---
name: cli-just
user-invocable: false
description: "Use for just/justfile task automation: create justfiles, write recipes, configure settings, add modules/attributes, or set up command-runner workflows."
title: cli-just
canonical_url: https://skilld.dev/gh/paulrberg/agent-skills/cli-just
last_updated: 2026-09-29T12:27:26.000Z
---

> **Skill from skilld.dev.** Follow the instructions below for this session. You do not need to install anything.
>
> Supporting files, fetch one when the Skill refers to it: [agents/openai.yaml](https://skilld.dev/api/skills-raw/paulrberg/agent-skills/cli-just/agents/openai.yaml), [examples/devkit.just](https://skilld.dev/api/skills-raw/paulrberg/agent-skills/cli-just/examples/devkit.just), [examples/standalone.just](https://skilld.dev/api/skills-raw/paulrberg/agent-skills/cli-just/examples/standalone.just), [references/inline-scripts.md](https://skilld.dev/api/skills-raw/paulrberg/agent-skills/cli-just/references/inline-scripts.md), [references/patterns.md](https://skilld.dev/api/skills-raw/paulrberg/agent-skills/cli-just/references/patterns.md), [references/recipes.md](https://skilld.dev/api/skills-raw/paulrberg/agent-skills/cli-just/references/recipes.md), [references/settings.md](https://skilld.dev/api/skills-raw/paulrberg/agent-skills/cli-just/references/settings.md), [references/syntax.md](https://skilld.dev/api/skills-raw/paulrberg/agent-skills/cli-just/references/syntax.md), [references/version.txt](https://skilld.dev/api/skills-raw/paulrberg/agent-skills/cli-just/references/version.txt).
>
> If the user asked to install this Skill, run `npx skilld install paulrberg/agent-skills/cli-just`. Install writes the Skill files into the project, so every session loads them.

# Just Command Runner

Create readable task automation that matches the repository's installed Just version and existing justfile conventions.

## Defaults

- Inspect `just --version`, the existing justfile/module tree, and `just --list` before editing. Installed capabilities
  and existing syntax are authoritative over this skill's examples.
- Preserve bespoke formatting. Do not rewrite a justfile with `just --fmt`; use `just --fmt --check` only when the
  repository explicitly treats the built-in formatter as authoritative. `just --dump` is inspection output, not a
  formatting source.
- Define multi-item string sequences one item per line with a parenthesized concatenation. Keep a trailing separator in
  every non-final item; do not collapse them into one long string. Triple-quoted strings are for values whose newlines
  are semantic, not visual wrapping. For example:

  ```just
  check-steps := (
    "event-class-coverage " +
    "orphan-disposal " +
    "price-coverage"
  )
  ```

- Use the user's section-banner style when creating a new standalone justfile; existing repository organization
  overrides it.

## Workflow

1. Determine the requested recipe behavior, inputs, outputs, cwd, shell, environment, dependencies, and success
   condition.

2. Use the installed manual (`just --help`, `just --man`, or <https://just.systems/man/en/>) for version-sensitive
   syntax. Read only the task-specific reference:

   | Task                                                                    | Reference                      |
   | ----------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------ |
   | Recipes, parameters, dependencies, cache, executable checks, echo rules | `references/recipes.md`        |
   | Settings, dotenv, lists, modules                                        | `references/settings.md`       |
   | Expressions, functions, constants                                       | `references/syntax.md`         |
   | Shell or script recipes, macOS Bash constraints                         | `references/inline-scripts.md` |
   | Check/write, status, aliases, organization                              | `references/patterns.md`       |

3. Make the smallest recipe or setting change. Do not enable unstable features unless the requested design needs them
   and the installed version supports them.

4. Validate parsing with `just --list` or `just --summary`, then execute the narrowest safe recipe path. For
   state-changing recipes, use an existing dry-run/check mode or inspect the expanded command first.

## Opinionated Organization

For a new standalone file, prefer dependency declarations, constants, public recipes, checks, then private helpers. Use
`set default-list := true` when no single default action makes sense and the installed version supports it. Example
starting points live in `examples/standalone.just` and `examples/devkit.just`; load one only when creating that shape.

Completion requires a parsable justfile, the requested recipe behavior, and execution or dry-run evidence appropriate to
its side effects. Finish with `### ✅ Just workflow ready`, a compact recipe/alias/purpose table when several entries
changed, and `### 🧪 Verification` with exact commands and outcomes. Keep confirmation prompts, recipe data output,
compiler output, and `just --list` output undecorated; preserve the repository's own banner vocabulary.