feat(bonfire): Artisan help, examples, JSON listing and error hints

- help <command> and <command> --help print Description, Usage,
  Arguments, Options with defaults, Global options, Help and Examples
- Command.Examples and Command.Hidden (appended, additive); list --all
  shows hidden commands, list --format=json prints a bonfire.Listing
- CheckDocs reports commands lacking description, long help, examples or
  argument and option descriptions
- Error block with the ERROR badge, WithHint explanation and Try lines
  ({bin} replaced), cobra suggestions as Try, -v error chain, messages
  scrubbed by sunscreen; Reported errors print nothing and exit 1

docs/console/introduction.md

@@ -62,10 +62,16 @@ Both programs list their commands with no arguments, with `--help` and with `lis
 ```sh
 summer
 summer make:model --help
+summer help migrate
 ./bin/acme --help
 ./bin/acme migrate:rollback --help
+./bin/acme help migrate:rollback
+./bin/acme list --all
+./bin/acme list --format=json
 ```
 
+A command's help shows its description, usage, arguments, options with their defaults, the global options, the long help and examples. `list --all` includes hidden commands, and `list --format=json` prints every command with its arguments, options and examples for scripts and agents.
+
 A command that `summer` delegates to the application binary, such as `summer serve`, answers `--help` with the binary's own help, so run it inside an application directory. Asking the help command of `summer` about a delegated command instead prints a short description and its common flags without running the binary.
 
 ### Global options

docs/console/writing-commands.md

@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ A `bonfire.Command` has a name, a description, its positional arguments and flag
 - Each `bonfire.Arg` is a positional argument with a name, a description and a `Required` marker. The usage line shows required arguments as `<name>` and optional ones as `[name]`.
 - Each `bonfire.Flag` is a string flag. Set `bonfire.Flag.Bare` for a switch such as `--dry-run` that stores `true` when given alone, and `bonfire.Flag.Repeatable` for a flag that can be given several times.
 - `bonfire.Command.Run` receives the context, a `bonfire.Input` and a `bonfire.Output`.
-- `bonfire.Command.Long` is optional extended help shown by the help command; without it the description is shown. Set `bonfire.Command.Passthrough` for a command that forwards to another program: flag parsing is turned off, so every argument after the command name, including `--help`, `-h` and `--`, reaches `bonfire.Input.Args` unchanged. Declared flags then appear in the usage text only, and declared arguments are not count-checked.
+- `bonfire.Command.Long` is optional extended help, shown under "Help:" by `help <command>` and `<command> --help`. `bonfire.Command.Examples` and `bonfire.Command.Hidden` are described below. Set `bonfire.Command.Passthrough` for a command that forwards to another program: flag parsing is turned off, so every argument after the command name, including `--help`, `-h` and `--`, reaches `bonfire.Input.Args` unchanged. Declared flags then appear in the usage text only, and declared arguments are not count-checked.
 
 Read arguments with `bonfire.Input.Argument`, scalar and bare flags with `bonfire.Input.Flag`, and repeatable flags with `bonfire.Input.Flags`, which returns the values in the order given:
 
@@ -60,7 +60,133 @@ A scaffolded plugin's `Commands` method returns the generated list of everything
 - widgets: `bonfire.Output.Table`, `bonfire.Output.Spinner` around a function and `bonfire.Output.Progress` for a progress bar, which fall back to plain lines when the output is not a terminal;
 - prompts: `bonfire.Output.Ask`, `bonfire.Output.Confirm`, `bonfire.Output.Choice` and `bonfire.Output.Secret`. Prompts return their defaults when input ends, so a command run from cron or a script never hangs.
 
