https://github.com/bab-sh/bab
Bab is a modern, dependency free task runner that simplifies development workflows. It replaces Makefiles and npm scripts with a universal solution that’s easy to use for small scripts but powerful enough to orchestrate hundreds of tasks, keeping your projects organized and maintainable.
https://github.com/bab-sh/bab
cli developer-tools project-tools task-runner workflow-tool
Last synced: 3 months ago
JSON representation
Bab is a modern, dependency free task runner that simplifies development workflows. It replaces Makefiles and npm scripts with a universal solution that’s easy to use for small scripts but powerful enough to orchestrate hundreds of tasks, keeping your projects organized and maintainable.
- Host: GitHub
- URL: https://github.com/bab-sh/bab
- Owner: bab-sh
- License: mit
- Created: 2025-10-03T16:51:38.000Z (9 months ago)
- Default Branch: main
- Last Pushed: 2026-03-06T20:00:49.000Z (4 months ago)
- Last Synced: 2026-03-06T21:10:08.729Z (4 months ago)
- Topics: cli, developer-tools, project-tools, task-runner, workflow-tool
- Language: Go
- Homepage: https://bab.sh
- Size: 899 KB
- Stars: 19
- Watchers: 1
- Forks: 0
- Open Issues: 0
-
Metadata Files:
- Readme: README.md
- License: LICENSE
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Bab
Clean commands for any project.
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[](https://github.com/bab-sh/bab)
[](https://discord.bab.sh)
[Website](https://bab.sh) • [Documentation](https://docs.bab.sh) • [Discord](https://discord.bab.sh)
---
**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
```bash
# 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](https://docs.bab.sh/guide/installation).
Create a `Babfile.yml` in your project root:
```yaml
# Global variables — supports references and env access
vars:
app_name: myapp
version: "1.0.0"
base_dir: ./src
build_dir: ${{ base_dir }}/build
home: ${{ env.HOME }}
# Global environment variables — passed to all commands
env:
APP_NAME: ${{ app_name }}
NODE_ENV: production
# Global defaults
silent: false
output: true
dir: ./project
# Import tasks from other Babfiles (namespaced)
includes:
utils:
babfile: ./tools/Babfile.yml
tasks:
setup:
desc: Install dependencies
silent: true
output: false
run:
- cmd: npm install
lint:
desc: Run linter
dir: ./frontend
run:
- cmd: npm run lint
test:unit:
desc: Run unit tests
alias: t
deps: [setup]
env:
CI: "true"
run:
- cmd: npm test
test:all:
desc: Run all checks in parallel
run:
- parallel:
- task: lint
- task: test:unit
mode: interleaved
ci:
desc: Full CI pipeline
run:
- parallel:
- task: lint
label: lint
- task: test:unit
label: tests
- cmd: npm run build
label: build
mode: grouped
limit: 2
color: false
configure:
desc: Interactive project configuration
run:
# Confirm prompt
- prompt: proceed
type: confirm
message: "Configure the project?"
default: true
# Input prompt with validation
- prompt: project_name
type: input
message: "Project name:"
default: myapp
placeholder: "my-project"
validate: "^[a-z][a-z0-9-]+$"
when: ${{ proceed }}
# Select prompt
- prompt: environment
type: select
message: "Select environment:"
options: [dev, staging, prod]
default: dev
when: ${{ proceed }}
# Multiselect prompt with min/max
- prompt: features
type: multiselect
message: "Select features:"
options: [auth, api, ui, analytics]
defaults: [auth, api]
min: 1
max: 3
when: ${{ proceed }}
# Number prompt with range
- prompt: replicas
type: number
message: "Number of replicas:"
default: 3
min: 1
max: 10
when: ${{ proceed }}
# Password prompt with confirmation
- prompt: api_key
type: password
message: "Enter API key:"
confirm: true
when: ${{ proceed }}
platforms: [linux, darwin]
- log: "Configured ${{ project_name }} for ${{ environment }}"
level: info
when: ${{ proceed }}
build:
desc: Build ${{ app_name }} v${{ version }}
alias: b
aliases: [bld, compile]
deps: [lint, test:unit]
vars:
output_path: ${{ build_dir }}/${{ app_name }}
run:
- log: Building ${{ app_name }}...
level: debug
- cmd: npm run build
dir: ./frontend
env:
BUILD_OUTPUT: ${{ output_path }}
silent: true
output: true
- cmd: cp -r dist ${{ output_path }}
platforms: [linux, darwin]
- cmd: xcopy dist ${{ output_path }} /E
platforms: [windows]
- log: Build complete!
level: info
deploy:
desc: Deploy to ${{ env.DEPLOY_ENV }}
when: ${{ environment }} != 'dev'
deps: [build]
run:
- log: Deploying ${{ app_name }} to ${{ env.DEPLOY_ENV }}...
level: warn
- cmd: ./scripts/deploy.sh
env:
VERSION: ${{ version }}
when: ${{ environment }} == 'staging'
- cmd: ./scripts/deploy-prod.sh
env:
VERSION: ${{ version }}
when: ${{ environment }} == 'prod'
- task: utils:notify
when: ${{ environment }} == 'prod'
- log: "Use $${{ var }} for literal syntax"
level: debug
```
Run your tasks:
```bash
bab # Browse tasks interactively
bab --list # List all available tasks
bab build # Build the application
bab b # Same as above (using alias)
bab bld # Also works (multiple aliases)
bab t # Run tests (using alias)
bab utils:setup # Run included task
```
## Support
- 💬 [Discord](https://discord.bab.sh) - Questions and discussions
- 📚 [Documentation](https://docs.bab.sh) - Comprehensive guides
- 🐛 [Issues](https://github.com/bab-sh/bab/issues) - Bug reports and feature requests
## Acknowledgments
Bab stands on the shoulders of giants. Special thanks to:
- [Task](https://taskfile.dev) - The modern task runner that inspired Bab's approach
- [Charm](https://charm.sh) - For their beautiful terminal UI libraries that make Bab a joy to use
---
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