bextool project scaffolding CLI docs.

bextool is an open-source project scaffolding CLI and app generator that creates production-ready starter applications from a single interactive flow.

Setting up a new project often means writing boilerplate code, configuring tedious build tooling, and structuring files from scratch before actually starting your business logic. bextool solves this by providing a comprehensive, registry-driven tool that scaffolds Frontend apps, Backend servers, Full-Stack frameworks, Mobile apps, Browser extensions, and much more.

Packagebextool (NPM)
EnvironmentNode.js 18+
Template EngineHandlebars

Installation

You can install bextool globally on your machine to use it anywhere, or execute it on-the-fly using npx.

Global Installation

npm install -g bextool

Execute without installing

npx bextool

Interactive CLI scaffolding flow

Bextool offers a powerful, multi-step interactive wizard powered by @clack/prompts. Instead of remembering hundreds of flags, simply run the command and the tool will guide you.

THE PROCESS

  1. Select a Category: Choose the high level domain (Frontend, Backend, Mobile, Full-Stack, etc.)
  2. Select a Framework: Pick from the available templates inside your chosen category (React + Vite, Next.js App Router, React Native Expo).
  3. Metadata: Describe your project name and description.
  4. Framework-specific Prompts: Depending on the framework, Answer custom scaffolding questions (like Target Browser for Extensions).
  5. Package Manager: Optionally install dependencies using npm, yarn, or pnpm.

CLI commands for starter generation

It usually only takes two commands to get an entire application up and running locally.

1. Launch Interactive CLI

bextool

2. Launch Generated Project

cd <project-name># Following scripts are generated:npm run dev

Supported starter templates registry

Bextool curates a massive registry of 15+ community-maintained scaffolding templates. Every template is production ready with necessary `.gitignore` files, linters usually pre-configured, and clean start architecture.

Frontend

React + Vite

Backend

Node.js + Express

Full-Stack

Next.js App Router

Mobile App

React Native (Expo)

Browser Extension

Chrome / Firefox / Edge

Static Site

Hugo

NPM Package

TS + Rollup + Vitest

CLI Tool

Commander

+ 8 more scaffolds...

Extending the CLI (Advanced)

Bextool boasts a highly Modular Architecture. Adding a brand new scaffold or framework is incredibly simple using the centralized src/config/frameworks.js registry.

How to create a new starter template:

  1. Add Template Assets: Put your boilerplate files into a new subdirectory in templates/. These templates utilize Handlebars (.hbs syntax) to inject user config.
  2. Create a Generator Module: Under src/generators/, add the code defining what specific prompts it needs and how it executes its build.
  3. Register the Framework: Simply append your new module to the array in src/config/frameworks.js.

Once you do this, running `npm test` locally within the repository will automatically generate syntax checks and smoke integrations for your brand new framework setup!

Google Search Console setup checklist

Use this checklist after deployment to improve crawl coverage and indexing signals for search engines.

  1. Verify your domain property: Add and verify your production domain in Google Search Console.
  2. Set canonical host and HTTPS: Ensure one preferred domain version is indexed and HTTPS is enforced.
  3. Submit sitemap: Submit /sitemap.xml in Search Console and confirm discovered URLs include home, docs, and policy pages.
  4. Test robots access: Confirm /robots.txt is reachable and does not block critical content.
  5. Request indexing for key pages: Inspect and request indexing for /, /docs, and your top trust pages.
  6. Track performance queries weekly: Monitor clicks, impressions, and average position for target terms like “project scaffolding CLI” and “starter app generator”.
  7. Fix coverage and enhancement issues: Resolve page indexing, structured data, and mobile usability issues as they appear.