Build a typed CLI from scratch with Commander.js + Zod

📰 Dev.to · Cris Mihalache

Learn to build a typed CLI from scratch using Commander.js and Zod, improving code quality and maintainability

intermediate Published 22 Apr 2026

Action Steps

Install Commander.js and Zod using npm or yarn to set up the project environment
Create a new TypeScript project and configure it to work with Commander.js and Zod
Define commands and options using Commander.js and validate them with Zod
Implement command handlers and integrate them with the validated options
Test the CLI tool to ensure it works as expected and handles errors properly

Who Needs to Know This

This tutorial is beneficial for software engineers and developers who work with Node.js, TypeScript, and CLI tools, as it enhances their skills in building robust and maintainable command-line interfaces.

Key Insight

💡 Using Commander.js and Zod together enables you to create typed CLIs, which enhances code quality, maintainability, and reduces errors