- How do I install CliMenuBundle with Composer?
- Install it with Composer using the package name philetaylor/climenubundle. Because it is a Symfony bundle, you will also need to register it in your Symfony application's bundle configuration. Check the repository for the exact registration namespace and any version constraints before adding it to an existing project.
- Does CliMenuBundle work with Laravel artisan commands?
- CliMenuBundle is built as a Symfony bundle, so it is not a native Laravel package and does not include a Laravel service provider. Laravel's artisan commands are built on the Symfony Console component, so the underlying menu concepts may be adaptable, but the bundle integration itself is Symfony-specific. For a Laravel application, you would need to adapt the menu rendering logic or use Laravel-native prompt tools instead.
- How do I add an interactive menu to an existing Symfony console command?
- You define the menu as a simple array and render it from inside your existing Symfony Console command. The bundle integrates with the Console component so you do not need to manually parse keyboard input or build your own selection loop. This keeps your command logic clean while adding guided choices, confirmations, and sub-menus.
- Can CliMenuBundle handle nested sub-menus and selectable actions?
- Yes, the package supports nested sub-menus and selectable actions from array-based menu definitions. You can guide users through multiple levels of choices without requiring them to remember long option flags. Each menu item can lead to another menu or trigger the action associated with your command.
- How does keyboard navigation work in CliMenuBundle menus?
- Menus are keyboard-driven: users navigate with the arrow keys and confirm a selection with Enter. This avoids manual input parsing and gives terminal users a consistent interactive experience. The menu rendering is handled by the bundle inside your existing console command.
- Is CliMenuBundle lightweight and dependency-free?
- The overview describes CliMenuBundle as lightweight with dependency-free menu rendering. That means the menu interaction layer does not pull in a large set of extra runtime libraries beyond your Symfony Console setup. You should still review its Composer requirements to confirm compatibility with your project's PHP and Symfony versions.
- Can I use CliMenuBundle in production console tools?
- It can be used in production console tools, but you should test your specific commands and menu flows before deploying. Because the menus are interactive, verify behavior in non-interactive environments such as CI pipelines or cron jobs. Also confirm that your Symfony version and terminal environment are supported by the package constraints.
- How do I test console commands that use interactive menus?
- Test the underlying command logic separately from the interactive menu layer where possible. For integration tests, simulate keyboard input through Symfony's console tester or command input streams. Keep menu definitions small and deterministic so you can assert expected selections and sub-menu navigation.
- What are alternatives to CliMenuBundle for interactive PHP CLI menus?
- Alternatives include Symfony Console's built-in helpers such as QuestionHelper, Laravel Prompts for Laravel applications, and other standalone terminal menu libraries. CliMenuBundle is focused specifically on array-defined, keyboard-driven menus inside Symfony Console commands. Choose based on whether you need native Laravel support, Symfony bundle integration, or a framework-agnostic solution.
- Is CliMenuBundle actively maintained and compatible with current Symfony versions?
- The provided overview does not list Symfony version constraints or a maintenance schedule, so check the GitHub repository and Packagist release history directly. Confirm the required Symfony Console version and PHP version before installing it in a current application. For long-term projects, review recent commits and open issues to assess ongoing maintenance.