error handling, and producing JSON or table output. The content focuses on practical, testable implementations and developer workflows for local development and tool version management.
The skill shows how to define commands and options with System.CommandLine 2.0.2, register subcommands, and set async handlers using the SetAction pattern. It describes creating Refit interfaces for REST and OData endpoints, obtaining bearer tokens via an authentication service, and calling APIs with explicit error handling for common HTTP responses. ConsoleHelper wrappers and Spectre.Console patterns are used to standardize success, error, warning, and info output.
How do I add a short alias for an option?
Construct the option with the long name then call option.Aliases.Add("-i") to add a short alias.
Why does my test not find an option by alias?
The Aliases collection does not include the option name; use o.Name == "--id" to locate options in tests.