Bab

Clean commands for any project.

Website • Documentation • Discord

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Bab is a modern task runner that replaces the clunky syntax of Makefiles and the limitations of npm scripts with a universal, dependency-free solution that works across any language or project.

Quick Start

# macOS / Linux
curl -sSfL https://bab.sh/install.sh | sh

# Windows (PowerShell)
iwr -useb https://bab.sh/install.ps1 | iex

For more installation options, see the Installation Documentation.

Create a Babfile.yml in your project root:

vars:
  app_name: myapp
  version: "1.0.0"
  build_dir: ./build

env:
  APP_NAME: ${{ app_name }}
  NODE_ENV: production

tasks:
  setup:
    desc: Install dependencies
    run:
      - cmd: npm install

  lint:
    desc: Run linter
    run:
      - cmd: npm run lint

  test:unit:
    desc: Run unit tests
    deps: [setup]
    run:
      - cmd: npm test

  test:all:
    desc: Run all tests
    run:
      - task: test:unit
      - log: All tests passed!
        level: info

  configure:
    desc: Configure build options
    run:
      - prompt: environment
        type: select
        message: "Select environment:"
        options: [dev, staging, prod]
        default: dev
      - log: Building for ${{ environment }}

  build:
    desc: Build ${{ app_name }} v${{ version }}
    deps: [lint, test:unit]
    vars:
      output: ${{ build_dir }}/${{ app_name }}
    run:
      - log: Building ${{ app_name }}...
      - cmd: npm run build
      - cmd: cp -r dist ${{ output }}
        platforms: [linux, darwin]
      - cmd: xcopy dist ${{ output }} /E
        platforms: [windows]
      - log: Build complete!
        level: info

  deploy:
    desc: Deploy to ${{ env.DEPLOY_ENV }}
    deps: [build]
    run:
      - log: Deploying ${{ app_name }} to ${{ env.DEPLOY_ENV }}...
        level: warn
      - cmd: ./scripts/deploy.sh
        env:
          VERSION: ${{ version }}

Run your tasks:

bab                  # Browse tasks interactively
bab --list           # List all available tasks
bab build            # Build the application

Support

• 💬 Discord - Questions and discussions
• 📚 Documentation - Comprehensive guides
• 🐛 Issues - Bug reports and feature requests

Acknowledgments

Bab stands on the shoulders of giants. Special thanks to:

• Task - The modern task runner that inspired Bab's approach
• Charm - For their beautiful terminal UI libraries that make Bab a joy to use

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