CLI Reference

Complete reference for the squads command-line tool.

npm install -g @squads-sh/cli

squads add <source>

Install a squad into your project from a GitHub repository or the marketplace. The squad is downloaded, validated, and placed in your project's squads directory.

Usage
squads add <github-user/repo> [options]
Options
--dir <path>Target directory for installation (default: ./squads)
--branch <name>Git branch to install from (default: main)
--forceOverwrite existing squad if already installed
Examples

Install from GitHub

squads add acme/design-system-squad

Install to a custom directory

squads add acme/api-squad --dir ./my-squads

Install from a specific branch

squads add acme/dev-squad --branch develop

squads find [query]

Search the marketplace for squads by keyword, category, or tag. Returns a list of matching squads with install counts and ratings.

Usage
squads find [query] [options]
Options
--limit <n>Maximum number of results (default: 20)
--sort <field>Sort by: relevance, installs, rating, newest
--category <name>Filter by category
Examples

Search by keyword

squads find "design system"

Search with sorting

squads find api --sort installs

Browse all squads (no query)

squads find --sort newest --limit 10

squads list

List all squads installed in the current project. Shows name, version, agent count, and installation path.

Usage
squads list [options]
Options
--jsonOutput in JSON format
--verboseShow detailed information for each squad
Examples

List installed squads

squads list

List in JSON format for scripting

squads list --json

squads check

Validate all installed squads. Checks for structural integrity, missing files, broken cross-references, and outdated versions.

Usage
squads check [options]
Options
--fixAttempt to auto-fix common issues
--strictFail on warnings (not just errors)
Examples

Run validation

squads check

Validate and auto-fix

squads check --fix

squads update [squad]

Update one or all installed squads to their latest version. Without a squad name, updates all squads.

Usage
squads update [squad-name] [options]
Options
--dry-runShow what would be updated without making changes
--forceForce update even if local modifications exist
Examples

Update all squads

squads update

Update a specific squad

squads update design-system-squad

Preview updates

squads update --dry-run

squads remove <squad>

Remove an installed squad from your project. Cleans up the squad directory and any synced slash commands.

Usage
squads remove <squad-name> [options]
Options
--keep-configPreserve configuration files after removal
--forceSkip confirmation prompt
Examples

Remove a squad

squads remove old-squad

Remove without confirmation

squads remove old-squad --force

squads init [name]

Initialize a new squad project with scaffolding. Creates the directory structure, squad.yaml, and starter agent/task/workflow files.

Usage
squads init [name] [options]
Options
--template <name>Use a starter template (minimal, standard, full)
--preset <name>Apply a domain preset (api, frontend, devops)
Examples

Create a new squad

squads init my-squad

Use a template

squads init my-squad --template standard

Initialize in the current directory

squads init

squads publish [path]

Publish a squad to the marketplace. The squad is validated, a security audit is triggered, and it becomes discoverable by the community.

Usage
squads publish [path] [options]
Options
--access <level>Visibility: public or private (default: public)
--tag <version>Publish with a specific version tag
--dry-runValidate without actually publishing
Examples

Publish the current directory

squads publish

Publish a specific squad

squads publish ./squads/my-squad

Dry run to validate before publishing

squads publish --dry-run

squads login

Authenticate with squads.sh using your GitHub account. Required before publishing squads.

Usage
squads login [options]
Options
--token <token>Authenticate with an API token instead of OAuth
Examples

Login via GitHub OAuth

squads login

Login with an API token

squads login --token sk_live_abc123
CLI Reference — SQUADS