-Return an error from `Run` to fail the command. The binary prints it and exits with status 1.
+Return an error from `Run` to fail the command. The binary prints it as an error block on stderr and exits with status 1; see [Errors and hints](#errors-and-hints).
+
+## Examples and hidden commands
+
+`bonfire.Command.Examples` lists usage examples. Each `bonfire.Example` holds the command line without the binary and a short description; help prints the description as a `#` comment and the line after `bin/<name>` (or `summer` for the tool's own commands), so one example serves both. `bonfire.Command.Hidden` keeps a command that still runs out of the list; `list --all` and `list --format=json` show it:
+
+```go src=modules/bonfire/example_test.go#ExampleExample
+export := bonfire.Command{
+	Name:        "blog:export",
+	Description: "Export published posts as JSON",
+	Long:        "Writes every published post, newest first, to a JSON file.",
+	Flags: []bonfire.Flag{
+		{Name: "path", Description: "Output file", Default: "posts.json"},
+	},
+	Examples: []bonfire.Example{
+		{Command: "blog:export --path=backup.json", Description: "Export to another file"},
+	},
+	Run: func(ctx context.Context, in bonfire.Input, out bonfire.Output) error {
+		return nil
+	},
+}
+// Hidden commands run, but list shows them only with --all.
+cleanup := bonfire.Command{
+	Name:        "blog:cleanup",
+	Description: "Remove orphaned uploads",
+	Hidden:      true,
+}
+
+root, err := bonfire.NewRootIO("acme", []bonfire.Command{export, cleanup}, strings.NewReader(""), os.Stdout, os.Stdout)
+if err != nil {
+	fmt.Println(err)
+	return
+}
+bonfire.Execute(context.Background(), root, []string{"help", "blog:export"})
+// Output:
+// Description:
+//   Export published posts as JSON
+//
+// Usage:
+//   blog:export [options]
+//
+// Options:
+//       --path=PATH  Output file [default: "posts.json"]
+//
+// Global options:
+//   -h, --help            Display help for the given command
+//   -q, --quiet           Do not output any message
+//   -v|vv|vvv             Increase verbosity
+//       --ansi|no-ansi    Force (or disable) ANSI output
+//   -n, --no-interaction  Do not ask any interactive question
+//       --env             The environment the command runs under
+//
+// Help:
+//   Writes every published post, newest first, to a JSON file.
+//
+// Examples:
+//   # Export to another file
+//   bin/acme blog:export --path=backup.json
+```
+
+`list --format=json` prints every command with its arguments, options (with defaults) and examples as a `bonfire.Listing`, for documentation checks, scripts and agents. `bonfire.Describe` builds the same listing from a command slice.
+
+## Errors and hints
+
+When `Run` returns an error, the binary prints a block on stderr: the ERROR badge and the message, then "Run with -v for details.". With `-v` the block lists the wrapped errors under "Caused by:" instead. Messages pass through `sunscreen.Scrub`, so a token inside an error text is not printed.
+
+Wrap an error with `bonfire.WithHint` to explain it and to say what to run next. `{bin}` in the Try text becomes `bin/<name>` or `summer`, so the hint names the right program:
+
+```go src=modules/bonfire/example_test.go#ExampleWithHint
+publish := bonfire.Command{
+	Name:        "blog:publish",
+	Description: "Publish a draft post",
+	Args:        []bonfire.Arg{{Name: "slug", Description: "Post slug", Required: true}},
+	Run: func(ctx context.Context, in bonfire.Input, out bonfire.Output) error {
+		slug, _ := in.Argument("slug")
+		return bonfire.WithHint(fmt.Errorf("blog: no draft named %q", slug),
+			"Only drafts can be published; published posts keep their slug.",
+			"{bin} blog:drafts")
+	},
+}
+
+root, err := bonfire.NewRootIO("acme", []bonfire.Command{publish}, strings.NewReader(""), os.Stdout, os.Stdout)
+if err != nil {
+	fmt.Println(err)
+	return
+}
+code := bonfire.Execute(context.Background(), root, []string{"blog:publish", "hello-world"})
+fmt.Println("exit code:", code)
+// Output:
+// ERROR  blog: no draft named "hello-world"
+//
+//   Only drafts can be published; published posts keep their slug.
+//
+//   Try:
+//     bin/acme blog:drafts
+//
+//   Run with -v for details.
+//
+// exit code: 1
+```
+
+A command that has already printed its problems, such as a checker that lists every finding, returns `bonfire.Reported(err)`: the binary exits 1 and prints nothing more. A mistake in how the command was called, such as an unknown flag or a missing argument, exits 2 and the block suggests `help <command>`; wrap your own usage checks with `bonfire.Usage` to get the same exit code.
+
+## Documentation coverage
+
+`bonfire.CheckDocs` reports each command that lacks a description, long help, an example, or a description of one of its arguments or options. It only reports; the framework's own test fails on any problem, and a plugin repository can call it from a test and log the problems:
+
+```go src=modules/bonfire/example_test.go#ExampleCheckDocs
+commands := []bonfire.Command{
+	{
+		Name:        "blog:publish",
+		Description: "Publish a draft post",
+		Long:        "Publishes the draft with the given slug and notifies subscribers.",
+		Args:        []bonfire.Arg{{Name: "slug", Description: "Post slug", Required: true}},
+		Examples:    []bonfire.Example{{Command: "blog:publish hello-world"}},
+	},
+	{
+		Name:        "blog:reindex",
+		Description: "Rebuild the search index",
+		Flags:       []bonfire.Flag{{Name: "batch", Default: "500"}},
+	},
+}
+for _, problem := range bonfire.CheckDocs(commands) {
+	fmt.Println(problem)
+}
+// Output: blog:reindex: missing long help, examples, option --batch description
+```
 
 ## Calling commands in-process
 

modules/bonfire/README.md

@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ bonfire is the console layer of SummerCMS. Plugins and framework modules describ
 
 ## Role in the framework
 
-A base layer for console commands with no framework dependencies. `pact` uses it so plugins can contribute commands, and `lagoon`, `conga`, `cabana`, `lighthouse`, `flare` and `surf` build their own commands (migrate, workers, serve, admin tools) on it. Keeping it separate means every module describes commands the same way without depending on the CLI binary.
+A base layer for console commands; its only framework dependency is `sunscreen`, which scrubs credentials from error messages. `pact` uses it so plugins can contribute commands, and `lagoon`, `conga`, `cabana`, `lighthouse`, `flare` and `surf` build their own commands (migrate, workers, serve, admin tools) on it. Keeping it separate means every module describes commands the same way without depending on the CLI binary.
 
 Use cases:
 
@@ -32,7 +32,11 @@ Use cases:
 - Passthrough commands (`bonfire.Command.Passthrough`) skip flag parsing, so every argument, including `--help`, reaches `bonfire.Input.Args` unchanged; this suits commands that forward to another program. `bonfire.Command.Long` adds extended help text that the help command shows instead of the description.
 - Artisan-style command list: a bare binary (or `--help`, or `list`) prints a version header (`bonfire.Version.Header`, read from the build information by `bonfire.BuildVersion`), the usage line, the global options and the commands, top-level names first and then one block per namespace, with aligned descriptions.
 - Global options on every command: `-v`/`-vv`/`-vvv` (`--verbose`), `-q` (`--quiet`, implies `-n`), `--ansi`/`--no-ansi` (last wins), `-n` (`--no-interaction`) and `--env`. `bonfire.PeekGlobals` reads them from the raw arguments before the root exists, so the generated main can pick the configuration environment and the log verbosity before plugins boot; `bonfire.OnGlobals` hooks receive the parsed `bonfire.Globals` before every command runs (roots built by `bonfire.Call` run no hook).
-- Exit codes: `bonfire.Execute` runs the root through fang and returns `bonfire.ExitOK`, `bonfire.ExitFailure`, or `bonfire.ExitUsage` for an unknown command or flag and a wrong number of arguments (`bonfire.UsageError`). Errors print as a block on the error stream (`bonfire.RenderError`); `bonfire.Fail` prints errors that happen before the root exists.
+- Artisan-style help: `help <command>` and `<command> --help` print Description, Usage, Arguments, Options with `[default: ...]` and "(multiple values allowed)", the global options, Help (`bonfire.Command.Long`) and Examples (`bonfire.Command.Examples`, printed after `bin/<name>` or `summer`).
+- Hidden commands (`bonfire.Command.Hidden`) run but stay out of the list unless `list --all`.
+- JSON catalog: `list --format=json` prints every command, hidden ones flagged, with arguments, options, defaults and examples as a `bonfire.Listing` (`bonfire.Describe` builds it from a command slice).
+- Documentation coverage: `bonfire.CheckDocs` reports commands lacking a description, long help, examples, or argument and option descriptions.
+- Error block and exit codes: `bonfire.Execute` runs the root through fang and returns `bonfire.ExitOK`, `bonfire.ExitFailure`, or `bonfire.ExitUsage` for an unknown command or flag and a wrong number of arguments (`bonfire.UsageError`). Errors print on the error stream as a block (`bonfire.RenderError`): the ERROR badge and the message, the explanation and Try lines of `bonfire.WithHint` (`{bin}` becomes `bin/<name>` or `summer`), cobra's "did you mean" suggestions as Try lines, and "Run with -v for details." or, at `-v`, the wrapped error chain; every message passes through `sunscreen.Scrub`. Errors wrapped by `bonfire.Reported` print nothing. `bonfire.Fail` prints errors that happen before the root exists.
 - Name checks at boot: two commands with the same name, or a command named `list` or `help`, make `bonfire.NewRoot` fail with `bonfire.ErrDuplicateCommand`; a command flag that reuses a global option's name or shorthand fails with `bonfire.ErrReservedFlag` instead of panicking.
 - Injectable streams (`bonfire.NewRootIO`, `bonfire.NewOutput`) so commands can be tested against buffers.
 - In-process calls: `bonfire.Call` runs a named command with arguments against any writer (Laravel `Artisan::call`), and `bonfire.Catalog` holds an application binary's final command list so code outside the Cobra root, such as the conga scheduler, can call any registered command.
@@ -98,7 +102,8 @@ if catalog.Has("blog:import") {
 
