bash-script-generator_skill

Overview

This skill generates robust Bash scripts based on user requirements, following established best practices. It produces scripts that include argument parsing, error handling, cleanup routines, and clear usage output to make maintenance and automation safer and easier.

How this skill works

I ask targeted questions about inputs, expected behavior, environment constraints, and failure modes, then synthesize a complete Bash script scaffold. The generated script includes getopt/shift-based argument parsing, set -euo pipefail options, trap handlers for cleanup, logging hooks, and inline comments to explain nontrivial logic. Outputs are tailored for portability and can be adjusted for specific shells or platforms on request.

When to use it

• You need a production-ready Bash script for automation, deployment, or data processing.
• You want consistent argument parsing and help/usage text for command-line tools.
• You require reliable error detection and cleanup in long-running or resource-sensitive scripts.
• You need a starter script that follows shell best practices and is easy to review or extend.

Best practices

• Provide clear functional requirements and example inputs/outputs up front.
• Specify target shells and platforms (bash version, Linux distro, macOS) for portability adjustments.
• Request idempotency and failure-recovery behavior when relevant.
• Include required external commands or dependencies to embed defensive checks in the script.
• Ask for logging level preferences and whether sensitive data should be redacted.

Example use cases

• Generate a deployment script that pulls code, runs migrations, and restarts services with rollback on failure.
• Create a backup script that accepts source/destination arguments, verifies space, and cleans temp files on exit.
• Produce a data ingest pipeline wrapper with strict argument validation and retry logic for transient errors.
• Build a developer utility that installs tooling, configures environment variables, and prints a compact help message.