Show Me How

If that fails, ask the user to open the ShowMeHow app first.

Useful app/build paths

• Main packaged app: bundle-output/mac-arm64/ShowMeHow.app
• Package command: cd app && npm run dist
• Dev build only: cd app && npm run build

If testing packaged behavior after a rebuild, fully quit the app and reopen the packaged app.

Core CLI commands

Health check

node app/bin/smh-cli.mjs health

List projects

node app/bin/smh-cli.mjs projects
node app/bin/smh-cli.mjs projects --json

Open a project

node app/bin/smh-cli.mjs open-project eyj
node app/bin/smh-cli.mjs open-project 1

Read the current script from the app

node app/bin/smh-cli.mjs get-script
node app/bin/smh-cli.mjs get-script --json

Push a script into the app

From a file:

node app/bin/smh-cli.mjs push-script path/to/demo.smh

From stdin:

cat path/to/demo.smh | node app/bin/smh-cli.mjs push-script --stdin

Load the app sample

node app/bin/smh-cli.mjs load-sample

Validate and play

node app/bin/smh-cli.mjs validate
node app/bin/smh-cli.mjs play
node app/bin/smh-cli.mjs pause
node app/bin/smh-cli.mjs resume
node app/bin/smh-cli.mjs restart
node app/bin/smh-cli.mjs stop
node app/bin/smh-cli.mjs next-step

Note: play can still be less reliable from the CLI on long-running or interrupted sessions. If it times out, validate/push via CLI and press Play in the app manually.

Read app state

node app/bin/smh-cli.mjs state
node app/bin/smh-cli.mjs state --json

Recommended workflow for the agent

1. Check the app is reachable.

   node app/bin/smh-cli.mjs health
   

2. List projects.

   node app/bin/smh-cli.mjs projects
   

3. Open the target project.

   node app/bin/smh-cli.mjs open-project eyj
   

4. Write or update a .smh script in the repo or a temp file.
5. Push it into the running app.

   node app/bin/smh-cli.mjs push-script my-script.smh
   

6. Validate it.

   node app/bin/smh-cli.mjs validate
   

7. If valid, play it.

   node app/bin/smh-cli.mjs play
   

Script authoring rules for the current prototype

When editing UI code or adding any new visual control while working on ShowMeHow itself, also keep the dev-mode overlay labels up to date.

Read the DSL notes in references/smh-dsl.md.

Use these commands heavily

• meta({...})
• layout("two-column")
• new_panel(id, "code")
• focus_panel(id)
• open_code(id, "relative/path.php", line)
• highlight_lines(id, startLine, endLine)
• select_code_line(id, line, startCol?)
• select_code(id, line, startCol, endCol) only when you need a precise subrange
• clear_code_selection(id)
• pause(seconds)
• tts(text)
• note(text)

Good script style

• Prefer relative paths from the selected project root.
• Use two code panels max unless a third is truly necessary.
• Use highlight_lines() to move attention between blocks.
• Use select_code_line() for important single-line callouts.
• Keep TTS short and explanatory.
• Add pause() between major moments.
• Put the most relevant file in the focused panel.
• Use vendor Laravel files when they clarify framework behavior.

Example operator loop

node app/bin/smh-cli.mjs open-project eyj
node app/bin/smh-cli.mjs push-script auth-walkthrough.smh
node app/bin/smh-cli.mjs validate
node app/bin/smh-cli.mjs play

References

• CLI reference
• SMH DSL reference