 | Identifier | Description |
 |------------|-------------|
-| `bonfire.Command` | A console command: name, description, optional extended help (`bonfire.Command.Long`), flags, arguments, the `bonfire.Command.Passthrough` switch that hands every argument to Run unparsed, and the `bonfire.Command.Run` function. |
+| `bonfire.Command` | A console command: name, description, optional extended help (`bonfire.Command.Long`), flags, arguments, the `bonfire.Command.Passthrough` switch that hands every argument to Run unparsed, the `bonfire.Command.Run` function, usage examples (`bonfire.Command.Examples`) and the `bonfire.Command.Hidden` switch. |
+| `bonfire.Example` | One usage example: the command line without the binary (`Command`) and a short `Description`. |
 | `bonfire.Flag` | A string flag; `bonfire.Flag.Bare` allows the flag without a value, `bonfire.Flag.Repeatable` makes it an ordered multi-value flag. |
 | `bonfire.Arg` | A positional argument with a name, description and required marker. |
 | `bonfire.Input` | Parsed view handed to `bonfire.Command.Run`: `bonfire.Input.Args`, `bonfire.Input.Argument`, `bonfire.Input.Flag` and `bonfire.Input.Flags`. |
@@ -121,6 +126,19 @@ if catalog.Has("blog:import") {
 | `bonfire.RenderError` | Writes an error as the console error block. |
 | `bonfire.UsageError` | Marks a usage mistake (exit code 2); `bonfire.Usage` wraps an error in it. |
 | `bonfire.Usage` | Wraps an error as a `bonfire.UsageError`. |
+| `bonfire.HintError` | An error with an `Explanation` and a `Try` text that the error block prints. |
+| `bonfire.WithHint` | Wraps an error in a `bonfire.HintError`; `{bin}` in the Try text becomes `bin/<name>` or `summer`. |
+| `bonfire.ErrReported` | Marks an error whose details the command already printed. |
+| `bonfire.Reported` | Wraps an error so it matches `bonfire.ErrReported`: exit code 1, no error block. |
+| `bonfire.Listing` | The JSON catalog of `list --format=json`: `Application` (`bonfire.ApplicationInfo`), `GlobalOptions` and `Commands`. |
+| `bonfire.ApplicationInfo` | Name, version and framework version of a binary in a `bonfire.Listing`. |
+| `bonfire.CommandInfo` | One command of a `bonfire.Listing`: name, description, long help, usage, hidden and passthrough switches, `Arguments`, `Options` and `Examples`. |
+| `bonfire.ArgumentInfo` | One argument of a `bonfire.CommandInfo`. |
+| `bonfire.OptionInfo` | One flag of a `bonfire.CommandInfo`, or a global option, with its default. |
+| `bonfire.ExampleInfo` | One example of a `bonfire.CommandInfo`. |
+| `bonfire.Describe` | Builds the `bonfire.Listing` of a binary from its commands and `bonfire.Version`. |
+| `bonfire.CheckDocs` | Reports commands lacking a description, long help, examples or argument and option descriptions, as `bonfire.DocProblem` values. |
+| `bonfire.DocProblem` | One command's documentation gaps; `bonfire.DocProblem.String` reads "<command>: missing description, examples". |
 | `bonfire.ErrDuplicateCommand` | Returned by `bonfire.NewRoot` when two commands share a name or a command is named `list` or `help`. |
 | `bonfire.ErrReservedFlag` | Returned by `bonfire.NewRoot` when a command flag reuses a global option's name or shorthand. |
 | `bonfire.NewOutput` | Builds a `bonfire.Output` over the given streams, applying the terminal and color policy. |
@@ -148,9 +166,9 @@ Without these variables, color is enabled only when stdout is a terminal.
 
 ## Dependencies
 
-- SummerCMS modules: none.
+- SummerCMS modules: `sunscreen` (scrubs error messages).
 - Third-party: `github.com/spf13/cobra`, `github.com/spf13/pflag`, `golang.org/x/term`, `charm.land/lipgloss/v2`, `charm.land/fang/v2` and `github.com/charmbracelet/colorprofile` (decided in `.planning/notes/2026-10-21-console-charm-stack.md`).
-- Standard library: `bufio`, `context`, `errors`, `fmt`, `io`, `os`, `runtime/debug`, `slices`, `strconv`, `strings`, `sync`, `time`, `unicode/utf8`.
+- Standard library: `bufio`, `context`, `encoding/json`, `errors`, `fmt`, `io`, `os`, `runtime/debug`, `slices`, `strconv`, `strings`, `sync`, `time`, `unicode/utf8`.
 
