Bash Scripting Workflow

Overview

Specialized workflow for creating robust, production-ready bash scripts with defensive programming patterns, comprehensive error handling, and automated testing.

When to Use This Workflow

Use this workflow when:

• Creating automation scripts

• Writing system administration tools

• Building deployment scripts

• Developing backup solutions

• Creating CI/CD scripts

Workflow Phases

Phase 1: Script Design

#### Skills to Invoke

• bash-pro - Professional scripting

• bash-defensive-patterns - Defensive patterns

#### Actions

• Define script purpose

• Identify inputs/outputs

• Plan error handling

• Design logging strategy

• Document requirements

#### Copy-Paste Prompts

Use @bash-pro to design production-ready bash script

Phase 2: Script Structure

#### Skills to Invoke

• bash-pro - Script structure

• bash-defensive-patterns - Safety patterns

#### Actions

• Add shebang and strict mode

• Create usage function

• Implement argument parsing

• Set up logging

• Add cleanup handlers

#### Copy-Paste Prompts

Use @bash-defensive-patterns to implement strict mode and error handling

Phase 3: Core Implementation

#### Skills to Invoke

• bash-linux - Linux commands

• linux-shell-scripting - Shell scripting

#### Actions

• Implement main functions

• Add input validation

• Create helper functions

• Handle edge cases

• Add progress indicators

#### Copy-Paste Prompts

Use @bash-linux to implement system commands

Phase 4: Error Handling

#### Skills to Invoke

• bash-defensive-patterns - Error handling

• error-handling-patterns - Error patterns

#### Actions

• Add trap handlers

• Implement retry logic

• Create error messages

• Set up exit codes

• Add rollback capability

#### Copy-Paste Prompts

Use @bash-defensive-patterns to add comprehensive error handling

Phase 5: Logging

#### Skills to Invoke

• bash-pro - Logging patterns

#### Actions

• Create logging function

• Add log levels

• Implement timestamps

• Configure log rotation

• Add debug mode

#### Copy-Paste Prompts

Use @bash-pro to implement structured logging

Phase 6: Testing

#### Skills to Invoke

• bats-testing-patterns - Bats testing

• shellcheck-configuration - ShellCheck

#### Actions

• Write Bats tests

• Run ShellCheck

• Test edge cases

• Verify error handling

• Test with different inputs

#### Copy-Paste Prompts

Use @bats-testing-patterns to write script tests

Use @shellcheck-configuration to lint bash script

Phase 7: Documentation

#### Skills to Invoke

• documentation-templates - Documentation

#### Actions

• Add script header

• Document functions

• Create usage examples

• List dependencies

• Add troubleshooting section

#### Copy-Paste Prompts

Use @documentation-templates to document bash script

Script Template

#!/usr/bin/env bash

set -euo pipefail

readonly SCRIPT_NAME=$(basename "$0")

readonly SCRIPT_DIR=$(cd "$(dirname "$0")" && pwd)

log() { echo "[$(date '+%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S')] $*"; }

error() { log "ERROR: $*" >&2; exit 1; }

usage() { cat <<EOF

Usage: $SCRIPT_NAME [OPTIONS]

Options:

    -h, --help      Show help

    -v, --verbose   Verbose output

EOF

}

main() {

    log "Script started"

    # Implementation

    log "Script completed"

}

main "$@"

Quality Gates

• ShellCheck passes

• Bats tests pass

• Error handling works

• Logging functional

• Documentation complete

Related Workflow Bundles

• os-scripting - OS scripting

• linux-troubleshooting - Linux troubleshooting

• cloud-devops - DevOps automation

Limitations

• Use this skill only when the task clearly matches the scope described above.

• Do not treat the output as a substitute for environment-specific validation, testing, or expert review.

• Stop and ask for clarification if required inputs, permissions, safety boundaries, or success criteria are missing.