Bash Scripting

Bash Scripting Workflow

Overview

Specialized workflow for creating robust, production-ready bash scripts with defensive programming patterns, comprehensive error handling, and automated testing.

When to Use This Workflow

Use this workflow when:

• Creating automation scripts
• Writing system administration tools
• Building deployment scripts
• Developing backup solutions
• Creating CI/CD scripts

Workflow Phases

Phase 1: Script Design

Skills to Invoke

• bash-pro - Professional scripting
• bash-defensive-patterns - Defensive patterns

Actions

1. Define script purpose 2. Identify inputs/outputs 3. Plan error handling 4. Design logging strategy 5. Document requirements

Copy-Paste Prompts

Use @bash-pro to design production-ready bash script

Phase 2: Script Structure

Skills to Invoke

• bash-pro - Script structure
• bash-defensive-patterns - Safety patterns

Actions

1. Add shebang and strict mode 2. Create usage function 3. Implement argument parsing 4. Set up logging 5. Add cleanup handlers

Copy-Paste Prompts

Use @bash-defensive-patterns to implement strict mode and error handling

Phase 3: Core Implementation

Skills to Invoke

• bash-linux - Linux commands
• linux-shell-scripting - Shell scripting

Actions

1. Implement main functions 2. Add input validation 3. Create helper functions 4. Handle edge cases 5. Add progress indicators

Copy-Paste Prompts

Use @bash-linux to implement system commands

Phase 4: Error Handling

Skills to Invoke

• bash-defensive-patterns - Error handling
• error-handling-patterns - Error patterns

Actions

1. Add trap handlers 2. Implement retry logic 3. Create error messages 4. Set up exit codes 5. Add rollback capability

Copy-Paste Prompts

Use @bash-defensive-patterns to add comprehensive error handling

Phase 5: Logging

Skills to Invoke

• bash-pro - Logging patterns

Actions

1. Create logging function 2. Add log levels 3. Implement timestamps 4. Configure log rotation 5. Add debug mode

Copy-Paste Prompts

Use @bash-pro to implement structured logging

Phase 6: Testing

Skills to Invoke

• bats-testing-patterns - Bats testing
• shellcheck-configuration - ShellCheck

Actions

1. Write Bats tests 2. Run ShellCheck 3. Test edge cases 4. Verify error handling 5. Test with different inputs

Copy-Paste Prompts

Use @bats-testing-patterns to write script tests

Use @shellcheck-configuration to lint bash script

Phase 7: Documentation

Skills to Invoke

• documentation-templates - Documentation

Actions

1. Add script header 2. Document functions 3. Create usage examples 4. List dependencies 5. Add troubleshooting section

Copy-Paste Prompts

Use @documentation-templates to document bash script

Script Template

#!/usr/bin/env bash
set -euo pipefail

readonly SCRIPT_NAME=$(basename "$0")
readonly SCRIPT_DIR=$(cd "$(dirname "$0")" && pwd)

log() { echo "[$(date '+%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S')] $*"; }
error() { log "ERROR: $*" >&2; exit 1; }

usage() { cat <<EOF
Usage: $SCRIPT_NAME [OPTIONS]
Options:
    -h, --help      Show help
    -v, --verbose   Verbose output
EOF
}

main() {
    log "Script started"
    # Implementation
    log "Script completed"
}

main "$@"

Quality Gates

• [ ] ShellCheck passes
• [ ] Bats tests pass
• [ ] Error handling works
• [ ] Logging functional
• [ ] Documentation complete

Related Workflow Bundles

• os-scripting - OS scripting
• linux-troubleshooting - Linux troubleshooting
• cloud-devops - DevOps automation

Limitations

• Use this skill only when the task clearly matches the scope described above.
• Do not treat the output as a substitute for environment-specific validation, testing, or expert review.
• Stop and ask for clarification if required inputs, permissions, safety boundaries, or success criteria are missing.