CLI Options & Arguments Reference Markdown Table Template
Reference table for command-line tool options, shorthand aliases, data types, environment overrides, and descriptions.
Interactive Template Customizer
Edit cells, add rows, or sort — changes update the markdown liveColumn Architecture & Alignment Specification
Carefully chosen column alignments ensure optimal visual scannability across desktop and mobile screens:
| Column Header | Alignment | Delimiter Syntax | Design Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Option Flag | left | :--- | Standard left-aligned readable text & descriptions |
| Alias | center | :---: | Centers compact status symbols, flags, or tags |
| Type | center | :---: | Centers compact status symbols, flags, or tags |
| Description | left | :--- | Standard left-aligned readable text & descriptions |
| Default | right | ---: | Aligns numeric scale, defaults, or magnitudes |
Pro Tips for CLI Options & Arguments Reference
- Format short and long flags together in inline code: `-o, --output <dir>`.
- Right-align numeric or boolean default flags for scanning.
- Clearly specify whether arguments accept multiple occurrences (e.g. `--include <glob>...`).
How to Deploy This Table Across Platforms
Paste raw Markdown into README.md. Leave one blank newline above and below for GFM compliance.
Paste directly into Live Preview mode. Use wikilinks ([[Note]]) inside cells for bidirectional linking.
Press Enter to make a fresh empty line block, then paste. Notion auto-transforms it into a native Simple Table block.
Standard GFM tables work out of the box in modern MDX engines. You can style them via custom CSS selectors.
Raw GFM Code
| Option Flag | Alias | Type | Description | Default |
| :------------------ | :---: | :-----: | :--------------------------------------------- | -----------: |
| `--output <dir>` | `-o` | path | Destination directory for generated files | `"./dist"` |
| `--format <type>` | `-f` | enum | Output format (`markdown`, `csv`, `json`) | `"markdown"` |
| `--dry-run` | `-d` | boolean | Simulate changes without writing files to disk | `false` |
| `--verbose` | `-v` | boolean | Enable debug log output to stdout | `false` |
| `--concurrency <n>` | `-c` | integer | Maximum parallel worker threads | `4` |
| `--version` | `-V` | boolean | Display binary version and exit | — |Standard padded style with boundary pipes matching GitHub GFM parser specifications.
Platform Support
Syntax Formatting Rules
- Pipe Escaping: Use
\|for text with pipe symbols. - Multi-line Cells: Use
<br>for line breaks. - Monospace Text: Wrap variables or code in backticks (
`key`). - Empty Values: Use
—instead of leaving cells empty.
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Frequently Asked Questions About CLI Options & Arguments Reference
How should I format parameters, flags, or keys in this CLI Options & Arguments Reference table?
Wrap variable names in the "Option Flag" column in backticks (e.g., `--output <dir>`). This enforces monospace rendering, prevents underscores from italicizing surrounding text, and improves readability across GitHub and developer documentation sites.
Where in my repository or project documentation should I place this CLI Options & Arguments Reference table?
This template is specifically designed for include in cli tool man-pages, github readme command references, and developer documentation. Place it inside your project's README.md, technical wiki, or developer portal. Always leave at least one blank newline before and after the table to ensure the GFM parser detects it properly.
Why is the "Option Flag" column styled with left alignment?
The "Option Flag" column functions as the primary key of this table. Setting it to left alignment establishes an anchor along the left reading margin, making it effortless for developers to scan down the list.
How do I add line breaks inside a single cell of this CLI Options & Arguments Reference table?
Standard Markdown table rows cannot contain literal carriage returns. To create a multi-line list inside a cell, insert HTML <br> tags (e.g. "Item 1<br>Item 2<br>Item 3"). This keeps the entire entry in a single clean row without breaking column alignments.
How do I handle optional or missing values in CLI Options & Arguments Reference?
Never leave table cells completely empty, as some strict Markdown parsers may collapse empty pipes. Instead, insert an em-dash ("—"), "N/A", or "None" to explicitly indicate that a value is not applicable.
Can I export this CLI Options & Arguments Reference table into CSV, Excel, or HTML?
Yes. In the interactive toolkit above, you can edit your data and use our integrated export tools to convert this table directly into CSV, JSON, HTML <table>, or LaTeX with a single click.