gui4cli

GUI4CLI

Turn a Node.js CLI script into a desktop form. Inputs, a Run button, and live output. The original file is unchanged.

The window runs your original script by its path on this computer, with the Node and dependencies installed here. It is not a standalone app you can send to someone.

The window is a windowd app. The first launch downloads about 200 MB of NW.js. --build writes a reusable windowd folder, not an installer.

Docs: gui4cli.dev/docs · Site: gui4cli.dev · GitHub: Catalyst-Forge-LLC/gui4cli

Install

Requires Node.js 20+. Expect a one-time NW.js download on the first window.

npx gui4cli my-script.js

Or globally:

npm install -g gui4cli
gui4cli my-script.js

A folder works too: gui4cli . --entry bin/cli.js.

What you get

• Detects Commander and yargs. If those, JSDoc, and explicit config fields find no fields, GUI4CLI may run the script with --help. That can have side effects. Explicit config fields skip that execution.
• One window: fields, command preview, Run, live stdout/stderr, exit code
• Remembers last-run values
• --json prints the form and exits (no window). It still runs detection, including the --help fallback.
• --build writes a reusable windowd folder that wraps the original script in place (no .exe, no rewrite). It stores absolute paths to the script and to this machine's Node.

Optional overrides: gui4cli.config.js or gui4cli.json next to the script. Flags: CLI.

Development

pnpm install
pnpm test
pnpm exec tsx src/cli.ts fixtures/resize.js --json
pnpm dev

pnpm dev opens the Commander fixture. The first windowd launch may download the NW.js runtime (~200 MB). If the window flashes and closes, run from a normal terminal, not Cursor's JavaScript Debug Terminal.

Site (FilePress): pnpm site:dev (LocalSlip gui4cli-site on 5201). Redeploy: pnpm ship.

License

MIT · Catalyst Forge LLC

See the rest of the Catalyst Forge shelf.