 ## Testing
 

modules/bonfire/command.go

@@ -15,8 +15,8 @@ var ErrCommandName = errors.New("bonfire: plugin command name must be namespace:
 type Command struct {
 	Name        string
 	Description string
-	// Long is optional extended help that cobra shows for the help command
-	// (help <command>). When empty, cobra falls back to Description.
+	// Long is optional extended help, shown under "Help:" by help
+	// <command> and <command> --help.
 	Long string
 	// Passthrough turns off flag parsing for the command: every argument
 	// after the command name, including --help, -h and --, reaches Run
@@ -29,6 +29,22 @@ type Command struct {
 	Flags       []Flag
 	Args        []Arg
 	Run         func(ctx context.Context, in Input, out Output) error
+	// Examples are shown under "Examples:" in the command's help and in
+	// the JSON listing, each as a "#" comment and the command line.
+	Examples []Example
+	// Hidden keeps a runnable command out of the list; list --all and the
+	// JSON listing still show it.
+	Hidden bool
+}
+
+// Example is one usage example of a command.
+type Example struct {
+	// Command is the command line without the binary, for example
+	// "admin:token:create jane --json"; help prints it after summer or
+	// bin/<name>.
+	Command string
+	// Description is a short sentence shown as a "#" comment above it.
+	Description string
 }
 
 // Flag describes a string flag passed to a command.

modules/bonfire/docs.go

@@ -0,0 +1,55 @@
+package bonfire
+
+import (
+	"slices"
+	"strings"
+)
+
+// DocProblem lists what one command's documentation lacks.
+type DocProblem struct {
+	// Command is the command name.
+	Command string
+	// Missing names each gap: "description", "long help", "examples",
+	// "argument <name> description" or "option --<name> description".
+	Missing []string
+}
+
+// String formats the problem as "<command>: missing description, examples".
+func (p DocProblem) String() string {
+	return p.Command + ": missing " + strings.Join(p.Missing, ", ")
+}
+
+// CheckDocs reports every command that lacks a description, long help, at
+// least one example, or a description of one of its arguments or options,
+// sorted by command name. It only reports: the framework's own test fails
+// on a problem, plugin repositories log them.
+func CheckDocs(commands []Command) []DocProblem {
+	var problems []DocProblem
+	for _, c := range commands {
+		var missing []string
+		if strings.TrimSpace(c.Description) == "" {
+			missing = append(missing, "description")
+		}
+		if strings.TrimSpace(c.Long) == "" {
+			missing = append(missing, "long help")
+		}
+		if len(c.Examples) == 0 {
+			missing = append(missing, "examples")
+		}
+		for _, a := range c.Args {
+			if strings.TrimSpace(a.Description) == "" {
+				missing = append(missing, "argument "+a.Name+" description")
+			}
+		}
+		for _, f := range c.Flags {
+			if strings.TrimSpace(f.Description) == "" {
+				missing = append(missing, "option --"+f.Name+" description")
+			}
+		}
+		if len(missing) > 0 {
+			problems = append(problems, DocProblem{Command: c.Name, Missing: missing})
+		}
+	}
+	slices.SortStableFunc(problems, func(a, b DocProblem) int { return strings.Compare(a.Command, b.Command) })
+	return problems
+}

modules/bonfire/errors.go

@@ -2,9 +2,11 @@ package bonfire
 
 import (
 	"errors"
-	"fmt"
 	"io"
 	"strings"
+
+	"git.golem15.com/golem15/summercms/modules/sunscreen"
+	"github.com/charmbracelet/colorprofile"
 )
 
 // UsageError marks a mistake in how a command was called: an unknown
@@ -12,6 +14,9 @@ import (
 // for it.
 type UsageError struct {
 	Err error
+	// command is the command that was called wrongly, when known; the
+	// error block suggests its help.
+	command string
 }
 
 func (e *UsageError) Error() string { return e.Err.Error() }
@@ -39,14 +44,181 @@ func isUsage(err error) bool {
 	return strings.HasPrefix(err.Error(), "unknown command")
 }
 
