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Temporal CLI

Temporal CLI

3
posts
2021–2023

The Temporal CLI has been unified into a single `temporal` command-line tool, combining the functionality of `tctl` and `temporalite`. This new CLI simplifies development and testing by allowing users to run a local development server and interact with Temporal Servers. It offers features like installing via cURL or Homebrew, starting a development server with data persistence options, and interacting with workflows, activities, task queues, and schedules. The CLI also supports managing different output formats (tables, JSON, cards), piping output to other tools, and customizable timestamp formatting. This post details ongoing RFCs and community input for further CLI improvements.

2023

Using the Temporal CLI

4/27/2023

This post introduces the unified Temporal CLI, which combines `tctl` and `temporalite` into a single `temporal` command. It details installation methods (cURL, Homebrew, manual), how to start a development server (`temporal server start-dev`) with and without data persistence, and how to interact with the server using commands like `temporal workflow start`, `list`, and `describe`. It also explains how to configure and use environments for connecting to different Temporal instances (e.g., Temporal Cloud) and provides examples of shell aliases and auto-completion. The post highlights key upgrades from `tctl`, including changes in pagination, output formatting, command naming, and the introduction of the `env` feature.

The foundation of the new Temporal CLI experience

3/30/2023

This post details the evolution of the Temporal CLI, starting from the initial 'single binary' concept to the development and eventual transfer of Temporalite from Datadog to Temporal. It highlights the technical challenges of creating a self-contained Temporal Cluster, including dependency management (Cassandra vs. SQLite for persistence, Elasticsearch for advanced visibility). The post announces the unification of Temporalite and the legacy `tctl` into a single `temporal` CLI, which now includes full support for Advanced Visibility and a next-generation `tctl` experience. Future plans include a guided onboarding experience.

2021

Temporal Transparency Update #11

7/8/2021

This post announces ongoing efforts to improve the Temporal CLI (`tctl`), making it more predictable, friendly, and easier to reason about. It highlights specific areas of improvement through RFCs, including consistent output formatting (tables, JSON, cards), the ability to pipe output to standard tools, and customizable timestamp formatting. It also mentions the merging of customizable defaults using a config file. The post emphasizes the need for community input on these changes.