ara-CLI
Open-source CLI for agile requirements management with AI power
ara-CLI is a lean terminal tool (MIT Open Source) for development teams. It manages requirements and work packages as linked information on a file basis – from business goals through features and user stories to tasks with individual to-dos. This keeps your specification consistent and your task backlog always traceable. Because requirements and work descriptions are linked together in a value-based hierarchy, ara-CLI also provides the perfect platform for using AI to create application code and automated tests from them. All the information required for a successful prompt can be compiled effortlessly.
Why developers use ara-CLI
More structure, more efficiency, more quality – directly in the terminal
Sorted dependencies
Specification → Stories → Tasks cleanly structured instead of backlog chaos. Clear reference from work instructions to specification.
Behavior-driven development
Apply BDD practically and fully exploit the advantage of structured feature files for software specification and in the sense of a testable specification.
Traceability without extra tooling
Relationships remain consistently traceable – from requirement to code.
Efficient AI support
Prompt templates and chat for refining and documenting new and routine tasks – directly in the terminal.
Quality per command
ara-CLI detects inconsistencies and can resolve them automatically and traceably.
High degree of automation
Built-in AI and script support for maximum efficiency.
How to work with ara-CLI
From requirement to code in five steps
Create artifacts
Capture business goals, capabilities, key features, features, examples, epics, user stories and tasks.
Build structure
Link artifacts, maintain status and responsibilities.
Elaborate with support
Use prompt templates and chat for specification, refinement and documentation.
Ensure consistency
Use preconfigured commands such as “scan” and “autofix” to refine and tighten structure.
Generate code
Use prompt templates and chat to create executable code and automated tests from requirements.
Typical use cases
ara-CLI supports you in all phases of software development
Requirements engineering
Capture specifications in a structured way and keep them versionable.
Backlog refinement
Consistently derive and maintain user stories and tasks.
Documentation
Create content with templates and summarize changes.
Quality & traceability
Check artifact structure, identify gaps and contradictions early.
Automated code generation
Generate code and tests directly from structured requirements with AI.
Key commands at a glance
ara-CLI offers a clear, focused command-line interface
- →create – Create new artifacts (goals, features, stories, tasks)
- →list – Overview of all artifacts and their status
- →chat – AI-supported assistance for refinement and documentation
- →scan – Check artifact structure for inconsistencies
- →autofix – Resolve identified problems automatically and traceably
Technical specifications
- ✓Python 3.8+ · Linux · macOS · Windows
- ✓Open Source (MIT)
- ✓CLI-first, scriptable, CI/CD-suitable
- ✓File-based – no database required
- ✓Seamlessly integrates into existing development environments
- ✓Flexibly configurable via ara_config
Quick to get started:
pip install ara-cli