-// RenderError writes err to w as the console error block: a blank line,
-// "  ERROR  <message>" and a blank line. name is the root name of the binary
-// (summer, or the application binary's name).
+// HintError adds an explanation and a command to try to an error. The error
+// block prints both under the error message; {bin} in Try becomes summer or
+// bin/<name>.
+type HintError struct {
+	Err         error
+	Explanation string
+	Try         string
+}
+
+func (e *HintError) Error() string { return e.Err.Error() }
+
+func (e *HintError) Unwrap() error { return e.Err }
+
+// WithHint returns err with an explanation and a Try line (several lines are
+// allowed); "{bin}" in try is replaced by how the binary is called. A nil err
+// stays nil.
+func WithHint(err error, explanation, try string) error {
+	if err == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	return &HintError{Err: err, Explanation: explanation, Try: try}
+}
+
+// ErrReported marks an error whose details the command already printed:
+// the error block prints nothing and the exit code is 1.
+var ErrReported = errors.New("bonfire: error already reported")
+
+type reportedError struct {
+	err error
+}
+
+func (e *reportedError) Error() string { return e.err.Error() }
+
+func (e *reportedError) Unwrap() error { return e.err }
+
+func (e *reportedError) Is(target error) bool { return target == ErrReported }
+
+// Reported returns an error that matches both ErrReported and err, for a
+// command that has already printed its problems. A nil err gives
+// ErrReported.
+func Reported(err error) error {
+	if err == nil {
+		return ErrReported
+	}
+	return &reportedError{err: err}
+}
+
+// RenderError writes err to w as the console error block: the ERROR badge
+// and the message, the explanation and the Try lines of a HintError ({bin}
+// replaced by summer or bin/<name>, for the root named name), then "Run with
+// -v for details." at verbosity 0 or the wrapped error chain under "Caused
+// by:" at -v and above. cobra's unknown command error becomes `Command "x"
+// is not defined.` with its suggestions as Try lines, and other usage errors
+// suggest the command's help. Every message passes through sunscreen.Scrub.
+// Errors wrapped by Reported print nothing.
 func RenderError(w io.Writer, name string, err error, g Globals) {
-	if err == nil || w == nil {
+	if err == nil || w == nil || errors.Is(err, ErrReported) {
 		return
 	}
-	_ = name
-	_ = g
-	fmt.Fprintf(w, "\n  ERROR  %s\n\n", err.Error())
+	if cw, ok := w.(*colorprofile.Writer); ok {
+		w = cw.Forward
+	}
+	bin := usageName(name)
+	p := DefaultPalette()
+	message := err.Error()
+	explanation, try := "", ""
+	var hint *HintError
+	if errors.As(err, &hint) {
+		explanation, try = hint.Explanation, hint.Try
+	}
+	if strings.HasPrefix(message, "unknown command") {
+		cmdName, suggestions := parseUnknownCommand(message)
+		message = `Command "` + cmdName + `" is not defined.`
+		if try == "" {
+			var lines []string
+			for _, s := range suggestions {
+				lines = append(lines, "{bin} "+s)
+			}
+			if len(lines) == 0 {
+				lines = []string{"{bin} list"}
+			}
+			try = strings.Join(lines, "\n")
+		}
+	} else if try == "" {
+		var ue *UsageError
+		if errors.As(err, &ue) {
+			if ue.command != "" {
+				try = "{bin} help " + ue.command
+			} else {
+				try = "{bin} list"
+			}
+		}
+	}
+
+	var b strings.Builder
+	b.WriteString("\n")
+	for i, line := range strings.Split(sunscreen.Scrub(strings.TrimRight(message, "\n")), "\n") {
+		if i == 0 {
+			b.WriteString(" " + p.ErrorBold.Reverse(true).Render(" ERROR ") + " " + line + "\n")
+			continue
+		}
+		b.WriteString("  " + line + "\n")
+	}
+	if explanation != "" {
+		b.WriteString("\n")
+		for _, line := range strings.Split(sunscreen.Scrub(explanation), "\n") {
+			b.WriteString("  " + line + "\n")
+		}
+	}
+	if try != "" {
+		b.WriteString("\n  " + p.Header.Render("Try:") + "\n")
+		for _, line := range strings.Split(strings.ReplaceAll(try, "{bin}", bin), "\n") {
+			b.WriteString("    " + p.Success.Render(sunscreen.Scrub(line)) + "\n")
+		}
+	}
+	if g.Verbosity > 0 {
+		if chain := causes(err, err.Error()); len(chain) > 0 {
+			b.WriteString("\n  " + p.Header.Render("Caused by:") + "\n")
+			for _, c := range chain {
+				b.WriteString("    " + p.Muted.Render("- "+sunscreen.Scrub(c)) + "\n")
+			}
+		}
+	} else {
+		b.WriteString("\n  " + p.Muted.Render("Run with -v for details.") + "\n")
+	}
+	b.WriteString("\n")
+	_ = writeStyled(w, g, b.String())
+}
+
+// parseUnknownCommand reads the command name and cobra's "Did you mean
+// this?" suggestions from an unknown command error.
+func parseUnknownCommand(msg string) (string, []string) {
+	name := ""
+	if i := strings.Index(msg, `"`); i >= 0 {
+		if j := strings.Index(msg[i+1:], `"`); j >= 0 {
+			name = msg[i+1 : i+1+j]
+		}
+	}
+	var suggestions []string
+	if _, rest, ok := strings.Cut(msg, "Did you mean this?"); ok {
+		for _, line := range strings.Split(rest, "\n") {
+			if s := strings.TrimSpace(line); s != "" {
+				suggestions = append(suggestions, s)
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	return name, suggestions
+}
+
+// causes walks the wrapped errors below err (errors.Join members expanded)
+// and returns each distinct message other than top.
+func causes(err error, top string) []string {
+	var out []string
+	seen := map[string]bool{top: true}
+	var walk func(error)
+	walk = func(e error) {
+		for e != nil {
+			if msg := e.Error(); !seen[msg] {
+				seen[msg] = true
+				out = append(out, msg)
+			}
+			if joined, ok := e.(interface{ Unwrap() []error }); ok {
+				for _, m := range joined.Unwrap() {
+					walk(m)
+				}
+				return
+			}
+			e = errors.Unwrap(e)
+		}
+	}
+	walk(errors.Unwrap(err))
+	if joined, ok := err.(interface{ Unwrap() []error }); ok {
+		for _, m := range joined.Unwrap() {
+			walk(m)
+		}
+	}
+	return out
 }

modules/bonfire/example_test.go

@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import (
 	"context"
 	"fmt"
 	"os"
+	"strings"
 
 	"git.golem15.com/golem15/summercms/modules/bonfire"
 )
@@ -51,3 +52,111 @@ func ExampleCatalog() {
 	}
 	// Output: publish hello-world, tags [news go], dry run true
 }
+
+func ExampleExample() {
+	export := bonfire.Command{
+		Name:        "blog:export",
+		Description: "Export published posts as JSON",
+		Long:        "Writes every published post, newest first, to a JSON file.",
+		Flags: []bonfire.Flag{
+			{Name: "path", Description: "Output file", Default: "posts.json"},
+		},
+		Examples: []bonfire.Example{
+			{Command: "blog:export --path=backup.json", Description: "Export to another file"},
+		},
+		Run: func(ctx context.Context, in bonfire.Input, out bonfire.Output) error {
+			return nil
+		},
+	}
+	// Hidden commands run, but list shows them only with --all.
+	cleanup := bonfire.Command{
+		Name:        "blog:cleanup",
+		Description: "Remove orphaned uploads",
+		Hidden:      true,
+	}
+
+	root, err := bonfire.NewRootIO("acme", []bonfire.Command{export, cleanup}, strings.NewReader(""), os.Stdout, os.Stdout)
+	if err != nil {
+		fmt.Println(err)
+		return
+	}
+	bonfire.Execute(context.Background(), root, []string{"help", "blog:export"})
+	// Output:
+	// Description:
+	//   Export published posts as JSON
+	//
+	// Usage:
+	//   blog:export [options]
+	//
+	// Options:
+	//       --path=PATH  Output file [default: "posts.json"]
+	//
+	// Global options:
+	//   -h, --help            Display help for the given command
+	//   -q, --quiet           Do not output any message
+	//   -v|vv|vvv             Increase verbosity
+	//       --ansi|no-ansi    Force (or disable) ANSI output
+	//   -n, --no-interaction  Do not ask any interactive question
+	//       --env             The environment the command runs under
+	//
+	// Help:
+	//   Writes every published post, newest first, to a JSON file.
+	//
+	// Examples:
+	//   # Export to another file
+	//   bin/acme blog:export --path=backup.json
+}
+
+func ExampleWithHint() {
+	publish := bonfire.Command{
+		Name:        "blog:publish",
+		Description: "Publish a draft post",
+		Args:        []bonfire.Arg{{Name: "slug", Description: "Post slug", Required: true}},
+		Run: func(ctx context.Context, in bonfire.Input, out bonfire.Output) error {
+			slug, _ := in.Argument("slug")
+			return bonfire.WithHint(fmt.Errorf("blog: no draft named %q", slug),
+				"Only drafts can be published; published posts keep their slug.",
+				"{bin} blog:drafts")
+		},
+	}
+
+	root, err := bonfire.NewRootIO("acme", []bonfire.Command{publish}, strings.NewReader(""), os.Stdout, os.Stdout)
+	if err != nil {
+		fmt.Println(err)
+		return
+	}
+	code := bonfire.Execute(context.Background(), root, []string{"blog:publish", "hello-world"})
+	fmt.Println("exit code:", code)
+	// Output:
+	// ERROR  blog: no draft named "hello-world"
+	//
+	//   Only drafts can be published; published posts keep their slug.
+	//
+	//   Try:
+	//     bin/acme blog:drafts
+	//
+	//   Run with -v for details.
+	//
+	// exit code: 1
+}
+
+func ExampleCheckDocs() {
+	commands := []bonfire.Command{
+		{
+			Name:        "blog:publish",
+			Description: "Publish a draft post",
+			Long:        "Publishes the draft with the given slug and notifies subscribers.",
+			Args:        []bonfire.Arg{{Name: "slug", Description: "Post slug", Required: true}},
+			Examples:    []bonfire.Example{{Command: "blog:publish hello-world"}},
+		},
+		{
+			Name:        "blog:reindex",
+			Description: "Rebuild the search index",
+			Flags:       []bonfire.Flag{{Name: "batch", Default: "500"}},
+		},
+	}
+	for _, problem := range bonfire.CheckDocs(commands) {
+		fmt.Println(problem)
+	}
+	// Output: blog:reindex: missing long help, examples, option --batch description
+}

