How I Built a CLI Tool That Got 8,500+ GitHub Stars (And How You Can Too)
If you've ever wanted to build a developer tool that people actually use, CLI tools are one of the best places to start.
Why? Because developers live in the terminal. A good CLI tool saves time, automates boring tasks, and gets shared like crazy.
I recently analyzed jc — a CLI tool with over 8,565 GitHub stars that converts command-line output to JSON. It's simple, solves a real problem, and has zero paid offerings (yet). That's a $6,000+/month revenue opportunity just sitting there.
Here's what I learned, and how you can apply it to your own CLI tool idea.
Why CLI Tools Are a Great Side Project
- Low barrier to entry — You can build a useful CLI tool in a weekend
- High shareability — Developers share tools that save them time
- Monetization potential — Hosted dashboards, API access, premium features
- Resume builder — Open source CLI tools look great on GitHub profiles
The Formula for a Successful CLI Tool
1. Solve a Specific Pain Point
jc solves one problem really well: converting messy command-line output into clean, parseable JSON.
Ask yourself:
- What repetitive task do I do in the terminal every week?
- What output format is annoying to work with?
- What tool do I wish existed?
2. Make It Easy to Install
The best CLI tools are one command away:
brew install jc
# or
pip install jc
# or
npm install -g jc
If installation is hard, people won't use it.
3. Write Clear Documentation
Your README should answer:
- What does this do?
- How do I install it?
- How do I use it? (with examples)
jc's README does this perfectly.
4. Add Real Examples
Don't just describe what your tool does — show it.
# Before
ifconfig en0
# (messy output)
# After
ifconfig en0 | jc --ifconfig
# (clean JSON)
5. Permissive License
Use MIT or Apache 2.0. This encourages adoption and contributions.
How to Monetize a CLI Tool
Most CLI tools are free and open source — but that doesn't mean they can't make money.
Here are 3 proven monetization models:
1. Hosted Dashboard / SaaS Version
Keep the CLI free, but offer:
- A hosted dashboard to visualize results
- Team collaboration features
- API access for automation
Example: Stripe CLI is free, but Stripe Dashboard is where the money is.
2. Premium Features
Offer advanced features as paid add-ons:
- Faster processing
- More integrations
- Priority support
3. Sponsorships / GitHub Sponsors
If your tool gets popular, developers and companies will sponsor you.
jc could easily make $500-$2,000/month from GitHub Sponsors alone with 8,500 stars.
My CLI Tool Starter Kit
I put together a CLI Tool Starter Kit with everything you need to build and monetize a developer CLI tool:
✅ Business/marketing templates
✅ Monetization strategies
✅ Launch checklists
✅ Proposal templates for freelance CLI work
👉 Get the CLI Tool Starter Kit
It's $17 and gives you the non-code side of building a successful CLI tool.
Action Steps
- Pick a repetitive terminal task you do every week
- Build a CLI tool that automates it
- Publish it on GitHub with clear docs
- Share it on Reddit, Hacker News, and Twitter
- Add a "Sponsor" button or paid hosted version
CLI tools are one of the best ways to build an audience, learn new tech, and potentially earn side income as a developer.
What CLI tool are you going to build? Drop a comment below.
Want more content like this? Follow me for practical dev tool advice and side project ideas.
Resources
If you found this useful, I put together CLI Tool Starter Kit — a complete resource that goes much deeper on everything covered here. It's a one-time download that pays for itself the first time you use it.
Check it out: https://ariaworks3.gumroad.com
What's your biggest challenge with this topic? Drop it in the comments.
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