Software Engineering Radio - the podcast for professional software developers SE Radio 702: Derick Schaefer on Modern CLIs
Jan 7, 2026
Derick Schaefer, an expert in command-line interfaces and author of 'CLI: A Practical Guide to Creating Modern Command-Line Interfaces,' dives into the evolution of CLIs from their Unix origins to their modern resurgence. He explores the object-command model popularized by Git and discusses the importance of API-first design for modern tools. Derick also highlights the role of AI in enhancing CLIs and the significance of user experience in output formats. With insights on various programming languages for CLI development, he predicts a bright future for these tools.
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What A CLI Actually Is
- A CLI is an interface into a computing environment built around a terminal and shell.
- CLIs invoke programs or scripts to perform discrete work inside an OS or an application.
The Rise, Fall, And Revival Of CLIs
- CLIs experienced rise, decline with GUIs, and a modern revival driven by developer access and cloud tooling.
- Today CLIs run at scale because every developer has shells and uses tools like Git, Docker, and cloud CLIs.
Object-Command Model Powers Modern CLIs
- Modern CLIs favor the object-command model (command + subcommand) for complex, modular interfaces.
- This pattern enables reuse, centralized flags, and clearer organization compared to many one-off commands.