modules/bonfire/execute.go

@@ -7,7 +7,6 @@ import (
 	"strings"
 
 	"charm.land/fang/v2"
-	"github.com/charmbracelet/colorprofile"
 	"github.com/spf13/cobra"
 )
 
@@ -50,10 +49,9 @@ func Execute(ctx context.Context, root *cobra.Command, args []string) int {
 		fang.WithoutManpage(),
 		fang.WithoutCompletions(),
 		fang.WithErrorHandler(func(w io.Writer, _ fang.Styles, err error) {
-			if cw, ok := w.(*colorprofile.Writer); ok {
-				// RenderError applies its own color profile.
-				w = cw.Forward
-			}
+			// fang hands over a colorprofile writer built from the
+			// environment only; RenderError unwraps it and applies
+			// --ansi and --no-ansi itself.
 			RenderError(w, name, err, g)
 		}),
 	)

modules/bonfire/help.go

@@ -0,0 +1,125 @@
+package bonfire
+
+import (
+	"strconv"
+	"strings"
+)
+
+// helpUsage is the usage line of a command in help and the JSON listing:
+// the name, its arguments and [options]; passthrough commands end with
+// [--] <args...> because everything after the name reaches them unparsed.
+func helpUsage(c Command) string {
+	u := commandUsage(c) + " [options]"
+	if c.Passthrough {
+		u += " [--] <args...>"
+	}
+	return u
+}
+
+// optionLabel is the left column of a flag: "-x, --name=NAME" for value
+// flags, "--name" for bare flags, indented four spaces without shorthand.
+func optionLabel(f Flag) string {
+	label := "    "
+	if f.Shorthand != "" {
+		label = "-" + f.Shorthand + ", "
+	}
+	label += "--" + f.Name
+	if !f.Bare {
+		label += "=" + strings.ToUpper(strings.ReplaceAll(f.Name, "-", "_"))
+	}
+	return label
+}
+
+// optionDetail is a flag's description followed by its default and the
+// repeatable marker.
+func optionDetail(f Flag) string {
+	parts := []string{}
+	if f.Description != "" {
+		parts = append(parts, f.Description)
+	}
+	if f.Default != "" && !f.Bare {
+		if _, err := strconv.Atoi(f.Default); err == nil {
+			parts = append(parts, "[default: "+f.Default+"]")
+		} else {
+			parts = append(parts, "[default: "+strconv.Quote(f.Default)+"]")
+		}
+	}
+	if f.Repeatable {
+		parts = append(parts, "(multiple values allowed)")
+	}
+	return strings.Join(parts, " ")
+}
+
+// renderHelp writes a command's help in the Artisan layout: Description,
+// Usage, Arguments, Options with defaults, Global options, Help (the long
+// text) and Examples, each section present only when it has content.
+func (st *rootState) renderHelp(c Command, g Globals) error {
+	p := DefaultPalette()
+	var b strings.Builder
+	section := func(title string) {
+		if b.Len() > 0 {
+			b.WriteString("\n")
+		}
+		b.WriteString(p.Header.Render(title+":") + "\n")
+	}
+
+	if c.Description != "" {
+		section("Description")
+		b.WriteString("  " + c.Description + "\n")
+	}
+	section("Usage")
+	b.WriteString("  " + helpUsage(c) + "\n")
+
+	width := 0
+	for _, a := range c.Args {
+		width = max(width, len(a.Name))
+	}
+	for _, f := range c.Flags {
+		width = max(width, len(optionLabel(f)))
+	}
+	row := func(label, detail string) {
+		line := "  " + p.Success.Render(label)
+		if detail != "" {
+			line += strings.Repeat(" ", width-len(label)+2) + detail
+		}
+		b.WriteString(line + "\n")
+	}
+	if len(c.Args) > 0 {
+		section("Arguments")
+		for _, a := range c.Args {
+			row(a.Name, a.Description)
+		}
+	}
+	if len(c.Flags) > 0 {
+		section("Options")
+		for _, f := range c.Flags {
+			row(optionLabel(f), optionDetail(f))
+		}
+	}
+	section("Global options")
+	writeGlobalOptions(&b, p)
+	if long := strings.TrimSpace(c.Long); long != "" {
+		section("Help")
+		for _, line := range strings.Split(long, "\n") {
+			if strings.TrimSpace(line) == "" {
+				b.WriteString("\n")
+				continue
+			}
+			b.WriteString("  " + line + "\n")
+		}
+	}
+	if len(c.Examples) > 0 {
+		section("Examples")
+		bin := usageName(st.name)
+		for i, e := range c.Examples {
+			if i > 0 {
+				b.WriteString("\n")
+			}
+			if e.Description != "" {
+				b.WriteString("  " + p.Muted.Render("# "+e.Description) + "\n")
+			}
+			b.WriteString("  " + bin + " " + e.Command + "\n")
+		}
+	}
+	return writeStyled(st.out, g, b.String())
+}

