maketree 1.2.0
Create complex project structures effortlessly.
Requires Python: >=3.8
Keywords: python, cli, directory, structures, automation, file-system, scaffolding, developer-tool, productivity

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  <img src="https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Anas-Shakeel/maketree-cli/main/assets/header.jpg" />
</p>

# Maketree CLI

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Create project structures effortlessly with a single command.

## 📜 Table of Contents

-   [Overview](#overview)
-   [Why Maketree?](#why-maketree)
-   [Features](#features)
-   [Installation](#installation)
    -   [Install via pip](#install-via-pip)
    -   [Install from source](#install-from-source)
    -   [Download binaries](#download-binaries-no-python-required)
-   [Quickstart](#quickstart)
-   [Usage](#usage)
    -   [Display Help](#display-help)
    -   [Creating a Directory Structure](#creating-a-directory-structure)
        -   [Define the Structure](#define-the-structure)
        -   [Generate the Structure](#generate-the-structure)
    -   [Syntax for Writing a .tree file](#syntax-for-writing-a-tree-file)
    -   [Specifying a Destination Folder](#specifying-a-destination-folder)
    -   [Handling Existing Files](#handling-existing-files)
        -   [Overwrite Existing Files](#overwrite-existing-files)
        -   [Skip Existing Files](#skip-existing-files)
    -   [Extracting the Structure](#extracting-the-structure)
    -   [Preview the Structure](#preview-the-structure)
    -   [Avoid Confirming](#avoid-confirming)
    -   [Avoid Color Output](#avoid-color-output)
    -   [Summary](#summary)
-   [Compatibility](#compatibility)
    -   [OS Support](#os-support)
    -   [Python Version Support](#python-version-support)
-   [FAQ](#faq)
    -   [What is Maketree?](#what-is-maketree)
    -   [Do I have to be a Software Developer to use Maketree?](#do-i-have-to-be-a-software-developer-to-use-maketree)
    -   [Why should I use Maketree?](#why-should-i-use-maketree)
    -   [How do I install Maketree?](#how-do-i-install-maketree)
    -   [How do I use Maketree to generate a project structure?](#how-do-i-use-maketree-to-generate-a-project-structure)
    -   [What should I do if I find a bug?](#what-should-i-do-if-i-find-a-bug)
    -   [How do I uninstall Maketree?](#how-do-i-uninstall-maketree)
-   [Contributing](#contributing)

<h2 id="overview">📖 Overview</h2>

Maketree is a powerful CLI tool that generates **directories** and **files** based on a predefined structure. Instead of manually creating folders and files, just define your structure and let **Maketree** handle the rest.

<p align="center">
  <img src="https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Anas-Shakeel/maketree-cli/main/assets/demo.gif" alt="demo.gif"/>
</p>

<h2 id="why-maketree">🤔 Why Maketree?</h2>

-   **Saves Time**: No more manually creating directories and files.
-   **Consistency**: Maintain a standard project structure across all your projects.
-   **Easy to Use**: Define a structure in plain text and generate it instantly.

<h2 id="features">🚀 Features:</h2>

-   **Supports nested directory structures**
-   **Automatically creates missing parent directories**
-   **Flexible file handling with warning, skip, and overwrite options**
-   **Preview the directory tree before creation**
-   **Color support**
-   **Simple and easy to write structure syntax**
-   **Lightweight, fast, and has zero dependencies**
-   **Simple and user-friendly CLI**

<h2 id="installation">📦 Installation:</h2>

<h3 id="install-via-pip">Install via **pip**:</h3>

`Maketree` is available on PyPI. **(Recommended if you're a python developer and have python already installed on your system)**

You can install it using:

```sh
pip install maketree
```

`python>=3.8` must be installed on your system.

