CLI Examples¶

Creating Mimeograms¶

Basic File Bundling¶

Bundle specific files into a mimeogram:

# Bundle Python files from src directory
mimeogram create src/*.py

# Bundle multiple file types
mimeogram create src/*.py tests/*.py README.rst

# Bundle with recursion into directories
mimeogram create --recurse-directories=True src/ tests/

By default, the mimeogram will be copied to the clipboard. To print to stdout instead:

# Print to stdout instead of copying to clipboard
mimeogram create --clipboard=False src/*.py

Adding Context¶

Add a message to provide context to the LLM:

# Opens your default editor for message input
mimeogram create --edit-message src/*.py

For LLM interfaces without project support, include format instructions:

# Add format instructions before mimeogram
mimeogram create --prepend-prompt src/*.py

# Combine with message
mimeogram create --edit-message --prepend-prompt src/*.py

Applying Mimeograms¶

Non-Interactive Application¶

Apply changes without review (suitable for scripts or CI):

# Apply from clipboard (default)
mimeogram apply

# Apply from stdin
mimeogram apply --clipboard=False

# Apply from file
mimeogram apply --clipboard=False changes.mimeogram

# Apply to different base directory
mimeogram apply --base-directory /path/to/project

Interactive Review¶

By default, when running on a terminal, mimeogram will enter interactive review mode. For each file, you’ll see a menu like this:

src/example.py [2.5K]
Action? (a)pply, (d)iff, (e)dit, (i)gnore, (s)elect hunks, (v)iew >

Available actions:

a: Apply the changes as-is
d: Show diff between current and proposed content
e: Edit the proposed content
i: Skip this file
s: Interactively select which changes to apply
v: View the proposed content

For protected paths, you’ll see a modified menu:

~/.config/sensitive.conf [1.2K] [PROTECTED]
Action? (d)iff, (i)gnore, (p)ermit changes, (v)iew >

The p option lets you override protection for that specific file.

Using the Hunk Selector¶

When using the s (select hunks) option, you’ll review each change block:

@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 def example():
-    return 42
+    """Example function with docstring."""
+    return 42

Apply this change? (y)es, (n)o, (v)iew >

This lets you cherry-pick specific changes within each file.

Setting Project Instructions¶

For LLM interfaces that support project-level instructions (like Claude.ai or ChatGPT), you can set up mimeogram format instructions once:

# Copy instructions to clipboard (default behavior)
mimeogram provide-prompt

# Print to stdout instead
mimeogram provide-prompt --clipboard=False

Then paste these into your project instructions. All subsequent chats will understand mimeograms without needing to include the format instructions in each message.

Common Workflows¶

Code Review¶

When asking an LLM to review code:

# Bundle files with context
mimeogram create --edit-message src/*.py tests/*.py

# Paste into LLM chat
# ... interact with LLM ...

# Apply suggested changes interactively
mimeogram apply

Project Setup¶

When getting help setting up a new project:

# Set format instructions in project
mimeogram provide-prompt
# Paste into project instructions

# Send current project state
mimeogram create --recurse-directories=True .
# Paste into chat

# Apply scaffolding interactively
mimeogram apply

Bug Investigation¶

When getting help with a bug:

# Bundle relevant files with explanation
mimeogram create --edit-message src/buggy.py tests/test_buggy.py

# After LLM suggests fixes
mimeogram apply

# Select specific hunks if the fix is partially correct
# Use 's' in the interactive menu