modules/bonfire/help_smoke_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,235 @@
+package bonfire
+
+import (
+	"bytes"
+	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+)
+
+func smokeTokenCommand() Command {
+	return Command{
+		Name:        "admin:token:create",
+		Description: "Create a personal API token for a backend admin",
+		Long:        "Creates a token for the admin with the given login.\nThe token is printed once.",
+		Args:        []Arg{{Name: "login", Description: "The admin's login", Required: true}},
+		Flags: []Flag{
+			{Name: "scopes", Description: "Comma-separated scopes", Default: "*"},
+			{Name: "expires", Description: "Days until expiry", Default: "90"},
+			{Name: "json", Description: "Print the token as JSON", Bare: true},
+			{Name: "tag", Description: "Tag to add", Repeatable: true},
+		},
+		Examples: []Example{
+			{Command: "admin:token:create jane --scopes=journal.*", Description: "Token for the MCP server, journal only"},
+			{Command: "admin:token:create jane --json", Description: "Script-friendly output"},
+		},
+		Run: func(context.Context, Input, Output) error { return nil },
+	}
+}
+
+// smokeRoot returns a runner that executes args on a fresh root each time
+// (pflag keeps a command's local flag values between executions).
+func smokeRoot(t *testing.T, out *bytes.Buffer, commands ...Command) func(args ...string) int {
+	t.Helper()
+	return func(args ...string) int {
+		t.Helper()
+		root, err := NewRootIO("acme", commands, strings.NewReader(""), out, out,
+			WithVersion(Version{App: "v1.4.0", Framework: "v0.3.2"}))
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		out.Reset()
+		return Execute(context.Background(), root, args)
+	}
+}
+
+// TestHelpSmoke: <command> --help renders the Artisan sections in order,
+// with defaults, the repeatable marker and examples prefixed by bin/<name>,
+// and help <command> prints the same.
+func TestHelpSmoke(t *testing.T) {
+	var out bytes.Buffer
+	run := smokeRoot(t, &out, smokeTokenCommand())
+	if code := run("admin:token:create", "--help"); code != ExitOK {
+		t.Fatalf("--help exit = %d\n%s", code, out.String())
+	}
+	got := out.String()
+	order := []string{
+		"Description:\n  Create a personal API token for a backend admin\n",
+		"Usage:\n  admin:token:create <login> [options]\n",
+		"Arguments:\n  login  ",
+		"Options:\n",
+		`    --scopes=SCOPES  Comma-separated scopes [default: "*"]`,
+		"    --expires=EXPIRES  Days until expiry [default: 90]",
+		"    --json  ",
+		"Tag to add (multiple values allowed)",
+		"Global options:\n  -h, --help",
+		"Help:\n  Creates a token for the admin with the given login.\n  The token is printed once.\n",
+		"Examples:\n  # Token for the MCP server, journal only\n  bin/acme admin:token:create jane --scopes=journal.*\n\n  # Script-friendly output\n  bin/acme admin:token:create jane --json\n",
+	}
+	last := -1
+	for _, want := range order {
+		if want == `    --scopes=SCOPES  Comma-separated scopes [default: "*"]` || want == "    --expires=EXPIRES  Days until expiry [default: 90]" {
+			// The detail column is aligned to the longest label.
+			label, detail, _ := strings.Cut(strings.TrimSpace(want), "  ")
+			i := strings.Index(got, label)
+			if i < 0 || !strings.Contains(got[i:], detail) {
+				t.Fatalf("help missing %q / %q:\n%s", label, detail, got)
+			}
+			continue
+		}
+		i := strings.Index(got, want)
+		if i < 0 {
+			t.Fatalf("help missing %q:\n%s", want, got)
+		}
+		if i < last {
+			t.Fatalf("%q out of order:\n%s", want, got)
+		}
+		last = i
+	}
+	if strings.Contains(got, "--json=") || strings.Contains(got, "[default: \"true\"]") {
+		t.Fatalf("bare flag rendered with a value:\n%s", got)
+	}
+	viaFlag := got
+	if code := run("help", "admin:token:create"); code != ExitOK {
+		t.Fatalf("help exit = %d", code)
+	}
+	if out.String() != viaFlag {
+		t.Fatalf("help <command> differs from <command> --help:\n%s\n---\n%s", out.String(), viaFlag)
+	}
+	if code := run("help"); code != ExitOK || !strings.Contains(out.String(), "Available commands:") {
+		t.Fatalf("bare help exit = %d\n%s", code, out.String())
+	}
+}
+
+// TestListJSONSmoke: list --format=json decodes into Listing with every
+// command, a Hidden one flagged; the text list hides it unless --all.
+func TestListJSONSmoke(t *testing.T) {
+	hidden := Command{Name: "acme:secret", Description: "A hidden maintenance command", Hidden: true,
+		Run: func(context.Context, Input, Output) error { return nil }}
+	var out bytes.Buffer
+	run := smokeRoot(t, &out, smokeTokenCommand(), hidden)
+	if code := run("list", "--format=json"); code != ExitOK {
+		t.Fatalf("json exit = %d\n%s", code, out.String())
+	}
+	var l Listing
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(out.Bytes(), &l); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("decode: %v\n%s", err, out.String())
+	}
+	if l.Application.Name != "acme" || l.Application.Version != "v1.4.0" || l.Application.Framework != "v0.3.2" {
+		t.Fatalf("application = %+v", l.Application)
+	}
+	if len(l.GlobalOptions) == 0 {
+		t.Fatal("no global options")
+	}
+	byName := map[string]CommandInfo{}
+	for _, c := range l.Commands {
+		byName[c.Name] = c
+	}
+	for _, name := range []string{"acme:secret", "admin:token:create", "list", "help"} {
+		if _, ok := byName[name]; !ok {
+			t.Fatalf("listing misses %s: %+v", name, l.Commands)
+		}
+	}
+	if !byName["acme:secret"].Hidden {
+		t.Fatal("hidden command not flagged")
+	}
+	tok := byName["admin:token:create"]
+	if len(tok.Arguments) != 1 || len(tok.Options) != 4 || len(tok.Examples) != 2 || tok.Options[1].Default != "90" {
+		t.Fatalf("token command = %+v", tok)
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(out.String(), `"global_options"`) {
+		t.Fatal("json keys are not snake case")
+	}
+
+	if code := run("list"); code != ExitOK || strings.Contains(out.String(), "acme:secret") {
+		t.Fatalf("list shows the hidden command (exit %d):\n%s", code, out.String())
+	}
+	if code := run("list", "--all"); code != ExitOK || !strings.Contains(out.String(), "acme:secret") {
+		t.Fatalf("list --all hides the command (exit %d):\n%s", code, out.String())
+	}
+	if code := run("acme:secret"); code != ExitOK {
+		t.Fatalf("hidden command does not run: %d", code)
+	}
+	if code := run("list", "--format=xml"); code != ExitUsage {
+		t.Fatalf("unknown format exit = %d", code)
+	}
+
+	problems := CheckDocs([]Command{smokeTokenCommand(), hidden, {Name: "acme:bare", Args: []Arg{{Name: "x"}}, Flags: []Flag{{Name: "y"}}}})
+	if len(problems) != 2 || problems[0].Command != "acme:bare" || problems[1].Command != "acme:secret" {
+		t.Fatalf("CheckDocs = %v", problems)
+	}
+	if got := problems[0].String(); got != "acme:bare: missing description, long help, examples, argument x description, option --y description" {
+		t.Fatalf("problem = %q", got)
+	}
+}
+
+// TestErrorRenderSmoke: the error block shows hints with {bin} replaced,
+// the -v hint or the wrapped chain, nothing for Reported errors, the exit
+// codes, the unknown command suggestion and scrubbed secrets.
+func TestErrorRenderSmoke(t *testing.T) {
+	inner := errors.New("open summer.yaml: no such file")
+	hinted := WithHint(fmt.Errorf("no application found in /tmp/x: %w", inner),
+		"summer make:command needs an application root (summer.yaml).",
+		"cd ..; {bin} make:command acme.blog:publish")
+
+	var buf bytes.Buffer
+	RenderError(&buf, "acme", hinted, Globals{})
+	got := buf.String()
+	for _, want := range []string{
+		"  ERROR  no application found in /tmp/x: open summer.yaml: no such file\n",
+		"\n  summer make:command needs an application root (summer.yaml).\n",
+		"\n  Try:\n    cd ..; bin/acme make:command acme.blog:publish\n",
+		"\n  Run with -v for details.\n",
+	} {
+		if !strings.Contains(got, want) {
+			t.Fatalf("block missing %q:\n%s", want, got)
+		}
+	}
+	if strings.Contains(got, "Caused by:") {
+		t.Fatalf("chain shown at verbosity 0:\n%s", got)
+	}
+	buf.Reset()
+	RenderError(&buf, "summer", hinted, Globals{Verbosity: 1})
+	got = buf.String()
+	if !strings.Contains(got, "Caused by:\n    - open summer.yaml: no such file\n") || strings.Contains(got, "Run with -v") || !strings.Contains(got, "cd ..; summer make:command") {
+		t.Fatalf("verbose block:\n%s", got)
+	}
+	buf.Reset()
+	RenderError(&buf, "acme", errors.New("upstream said Bearer abcdefghijklmnop0123456789"), Globals{Verbosity: 1})
+	if strings.Contains(buf.String(), "abcdefghijklmnop0123456789") {
+		t.Fatalf("bearer token not scrubbed:\n%s", buf.String())
+	}
+	buf.Reset()
+	RenderError(&buf, "acme", Reported(errors.New("3 problems")), Globals{})
+	if buf.Len() != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("reported error printed: %q", buf.String())
+	}
+
+	var out bytes.Buffer
+	run := smokeRoot(t, &out,
+		Command{Name: "migrate", Description: "Run the migrations", Run: func(context.Context, Input, Output) error { return nil }},
+		Command{Name: "docs:build", Description: "Build docs", Run: func(_ context.Context, _ Input, o Output) error {
+			o.Println("problem 1")
+			return Reported(errors.New("docs:build failed"))
+		}},
+	)
+	if code := run("docs:build"); code != ExitFailure || strings.Contains(out.String(), "ERROR") {
+		t.Fatalf("reported: exit %d\n%s", code, out.String())
+	}
+	if code := run("migrat"); code != ExitUsage {
+		t.Fatalf("unknown command exit = %d", code)
+	}
+	got = out.String()
+	if !strings.Contains(got, `ERROR  Command "migrat" is not defined.`) || !strings.Contains(got, "Try:\n    bin/acme migrate\n") {
+		t.Fatalf("unknown command block:\n%s", got)
+	}
+	if code := run("migrate", "extra", "--bogus"); code != ExitUsage || !strings.Contains(out.String(), "bin/acme help migrate") {
+		t.Fatalf("unknown flag: exit %d\n%s", code, out.String())
+	}
+	if code := run("help", "migrat"); code != ExitUsage || !strings.Contains(out.String(), "bin/acme help migrate") {
+		t.Fatalf("help unknown: exit %d\n%s", code, out.String())
+	}
+}

