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
lessalternative 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 âcowsayâ 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 âbetterâ 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?
- Whatâs 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