Better* Tools Series

A series of enhanced Unix command-line tools focused on improving developer experience.

Active Projects

betterdash

• Module: moul.io/betterdash
• GitHub: https://github.com/moul/betterdash
• Purpose: Terminal development dashboard for tmux showing git status, PRs, issues, and notifications
• Features: Real-time updates, GitHub integration, offline SQLite cache, Bubble Tea TUI
• Status: Active development

betterdiff

• Module: moul.io/betterdiff
• GitHub: https://github.com/moul/betterdiff
• Purpose: Enhanced git diff viewer with interactive TUI mode
• Features: Split-screen interface, directory comparison, file watching, syntax highlighting
• Status: Active development

betterless

• Module: moul.io/betterless
• GitHub: https://github.com/moul/betterless
• Purpose: Modern less alternative with directory explorer and multi-file viewing
• Features: Visual scroll indicators, real-time file watching, split-view support
• Status: Active development

betterwatch

• Module: moul.io/betterwatch
• GitHub: git@github.com:moul/betterwatch.git
• Purpose: Enhanced watch command with diff highlighting and smart process handling
• Features: No screen flicker, diff mode, slow process support, execution timing
• Status: Active development

Related Tools

alf

• Module: moul.io/alf
• Purpose: Personal project management system (not Alfred-related)
• Features: Tmux integration, GitHub tracking, SQLite storage, project discovery
• Note: Binary name is alf, comprehensive CLI for development workflows

repomate

• Module: moul.io/repomate
• GitHub: https://github.com/moul/repomate
• Purpose: Symlink-based private file manager across repositories
• Features: Centralized sensitive files, automatic .gitignore management, AI conflict resolution

Other Notable moul Tools

• assh: Smart SSH client wrapper
• moulsay: Egocentric “cowsay” alternative
• awesome-1: Curated list of awesome lists
• awesome-well-known: RFC 5785 well-known URIs

Better Tools Suite Architecture

All better* tools follow consistent patterns:

• Terminal-first design with ANSI color support
• NO_COLOR/CLICOLOR environment variable respect
• Makefile-based builds with standard targets (test, run, install)
• Zero configuration defaults with sensible behavior
• Context-based cancellation for graceful shutdown
• Minimal dependencies for maximum portability
• Built with Go using minimal dependencies

Shared Design Principles

• The “better” tools suite consists of betterdash, betterdiff, betterless, and betterwatch
• Each respects NO_COLOR and CLICOLOR environment variables
• Use Makefile-based builds with consistent targets: test, run, install
• Designed for zero configuration with sensible defaults

Integration Questions

• How can the better* tools be integrated more seamlessly with ALF?
• Should betterdash become a plugin system for other better* tools?
• What’s the optimal way to share configuration between better* tools?
• Could betterwatch integrate with betterdash for unified monitoring?
• Should there be a meta-tool that orchestrates all better* utilities?

Analysis Tasks

Tool Dependencies Analysis

• Map out dependency relationships between ALF, better* tools, and repomate
• Identify shared libraries and common patterns
• Document integration points and APIs
• Create visual dependency graph
• Propose unified configuration approach

TODOs

• [x] Document all better* tools with actual features
• [x] Create concept specs for each tool
• [ ] Analyze tool dependencies and integration points
• [ ] Create visual dependency graph
• [ ] Propose unified configuration approach