<h3 id="install-from-source">Install from **Source**:</h3>

If you are installing from source, you will need `python>=3.8`.

```sh
git clone https://github.com/Anas-Shakeel/maketree-cli.git
cd maketree-cli
pip install .
```

<h3 id="download-binaries-no-python-required">Download **Binaries**: _(No Python Required)_</h3>

Maketree provides standalone binaries for **Linux**, **macOS**, and **Windows**. **(Recommended if you don't want to install Python.)**

-   Download the latest release from the [Releases page](https://github.com/anas-shakeel/maketree-cli/releases/).

-   **(Optional)** Move the executable to a directory in your system's `PATH` (e.g., `/usr/local/bin` on **Linux/macOS** OR `C:\maketree` on **Windows**).

-   Run `maketree` from the terminal.

    ```sh
    maketree -h
    ```

<h2 id="quickstart">⚡ Quickstart:</h2>

Define your project structure in a `.tree` file:

`structure.tree`

```plaintext
my_project/
    src/
        main.py
        utils.py
    tests/
        test_main.py
    README.md
    .gitignore
```

Then, run:

```sh
maketree structure.tree
```

This will instantly generate the entire structure in your current directory.

<h2 id="usage">⚙️ Usage</h2>

You can `maketree` from any location in your terminal. **(If installed via `pip` or if moved the executable to a directory recognized by system's `PATH`)**

<h3 id="display-help">Display Help</h3>

```sh
maketree -h
```

This will show the available commands and options:

```sh
usage: maketree [OPTIONS]

Create complex project structures effortlessly.

positional arguments:
  src                   source file (with .tree extension)
  dst                   where to create the tree structure (default: .)

options:
  -h, --help            show this help message and exit
  -cd, --create-dst     create destination folder if it doesn't exist.
  -et, --extract-tree   write directory tree into a .tree file. (takes a PATH)
  -g, --graphical       show source file as graphical tree and exit
  -o, --overwrite       overwrite existing files
  -s, --skip            skip existing files
  -nc, --no-color       don't use colors in output
  -nC, --no-confirm     don't ask for confirmation
  -v, --verbose         enable verbose mode

Maketree 1.2.0
```

<h3 id="creating-a-directory-structure">Creating a Directory Structure</h3>

**Maketree** reads `.tree` file that defines the folder and file structure and then creates the corresponding structure on your filesystem.

<h4 id="define-the-structure">Define the Structure</h4>

Create a file named `myapp.tree`:

```
src/
    style.css
    app.js
    index.html
```

This will create a src folder with three files: `index.html`, `style.css`, and `app.js`.

#### Generate the Structure

To generate the structure, Run:

```sh
maketree myapp.tree
```

It will ask for confirmation with a graphical representation of the structure.

```sh
.
└─── src/
│   ├─── app.js
│   ├─── index.html
│   └─── style.css
Create this structure? (y/N):
```

Output:

```sh
1 directory and 3 files have been created.
```

By default, maketree creates the structure in the current directory.

<h3 id="syntax-for-writing-a-tree-file">Syntax for Writing a `.tree` File</h3>

To ensure correctness, follow these simple points:

1. **Directories must end with `/`**
2. **Indentation must be exactly 4 spaces** _(other indentations may cause unexpected results)_
3. **File and directory names must be valid according to your OS**
4. **Comments start with `//`** _(inline comments are not supported)_

#### Example:

`myapp.tree`

```
// This is a comment, and is ignored by maketree.
node_modules/
public/
    favicon.ico
    index.html
    robots.txt
src/
    index.css
    index.js
.gitignore
package.json
README.md
```

Now, run:

```sh
maketree myapp.tree
```

Output: (After confirming)

```
3 directories and 8 files have been created.
```

<h3 id="specifying-a-destination-folder">Specifying a Destination Folder</h3>

You can specify a destination folder instead of creating the structure in the current directory.

```sh
maketree myapp.tree myapp/
```

It will throw an error if `myapp/` does not exist.

```sh
Error: destination path 'myapp' does not exist.
```

