Matrix Code

Why I love our CLI tool

At func(live) we're building a library of functions that you can use anywhere without having to worry about complicated pricing models and detailed API docs.

The key idea is to make the same function available in many places and having it always behave the same.

So you can run our functions in Node.js, Python, Ruby, via API, on our website and in Google Sheets.

But the one "channel" that I love most is a random one that we almost deprioritised: A Command Line Tool.

Here are the 3 reasons I think it's great:

1. It copies to the Clipboard

The CLI copies the output of your function to the clipboard. So for a ton of utility functions I just get the return value right where I need it: Ready to paste.

e.g. running func textToCron "every monday at quarter to five pm" puts 45 16 * * 1 in my clipboard. Lovely.

2. Quickly browsing functions

Our library has 142 functions now and I keep forgetting what exactly is available and what exactly we called each function.

But if you just type func on the command line you can search through the library.

Here's how I found the describeImage function that uses OpenAI to return a description of an image:

run func on the command line
type image
down arrow to select the one

3. Goes the extra mile on images

Some functions, like func dalle3 "super powerful code running in the style of the film The Matrix" return images.

(That's how I made the image at the top btw)

If the output is an image, three things happen:

It automatically opens the browser to show you the image
It downloads the image to your Downloads folder in case you need it locally
It copies the URL of the image to your clipboard, ready to paste

What a time saver!

Try it yourself!

To try it yourself. Download the CLI with:

> npm i func-live-cli -g
> _

and then use it like so:

> func dalle3 "a zebra juggling bananas"
> _

To browse the available functions, just run func on the command line or visit https://func.live

Let's chat 💬

I hope you found that useful, and would love to hear your thoughts. What tools bring you joy? Email me on andi@wakeflow.io or whatsapp me on +447500172268.

All the best, Andi