When to use this skill

When you need to add shell commands for a new entity in ores.comms.shell. This skill guides you through creating the command class, registering it with the REPL, and implementing standard operations following established patterns.

Prerequisites:

•The domain type must already exist (see domain-type-creator skill)
•The messaging protocol for CRUD operations must exist (see binary-protocol-developer skill)
•The server-side handlers must be implemented
•Table I/O streaming must be available for list output

How to use this skill

•Gather entity requirements (name, operations needed, parameters).
•Follow the detailed instructions to create commands in phases.
•Each phase ends with a PR checkpoint - raise PR, wait for review, merge.
•Create a fresh branch from main for the next phase (see feature-branch-manager).
•Build and test after each step.

PR Strategy

This skill is structured into three phases, each resulting in a separate PR.

Phase	Steps	PR Title Template
1	Steps 1-3	`[shell] Add <entity> list and add commands`
2	Steps 4-5	`[shell] Add <entity> history command`
3	Step 6	`[doc] Add <entity> shell command recipes`

After each PR is merged, use feature-branch-manager to transition to the next phase.

Detailed instructions

The following sections describe the step-by-step process for creating shell commands for an entity.

Gather Requirements

Before starting, gather the following information:

•Entity name: The name of the entity (e.g., currency, country, account).
•Component location: Which domain the entity belongs to (e.g., ores.refdata, ores.iam).
•Menu name: The shell menu name (typically plural, e.g., currencies, accounts).
•
Operations needed:
- • List/get all entities
- • Add/create new entity
- • History (version tracking)
- • Update/modify entity
- • Delete entity
- • Custom operations
•Authentication: Which operations require authentication vs public access.
•Parameters: What parameters each command accepts.

Phase 1: List and Add Commands

This phase creates the command class with basic CRUD operations. After completing Steps 1-3, raise a PR.

Suggested PR title: [shell] Add <entity> list and add commands

Step 1: Create Header File

Create the command class header with logger and method declarations.

File location

projects/ores.comms.shell/include/ores.comms.shell/app/commands/<entity>_commands.hpp

Header structure

cpp

/* -*- mode: c++; tab-width: 4; indent-tabs-mode: nil; c-basic-offset: 4 -*-
 *
 * Copyright (C) 2025 Marco Craveiro <marco.craveiro@gmail.com>
 *
 * licensing text...
 */
#ifndef ORES_COMMS_SHELL_APP_COMMANDS_<ENTITY>_COMMANDS_HPP
#define ORES_COMMS_SHELL_APP_COMMANDS_<ENTITY>_COMMANDS_HPP

#include "ores.logging/make_logger.hpp"
#include "ores.comms/net/client_session.hpp"

namespace cli {

class Menu;

}

namespace ores::comms::shell::app::commands {

/**
 * @brief Manages commands related to <entities>.
 */
class <entity>_commands {
private:
    inline static std::string_view logger_name =
        "ores.comms.shell.app.commands.<entity>_commands";

    static auto& lg() {
        using namespace ores::logging;
        static auto instance = make_logger(logger_name);
        return instance;
    }

public:
    /**
     * @brief Register <entity>-related commands.
     *
     * Creates the <entities> submenu and adds <entity> operations.
     */
    static void register_commands(cli::Menu& root_menu,
        comms::net::client_session& session);

    /**
     * @brief Process a get <entities> request.
     *
     * Retrieves all <entities> from the server and displays them.
     *
     * @param out Output stream for results
     * @param session Client session for connectivity.
     */
    static void process_get_<entities>(std::ostream& out,
        comms::net::client_session& session);

    /**
     * @brief Process an add <entity> request.
     *
     * Creates a new <entity> with the provided details.
     *
     * @param out Output stream for results
     * @param session Client session for connectivity.
     * @param param1 Description of parameter 1
     * @param param2 Description of parameter 2
     */
    static void process_add_<entity>(std::ostream& out,
        comms::net::client_session& session,
        std::string param1, std::string param2);
};

}

#endif

Key patterns

•All methods are static
•Logger uses inline static logger_name with fully qualified path
•lg() function creates logger on first use
•Methods take std::ostream& for output and client_session& for server communication
•String parameters use std::string (moved in implementation)

Commit message

code

[shell] Add <entity>_commands header

Declare command class with register_commands, process_get_<entities>,
and process_add_<entity> methods.

Step 2: Create Implementation File

Implement the command registration and processing functions.

