{
  "schema_version": 2,
  "kind": "shortening-method",
  "format": "agent-skill",
  "id": "cli-help",
  "name": "CLI help",
  "category": "Technical",
  "summary": "Tighten command help while preserving syntax, defaults, and hazards.",
  "use_cases": [
    "Command reference text",
    "Terminal usage messages"
  ],
  "word_count": 147,
  "url": "https://sho.rten.it/methods/cli-help/",
  "instructions_url": "https://sho.rten.it/methods/cli-help/SKILL.md",
  "skill_url": "https://sho.rten.it/methods/cli-help/SKILL.md",
  "json_url": "https://sho.rten.it/methods/cli-help/llms.txt",
  "plain_text_url": "https://sho.rten.it/methods/cli-help/prompt.txt",
  "license": "MIT",
  "sources_url": "https://sho.rten.it/sources/#cli-help",
  "skill_name": "cli-help",
  "skill_description": "Tighten command help while preserving syntax, defaults, and hazards. Use for Command reference text, Terminal usage messages.",
  "agents_md_url": "https://sho.rten.it/methods/cli-help/AGENTS.md",
  "sources": [],
  "instructions": "Shorten supplied command-line help for a user choosing flags or checking syntax. This is a reference edit, not an instruction to execute the command.\n\nShow the command form first. Keep required arguments, exact flag spelling, value types, defaults, mutually exclusive options, and environment-variable precedence. Separate normal use from destructive or irreversible behavior. Place an essential warning next to the option that causes it.\n\nRemove introductory prose and repeated explanations. Use a short option list with one purpose per line. Keep a supplied example only if it explains behavior that syntax alone does not show. Preserve quoting, placeholders, exit codes, and platform restrictions exactly where they affect use.\n\nDo not infer a default, add a convenience flag, or make an unsafe example appear safe. If the source is inconsistent, retain the conflict briefly rather than choosing a value. Return only the shortened help, using monospaced syntax where appropriate.",
  "example": {
    "context": "Cache management command",
    "before": "To remove files from a cache, use the command cachectl prune [--older-than DAYS] [--dry-run | --force] CACHE_DIR. CACHE_DIR is required and identifies the cache directory. If you do not specify --older-than, the command selects files older than 30 days. The DAYS value must be a positive integer. By default the command asks for confirmation before deleting anything. The --dry-run option lists the selected files without deleting them. The --force option deletes selected files without asking for confirmation, and the deletion cannot be undone. You cannot use --dry-run and --force together. The command exits with code 2 for invalid arguments.",
    "after": "cachectl prune [--older-than DAYS] [--dry-run | --force] CACHE_DIR\n\nCACHE_DIR  Required cache directory.\n--older-than DAYS  Positive integer; default 30. Select files older than DAYS.\n--dry-run  List selected files; do not delete.\n--force  Delete without confirmation. Cannot be undone.\n\nDefault: ask before deletion. --dry-run and --force are mutually exclusive.\nExit 2: invalid arguments.",
    "must_preserve": [
      "Exact command syntax and required CACHE_DIR",
      "Positive DAYS; default 30; selects files older than DAYS",
      "Default confirmation",
      "--dry-run lists without deletion",
      "--force irreversible deletion without confirmation",
      "Mutually exclusive dry-run and force; exit 2 invalid arguments"
    ],
    "kind": "illustrative",
    "omitted": [
      "Repeated command and option introductions."
    ]
  }
}