Use `--create-dst` or `-cd` flag, `maketree` then creates the destination directory if it doesn't exists.

```sh
maketree myapp.tree myapp/ --create-dst
```

Output:

```
3 directories and 8 files have been created.
```

<h3 id="handling-existing-files">Handling Existing Files</h3>

If you run `maketree` again in the same directory without deleting files, you’ll see an error:

```sh
maketree myapp.tree myapp
```

Output:

```
Error: Found 8 existing files, cannot proceed. (try --skip or --overwrite)
```

By default, `maketree` does not **overwrite** or **skip** existing files.

<h4 id="overwrite-existing-files">Overwrite Existing Files</h4>

Use the `--overwrite` or `-o` flag to overwrite existing files:

```sh
maketree myapp.tree myapp --overwrite
```

Output:

```
0 directories and 8 files have been created.
```

<h4 id="skip-existing-files">Skip Existing Files</h4>

Use the `--skip` or `-s` flag to keep existing files but create missing ones:

```sh
maketree myapp.tree myapp --skip
```

Output: (After deleting 3 files)

```
0 directories and 3 files have been created.
```

<h3 id="extracting-the-structure">Extracting the Structure</h3>

You can also extract an already created project structure using `-et` or `--extract-tree` flag following the directory path of structure:

```sh
maketree --extract-tree myapp/
```

Output:

```
Tree has been extracted into 'myapp_1.tree'
```

Notice it created `myapp_1.tree`, because there was a `myapp.tree` already in the current directory.

Contents of `myapp_1.tree` file:

```
myapp/
    .gitignore
    package.json
    README.md
    node_modules/
    public/
        favicon.ico
        index.html
        robots.txt
    src/
        index.css
        index.js
```

Now this `.tree` file can be used whenever you want to create a similar project structure.

<h3 id="preview-the-structure">Preview the Structure</h3>

Use `--graphical` or `-g` to visualize the `myapp.tree` file:

```sh
maketree myapp.tree -g
```

Output:

```
.
├─── node_modules/
├─── public/
│   ├─── favicon.ico
│   ├─── index.html
│   └─── robots.txt
├─── src/
│   ├─── index.css
│   └─── index.js
├─── .gitignore
├─── package.json
└─── README.md
```

It is also shown before you create a structure for confirmation.

<h3 id="avoid-confirming">Avoid Confirming:</h3>

By default, `maketree` confirms before creating the structure. But this can sometimes be anoyying. Use `--no-confirm` or `-nC` flag to create the structure without confirming. _(Notice the C is capital in `-nC`)_

```sh
maketree myapp.tree myapp --no-confirm
```

<h3 id="avoid-color-output">Avoid Color Output:</h3>

By default, `maketree` uses [ANSI escape codes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ANSI_escape_code) to color the output.

```sh
maketree myapp.tree myapp/
```

If you're seeing something like this:

```sh
←[1m←[3m←[92msrc/←[0m
←[90m├───←[0m ←[1m←[3m←[92mnode_modules/←[0m
←[90m├───←[0m ←[1m←[3m←[92mpublic/←[0m
←[90m│   ←[0m←[90m├───←[0m favicon.ico
←[90m│   ←[0m←[90m├───←[0m index.html
←[90m│   ←[0m←[90m└───←[0m robots.txt
←[90m├───←[0m ←[1m←[3m←[92msrc/←[0m
←[90m│   ←[0m←[90m├───←[0m index.css
←[90m│   ←[0m←[90m└───←[0m index.js
←[90m├───←[0m .gitignore
←[90m├───←[0m package.json
←[90m└───←[0m README.md
←[95mCreate this structure? (y/N): ←[0m
```

Then your terminal doesn't support **ANSI escape codes** by default. **(there are workarounds but they require extra python dependencies)**.