File location

projects/ores.comms.shell/src/app/commands/<entity>_commands.cpp

Implementation structure

cpp

/* -*- mode: c++; tab-width: 4; indent-tabs-mode: nil; c-basic-offset: 4 -*-
 *
 * Copyright (C) 2025 Marco Craveiro <marco.craveiro@gmail.com>
 *
 * licensing text...
 */
#include "ores.comms.shell/app/commands/<entity>_commands.hpp"

#include <ostream>
#include <functional>
#include <cli/cli.h>
#include "ores.comms/messaging/message_types.hpp"
#include "ores.<component>/messaging/<entity>_protocol.hpp"
#include "ores.<component>/domain/<entity>_table_io.hpp" // IWYU pragma: keep.

namespace ores::comms::shell::app::commands {

using namespace logging;
using comms::messaging::message_type;
using comms::net::client_session;

void <entity>_commands::
register_commands(cli::Menu& root_menu, client_session& session) {
    auto <entity>_menu =
        std::make_unique<cli::Menu>("<entities>");

    <entity>_menu->Insert("get", [&session](std::ostream& out) {
        process_get_<entities>(std::ref(out), std::ref(session));
    }, "Retrieve all <entities> from the server");

    <entity>_menu->Insert("add", [&session](std::ostream& out,
            std::string param1, std::string param2) {
        process_add_<entity>(std::ref(out), std::ref(session),
            std::move(param1), std::move(param2));
    }, "Add a <entity> (param1 param2)");

    root_menu.Insert(std::move(<entity>_menu));
}

// ... process function implementations ...

}

Command patterns

•

Pattern A: List/Get (no auth required)

Use when the operation doesn't require authentication.

cpp

void <entity>_commands::
process_get_<entities>(std::ostream& out, client_session& session) {
    BOOST_LOG_SEV(lg(), debug) << "Initiating get <entities> request.";

    using <component>::messaging::get_<entities>_request;
    auto result = session.process_request(get_<entities>_request{});

    if (!result) {
        out << "✗ " << comms::net::to_string(result.error()) << std::endl;
        return;
    }

    BOOST_LOG_SEV(lg(), info) << "Successfully retrieved "
                              << result-><entities>.size() << " <entities>.";
    out << result-><entities> << std::endl;
}

•

Pattern B: List/Get (authenticated)

Use when the operation requires authentication.

cpp

void <entity>_commands::
process_list_<entities>(std::ostream& out, client_session& session) {
    BOOST_LOG_SEV(lg(), debug) << "Initiating list <entities> request.";

    using <component>::messaging::get_<entities>_request;
    using <component>::messaging::get_<entities>_response;
    auto result = session.process_authenticated_request<get_<entities>_request,
                                                        get_<entities>_response,
                                                        message_type::get_<entities>_request>
        (get_<entities>_request{});

    if (!result) {
        out << "✗ " << comms::net::to_string(result.error()) << std::endl;
        return;
    }

    BOOST_LOG_SEV(lg(), info) << "Successfully retrieved "
                              << result-><entities>.size() << " <entities>.";
    out << result-><entities> << std::endl;
}

•

Pattern C: Add/Create with login check

cpp

void <entity>_commands::
process_add_<entity>(std::ostream& out, client_session& session,
    std::string param1, std::string param2) {
    BOOST_LOG_SEV(lg(), debug) << "Initiating add <entity> request for: "
                               << param1;

    // Get recorded_by from logged-in user
    const auto& session_info = session.session_info();
    if (!session_info) {
        out << "✗ You must be logged in to add a <entity>." << std::endl;
        return;
    }
    const auto& recorded_by = session_info->username;

    using <component>::messaging::save_<entity>_request;
    using <component>::messaging::save_<entity>_response;
    auto result = session.process_authenticated_request<save_<entity>_request,
                                                        save_<entity>_response,
                                                        message_type::save_<entity>_request>
        (save_<entity>_request{
            .<entity> = <component>::domain::<entity>{
                .field1 = std::move(param1),
                .field2 = std::move(param2),
                .recorded_by = recorded_by,
                .recorded_at = std::chrono::system_clock::now()
            }
        });

    if (!result) {
        out << "✗ " << comms::net::to_string(result.error()) << std::endl;
        return;
    }

    const auto& response = *result;
    if (response.success) {
        BOOST_LOG_SEV(lg(), info) << "Successfully added <entity>.";
        out << "✓ <Entity> added successfully!" << std::endl;
    } else {
        BOOST_LOG_SEV(lg(), warn) << "Failed to add <entity>: "
                                  << response.message;
        out << "✗ Failed to add <entity>: " << response.message << std::endl;
    }
}

