The C++ Core Guidelines are a set of guidelines for writing C++ programs, edited by Bjarne Stroustrup and Herb Sutter.
CLIG
The Command Line Interface Guidelines is an open-source guide to writing command-line programs using updated Unix principles.
About CLIG
The Command Line Interface Guidelines is a guide to writing command-line programs. It updates traditional UNIX principles for current use and is written by four named engineers, with design by Mark Hurrell. The guide combines high-level design philosophy with concrete guidelines and relies on examples to illustrate its points.
The guide is agnostic about programming languages and tooling. It does not cover full-screen terminal programs such as emacs and vim, which the authors describe as niche. Readers can join a Discord server to discuss the guide or CLI design. Pricing is unknown.
Key features
- Design guidelines for the user interface of command-line programs
- High-level design philosophy paired with concrete, example-based best practices
- Discussion space on Discord for the guide and CLI design
- Covers command-line design independent of programming language or tooling
Best for: Developers who are building command-line programs and want principles and concrete best practices for interface design.
Good for
- Authors include engineers who co-created Docker Compose, and the guide cites their experience
- Combines design philosophy with concrete guidelines and examples
- Not tied to any specific programming language or toolset
Watch out for
- Does not cover full-screen terminal programs such as emacs and vim
CLIG at a glance
- Website
- clig.dev
- Category
- Education & Learning › Learn to Code
- Type
- Website
- Pricing
- Not confirmed. Check the site
- Platforms
- Web
- Open source
- Not stated
- Language
- English
- Last checked
- Oct 6, 2026 · Online when checked
- Listed
- Oct 5, 2026
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CLIG FAQ
Does the guide cover full-screen terminal programs like vim or emacs?
No. The guide states that it does not cover full-screen terminal programs like emacs and vim.
Is the guide tied to a particular programming language?
No. The guide is agnostic about programming languages and tooling in general.
Where can I discuss the guide or CLI design with others?
The guide invites readers to join its Discord server to discuss the guide or CLI design.
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Tell us and an editor will check it.
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