Question 1

How to define subcommands in lua_cliargs?

Accepted Answer

Use the API to define commands with names and handlers; see examples/04_commands--git.lua. Each command can parse its own arguments, and options can be placed before or after the command name.

Question 2

lua_cliargs vs argparse for Lua – which is better?

Accepted Answer

lua_cliargs offers more built-in features like automatic help and flexible notation, while argparse is often simpler. Choose lua_cliargs for robust validation and command support, argparse for minimalistic needs.

Question 3

Can lua_cliargs load defaults from environment variables?

Accepted Answer

Not directly; you must programmatically read env vars and use cli:load_defaults() to set them, as the library focuses on command-line parsing without native environment integration.

Question 4

How to customize the help output in lua_cliargs?

Accepted Answer

Use cli:print_help() with the noprint parameter to retrieve the help string, then modify it before printing. The library provides basic formatting but allows manual adjustments for styling.

Question 5

What breaking changes should I watch for in lua_cliargs 3.0?

Accepted Answer

Key changes include options appearing anywhere, support for = delimiter in short keys, and command additions. Refer to the UPGRADE guide in the README to update existing code safely.

Question 6

Is lua_cliargs good for parsing nested or repeated options?

Accepted Answer

It handles splat arguments for variable-length input and multiple-value options via lists, but for complex nesting, you may need custom logic as command support is basic and not deeply hierarchical.

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