You will have to disable colors using `--no-color` or `-nc` flag.

```sh-session
maketree myapp.tree myapp/ --no-color
```

This will disable colors and you'll see normal text again.

<h3 id="summary">Summary</h3>

| Feature           | Command Example                 |
| ----------------- | ------------------------------- |
| Create structure  | `maketree myapp.tree`           |
| Set destination   | `maketree myapp.tree myapp -cd` |
| Overwrite files   | `maketree myapp.tree myapp -o`  |
| Skip existing     | `maketree myapp.tree myapp -s`  |
| Extract structure | `maketree -et myapp/`           |
| Graphical preview | `maketree myapp.tree -g`        |
| Avoid Confirm     | `maketree myapp.tree myapp -nC` |
| Avoid Colors      | `maketree myapp.tree myapp -nc` |

<h2 id="compatibility">🖥️ Compatibility</h2>

<h3 id="os-support">OS Support</h3>

Maketree is compatible with the following operating systems:

| OS      | Compatibility |
| ------- | ------------- |
| Linux   | ✅ Supported  |
| macOS   | ✅ Supported  |
| Windows | ✅ Supported  |

<h3 id="python-version-support">Python Version Support</h3>

Maketree works with **Python 3.8 and later**, ensuring compatibility with the latest Python releases.

| Python Version | Compatibility         |
| -------------- | --------------------- |
| 3.8            | ✅ Supported          |
| 3.9            | ✅ Supported          |
| 3.10           | ✅ Supported          |
| 3.11           | ✅ Supported          |
| 3.12           | ✅ Supported          |
| 3.13           | ✅ Supported (Latest) |

<h2 id="faq">❓ FAQ</h2>

<h4 id="what-is-maketree">What is Maketree?</h4>

**Maketree** is a command-line tool that helps developers quickly generate a predefined folder and file structures for your projects. It eliminates the need to manually create directories and files, allowing developers to start coding right away with a well-organized project structure.

<h4 id="do-i-have-to-be-a-software-developer-to-use-maketree">Do I have to be a Software Developer to use Maketree?</h4>

No, you can be anyone. You can be a lawyer, student, or heck even Yavascript programmer.

<h4 id="why-should-i-use-maketree">Why should I use Maketree?</h4>

If you frequently create CLI applications, Maketree saves you time by setting up a standardized project structure instantly. It follows best practices and helps you maintain consistency across different projects.

<h4 id="how-do-i-install-maketree">How do I install Maketree?</h4>

You can install **Maketree** via pip. _(for python developers)_

```sh
pip install maketree
```

Or download the executable for your OS from [Releases page](https://github.com/anas-shakeel/maketree-cli/releases/latest/).

<h4 id="how-do-i-use-maketree-to-generate-a-project-structure">How do I use Maketree to generate a project structure?</h4>

Simply create a file like `anything.tree` and define your project structure in it:

`anything.tree`

```
src/
    app.js
    index.html
    style.css
```

then run the following command:

```sh
maketree anything.tree
```

This will create the files and folders you specified in `anything.tree` file.

<h4 id="what-should-i-do-if-i-find-a-bug">What should I do if I find a bug?</h4>

If you encounter a bug, please [open an issue](https://github.com/Anas-Shakeel/maketree-cli/issues) on GitHub with details about the problem. Be sure to include:

-   A description of the issue
-   Steps to reproduce
-   Expected vs. actual behavior
-   Any error messages you received

<h4 id="how-do-i-uninstall-maketree">How do I uninstall Maketree?</h4>

To uninstall **Maketree** (installed via `pip`), Run:

```sh
pip uninstall maketree
```

<h2 id="contributing">🤝 Contributing</h2>

Contributions to **Maketree** are welcome and highly appreciated. However, before you jump right into it, i would like you to review [Contribution Guidelines](https://github.com/anas-shakeel/maketree-cli/blob/main/CONTRIBUTING.md) to make sure you have a smooth experience contributing to **Maketree**.