•

Pattern D: UUID parameter validation

Use when a command accepts a UUID parameter.

cpp

void <entity>_commands::
process_get_<entity>(std::ostream& out, client_session& session,
    std::string <entity>_id) {
    boost::uuids::uuid parsed_id;
    try {
        parsed_id = boost::lexical_cast<boost::uuids::uuid>(<entity>_id);
    } catch (const boost::bad_lexical_cast&) {
        BOOST_LOG_SEV(lg(), error) << "Invalid <entity> ID format: " << <entity>_id;
        out << "✗ Invalid <entity> ID format. Expected UUID." << std::endl;
        return;
    }

    // Continue with request using parsed_id...
}

Required includes for UUID validation:

cpp

#include <boost/lexical_cast.hpp>
#include <boost/uuid/uuid_io.hpp>
#include <boost/uuid/uuid_generators.hpp>

•

Pattern E: Optional parameter with default

cpp

void <entity>_commands::
process_add_<entity>(std::ostream& out, client_session& session,
    std::string required_param, std::string optional_param) {

    // Parse optional parameter with default
    int value = 100;  // default
    if (!optional_param.empty()) {
        try {
            value = std::stoi(optional_param);
        } catch (const std::invalid_argument&) {
            out << "✗ Invalid value: '" << optional_param
                << "' is not a valid integer." << std::endl;
            return;
        } catch (const std::out_of_range&) {
            out << "✗ Invalid value: '" << optional_param
                << "' is out of range." << std::endl;
            return;
        }
    }

    // Continue with request...
}

Commit message

code

[shell] Implement <entity>_commands list and add operations

Add process_get_<entities> for listing all <entities> and
process_add_<entity> for creating new <entities>.

Step 3: Register in REPL

File to modify

projects/ores.comms.shell/src/app/repl.cpp

Changes required

•Add include at top of file:

cpp

#include "ores.comms.shell/app/commands/<entity>_commands.hpp"

•Add registration in setup_menus() method:

cpp

std::unique_ptr<cli::Cli> repl::setup_menus() {
    auto root =
        std::make_unique<cli::Menu>("ores-shell");

    using namespace commands;
    connection_commands::register_commands(*root, session_);
    currencies_commands::register_commands(*root, session_);
    // ... existing registrations ...
    <entity>_commands::register_commands(*root, session_);  // Add this line

    // ... rest of method
}

Commit message

code

[shell] Register <entity>_commands in REPL

Add <entity> commands to shell menu hierarchy.

Phase 1 Checkpoint: Raise PR

At this point:

•Build and verify: cmake --build --preset linux-clang-debug
•Test manually that commands appear in shell help.
•Test get and add operations work correctly.
•Commit all changes.
•Push branch and raise PR.

PR Title: [shell] Add <entity> list and add commands

PR Description:

code

## Summary

- Add <entity>_commands class with list and add operations
- Register commands in REPL under `<entities>` menu
- Support authenticated requests with login check

## Test Plan

- [ ] Build succeeds
- [ ] `<entities> get` lists all <entities>
- [ ] `<entities> add` creates new <entity>
- [ ] Error handling works for invalid input

Wait for review feedback and merge before continuing to Phase 2.

Phase 2: History Command

After Phase 1 PR is merged, use feature-branch-manager to transition to Phase 2.

Suggested PR title: [shell] Add <entity> history command

Step 4: Add History Command

Add history retrieval for version tracking.

Header additions

Add to <entity>_commands.hpp:

cpp

/**
 * @brief Process a <entity> history request.
 *
 * Retrieves version history for a specific <entity>.
 *
 * @param out Output stream for results
 * @param session Client session for connectivity.
 * @param <entity>_id The <entity> identifier to get history for.
 */
static void process_<entity>_history(std::ostream& out,
    comms::net::client_session& session,
    std::string <entity>_id);

Implementation additions

Add to <entity>_commands.cpp:

•

Formatting helpers (in anonymous namespace)

cpp

namespace {

std::string format_time(std::chrono::system_clock::time_point tp) {
    return ores::platform::time::datetime::format_time_point(tp);
}

}  // anonymous namespace

Required include:

cpp

#include "ores.platform/time/datetime.hpp"

