Open CLI

bat

shell utilities
$ brew install bat
Summary

File previews, syntax highlighting, and readable diffs from the terminal.

  • bat fits git & github well, especially for file previews, syntax highlighting, and readable diffs from the terminal.
  • 16,827 homebrew installs (30d).
  • Easy to automate.
  • Best treated as a human-first terminal tool.
  • Output is mostly text-first, so verify results before scripting around it.
github-bat-SKILL.md

Bat guide

File previews, syntax highlighting, and readable diffs from the terminal. Built by sharkdp.

Open CLI packages the install path, verify step, and safe-start workflow so this tool can move from “interesting CLI” to something you can actually use. It also integrates with skills.sh so each CLI comes with the right companion skills, not just a binary and a docs link.

When to apply

  • file previews, syntax highlighting, and readable diffs from the terminal.
  • You work with shell utilities and want a fast terminal interface.
  • You need file previews.
  • You need syntax highlighting.
  • You need readable diffs.

Quick reference

Installbrew install bat
Verifybat --version
First real commandbat README.md

Open CLI × skills.sh

Open CLI integrates bat with the right skills.sh companions so you get the tool and the workflow together.

Workflow Automation

Recommended pairing

Open CLI recommends this skills.sh skill because it fits shell utilities workflows. Turn repeated CLI sequences into cleaner, more reliable agent workflows.

View on skills.sh
$ npx skills add https://github.com/supercent-io/skills-template --skill workflow-automation
Starter prompt

Use bat together with the Workflow Automation skills.sh skill. Start with safe inspection commands, summarize what you find, and ask before any step with side effects.

Also useful from skills.sh
Codebase Searchskills.shDebuggingskills.sh

Why this tool

  • bat fits git & github well, especially for file previews, syntax highlighting, and readable diffs from the terminal.
  • 16,827 homebrew installs (30d).
  • Easy to automate.

Watch-outs

  • Output is mostly plain text.
  • Better for local use than CI.

Example workflow

1. bat README.md

Safe start

Step 1

Install bat.

Step 2

Run `bat --version` first.

Step 3

Start with `bat README.md`.

Step 4

Install the CLI and make sure it is on your PATH.

Alternatives worth considering

fzf

Fuzzy finding, history search, and interactive filtering from the terminal.

rg

Code search, fast grep, and agent codebase scans from the terminal.

nu

Structured shell, pipelines, and data transforms from the terminal.