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CLI Flag Generator

A CLI tool where `-v` means something unexpected, or where `--force` is missing and users have no escape hatch, feels wrong immediately. Established flag conventions exist because they are already in users' muscle memory. This tool returns a shuffled set of command-line flags in the standard short-and-long form. The only input is how many you want, from 1 to 10 (14 in the pool). Each entry pairs a single-letter short flag with a long flag and a one-line description, following POSIX and GNU conventions: `-h, --help`, `-v, --version`, `-V, --verbose`, `-n, --dry-run`, `-f, --force`, `-o, --output FILE`, `-c, --config PATH`, `-r, --recursive`, `-w, --watch`, `-p, --port NUM`, `--no-color`, and more. Keep the meanings exactly as shown and your CLI will feel familiar from the first run.

Read the complete guide — 4 min read

How to use

  1. Choose your options above
  2. Click Generate
  3. Copy your result

Detailed instructions

  1. Choose how many CLI flags you want.
  2. Generate a set that fits your tool.
  3. Keep each flag's meaning conventional.
  4. Drop them into your help screen and parser.

Use Cases

  • •Designing a command-line interface
  • •Writing a clear help screen
  • •Documenting a CLI tool
  • •Keeping flag meanings conventional
  • •Scaffolding argument parsing

Tips

  • →Provide both a short and a long form.
  • →Keep conventional meanings like -h and --dry-run.
  • →Use --no- prefixes to disable default-on options.
  • →Write a one-line description for every flag.

FAQ

why provide both short and long flag forms

Short flags like `-v` are fast to type interactively; long flags like `--verbose` are self-documenting in shell scripts and documentation. Providing both serves quick manual use and readable automation without forcing a choice.

are these flag meanings considered standard

Yes. `-h` for help, `-v` for version, `--dry-run` for a safe preview, and `--force` to skip confirmations are widely established. Deviating — for example using `-v` for verbose instead of version — confuses users who already know them.

when should I use a --no- prefix

Use `--no-<option>` to disable a boolean feature that is on by default. `--no-color` is the canonical example: color output is the default, and the flag turns it off. This pattern is immediately recognisable to CLI users.

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