•

History command registration

Add to register_commands():

cpp

<entity>_menu->Insert("history", [&session](std::ostream& out,
        std::string <entity>_id) {
    process_<entity>_history(std::ref(out), std::ref(session),
        std::move(<entity>_id));
}, "Show history for a <entity> (<entity>_id)");

•

History implementation

cpp

void <entity>_commands::
process_<entity>_history(std::ostream& out, client_session& session,
    std::string <entity>_id) {
    BOOST_LOG_SEV(lg(), debug) << "Initiating <entity> history request for: "
                               << <entity>_id;

    using <component>::messaging::get_<entity>_history_request;
    using <component>::messaging::get_<entity>_history_response;
    auto result = session.process_authenticated_request<get_<entity>_history_request,
                                                        get_<entity>_history_response,
                                                        message_type::get_<entity>_history_request>
        (get_<entity>_history_request{.<entity>_id = <entity>_id});

    if (!result) {
        out << "✗ " << comms::net::to_string(result.error()) << std::endl;
        return;
    }

    const auto& history = result->history;
    BOOST_LOG_SEV(lg(), info) << "Successfully retrieved "
                              << history.size() << " history entries.";

    if (history.empty()) {
        out << "No history found for <entity>: " << <entity>_id << std::endl;
        return;
    }

    out << "History for <entity> " << <entity>_id << " ("
        << history.size() << " versions):" << std::endl;
    out << std::string(80, '-') << std::endl;

    for (const auto& entry : history) {
        out << "  Version " << entry.version << std::endl;
        out << "    Recorded: " << format_time(entry.recorded_at)
            << " by " << entry.recorded_by << std::endl;
        // Add entity-specific fields as needed
        out << std::endl;
    }
}

Commit message

code

[shell] Add <entity> history command

Implement process_<entity>_history for viewing version history with
formatted timestamps and version details.

Step 5: Add Additional Operations (Optional)

Add any additional operations specific to the entity.

Common additional operations

•

Delete operation

cpp

void <entity>_commands::
process_delete_<entity>(std::ostream& out, client_session& session,
    std::string <entity>_id) {
    BOOST_LOG_SEV(lg(), debug) << "Initiating delete <entity> request for: "
                               << <entity>_id;

    const auto& session_info = session.session_info();
    if (!session_info) {
        out << "✗ You must be logged in to delete a <entity>." << std::endl;
        return;
    }

    using <component>::messaging::delete_<entity>_request;
    using <component>::messaging::delete_<entity>_response;
    auto result = session.process_authenticated_request<delete_<entity>_request,
                                                        delete_<entity>_response,
                                                        message_type::delete_<entity>_request>
        (delete_<entity>_request{.<entity>_id = <entity>_id});

    if (!result) {
        out << "✗ " << comms::net::to_string(result.error()) << std::endl;
        return;
    }

    const auto& response = *result;
    if (response.success) {
        BOOST_LOG_SEV(lg(), info) << "Successfully deleted <entity>: "
                                  << <entity>_id;
        out << "✓ <Entity> deleted successfully!" << std::endl;
    } else {
        BOOST_LOG_SEV(lg(), warn) << "Failed to delete <entity>: "
                                  << response.message;
        out << "✗ Failed to delete <entity>: " << response.message << std::endl;
    }
}

•

Get single entity

cpp

void <entity>_commands::
process_get_<entity>(std::ostream& out, client_session& session,
    std::string <entity>_id) {
    BOOST_LOG_SEV(lg(), debug) << "Initiating get <entity> request for: "
                               << <entity>_id;

    using <component>::messaging::get_<entity>_request;
    using <component>::messaging::get_<entity>_response;
    auto result = session.process_authenticated_request<get_<entity>_request,
                                                        get_<entity>_response,
                                                        message_type::get_<entity>_request>
        (get_<entity>_request{.<entity>_id = <entity>_id});

    if (!result) {
        out << "✗ " << comms::net::to_string(result.error()) << std::endl;
        return;
    }

    if (!result-><entity>) {
        out << "✗ <Entity> not found: " << <entity>_id << std::endl;
        return;
    }

    const auto& entity = *result-><entity>;
    out << "<Entity> Details:" << std::endl;
    out << "  ID: " << entity.id << std::endl;
    out << "  Field1: " << entity.field1 << std::endl;
    // ... additional fields
}

Commit message

code

[shell] Add <entity> delete and get commands

Implement delete and single-entity retrieval operations.

