Getting Started

meta is a zero-runtime-dependency (other than Typer), offline-first CLI that drops into any codebase and instantly surfaces what it is, how it's structured, and what you need to know. No AI, no internet required, no configuration needed.

Install

brew tap alkalescent/tap && brew install meta

See Installation for PyPI, source, and pre-built binary options.

Run It

From inside any project:

meta

This prints a one-screen overview: project type, language breakdown, size, dependency counts, discoverable scripts, expected environment variables, git status, and a health summary.

From there, drill into any area with a subcommand — meta deps, meta scripts, meta env, meta size, meta contributors, or meta health. Each one is documented under Commands.

Global Flags

Every command accepts the same global flags — --json for machine-readable output, --quiet for a condensed summary, --path to target a different directory, and more. See Configuration for the full list.