Phase 2 Checkpoint: Raise PR

At this point:

•Build and verify: cmake --build --preset linux-clang-debug
•Test history command with existing entity.
•Test any additional operations added.
•Commit all changes.
•Push branch and raise PR.

PR Title: [shell] Add <entity> history command

PR Description:

code

## Summary

- Add history command for viewing <entity> version history
- Add formatted output with timestamps and version details

## Test Plan

- [ ] Build succeeds
- [ ] `<entities> history <id>` shows version history
- [ ] History displays correct timestamps and recorded_by

Wait for review feedback and merge before continuing to Phase 3.

Phase 3: Recipe Documentation

After Phase 2 PR is merged, use feature-branch-manager to transition to Phase 3.

Suggested PR title: [doc] Add <entity> shell command recipes

Step 6: Add Shell Recipes

Add all new commands to shell recipes using the ores-shell-recipes skill. This ensures every command is documented with runnable examples that serve as both documentation and tests.

File to modify

doc/recipes/shell_recipes.org

Recipe requirements

Create recipes that test every command added for the entity:

•Help recipe: Show the entity menu help output
•List recipe: Demonstrate listing all entities
•Add recipe: Demonstrate creating a new entity
•History recipe: Demonstrate viewing entity history
•Any additional commands: Delete, get single, etc.

Recipe section structure

Add a new section for the entity following this pattern:

#+begin_src fundamental

<Entities>

This section demonstrates <entity> management commands.

<Entities> Help

Display all available <entity> commands.

./ores.comms.shell ${log_args} ${connect_args} << 'EOF'
<entities> help
exit
EOF

List All <Entities>

Retrieve all <entities> from the server.

./ores.comms.shell ${log_args} ${connect_args} << 'EOF'
<entities> get
exit
EOF

Add <Entity>

Create a new <entity>. Requires authentication.

export ORES_SHELL_LOGIN_PASSWORD
./ores.comms.shell ${log_args} ${connect_args} ${login_args} << 'EOF'
<entities> add param1 param2
exit
EOF

<Entity> History

View version history for a <entity>. Requires authentication.

export ORES_SHELL_LOGIN_PASSWORD
./ores.comms.shell ${log_args} ${connect_args} ${login_args} << 'EOF'
<entities> history <entity_id>
exit
EOF

#+end_src

Recipe conventions

•Use :exports none on the ores-shell blocks (they are included via noweb)
•Add login_args property for authenticated commands
•Include export ORES_SHELL_LOGIN_PASSWORD for login commands
•Use :wrap example to format output
•Name blocks with pattern <entities>-<action>

Testing recipes

Before committing, test all recipes by running them in the shell documentation:

cd doc/recipes
emacs --batch -l ~/.emacs.d/init.el shell_recipes.org \
    --eval '(org-babel-execute-buffer)'

Or manually test each command in the shell.

Commit message

code

[doc] Add <entity> shell command recipes

Document all <entity> shell commands with runnable examples:
- Help menu
- List all <entities>
- Add new <entity>
- View <entity> history

Phase 3 Checkpoint: Raise PR

At this point:

•Verify recipes execute correctly.
•Check output formatting is correct.
•Commit all changes.
•Push branch and raise PR.

PR Title: [doc] Add <entity> shell command recipes

PR Description:

code

## Summary

- Add shell recipes section for <entity> commands
- Document help, list, add, and history operations
- Include runnable examples with expected output

## Test Plan

- [ ] All recipes execute without errors
- [ ] Output matches expected format
- [ ] Documentation renders correctly

Key conventions reference

Output formatting

Outcome	Format
Success	`out << "✓ Message" << std::endl;`
Error	`out << "✗ " << error << std::endl;`
List	`out << result->items << std::endl;`
Count	`out << "Retrieved " << n << " items."`

Logging levels

Level	Use Case
debug	Operation start, parameter values
info	Successful completion with counts/IDs
warn	Operation failed but handled
error	Invalid input, unexpected state

Request patterns

Pattern	Use Case
`process_request`	Public operations (no auth)
`process_authenticated_request`	Operations requiring login

Parameter handling

Type	Pattern
String	`std::string param` then `std::move(param)`
Optional	Empty string check with default value
UUID	`boost::lexical_cast` with try/catch
Integer	`std::stoi` with try/catch

Related skills

•domain-type-creator - For creating the underlying domain type
•binary-protocol-developer - For creating messaging protocol
•feature-branch-manager - For transitioning between phases
•ores-shell-recipes - For updating shell documentation