modules/bonfire/list.go

@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package bonfire
 
 import (
 	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
 	"fmt"
 	"io"
 	"slices"
@@ -17,15 +18,24 @@ func builtinCommands() []Command {
 		{
 			Name:        "help",
 			Description: "Display help for a command",
+			Long:        "Prints the description, usage, arguments, options, long help and examples of a command. Without a command name it prints the command list.",
 			Args:        []Arg{{Name: "command_name", Description: "The command name"}},
+			Examples: []Example{
+				{Command: "help migrate", Description: "Help for the migrate command"},
+			},
 		},
 		{
 			Name:        "list",
 			Description: "List commands",
+			Long:        "Prints the commands grouped by namespace. --all includes hidden commands; --format=json prints every command with its arguments, options and examples.",
 			Flags: []Flag{
 				{Name: "all", Description: "Show hidden commands too", Bare: true},
 				{Name: "format", Description: "The output format (txt or json)", Default: "txt"},
 			},
+			Examples: []Example{
+				{Command: "list --all", Description: "Every command, hidden ones included"},
+				{Command: "list --format=json", Description: "The catalog for scripts and agents"},
+			},
 		},
 	}
 }
@@ -48,45 +58,71 @@ func usageName(name string) string {
 	return "bin/" + name
 }
 
-// lister renders the command list of one root.
-type lister struct {
-	name     string
-	commands []Command
-	version  Version
-	out      io.Writer
-	console  *console
-}
-
-// command is the list command with its run function.
-func (l *lister) command() Command {
+// listCommand is the list command with its run function.
+func (st *rootState) listCommand() Command {
 	c := builtinCommand("list")
 	c.Run = func(_ context.Context, in Input, _ Output) error {
 		all, _ := in.Flag("all")
 		format, _ := in.Flag("format")
 		switch format {
 		case "", "txt":
-			return l.render(l.console.globals, all == "true")
+			return st.renderList(st.globals(), all == "true")
+		case "json":
+			return st.renderJSON()
 		default:
-			return Usage(fmt.Errorf("list: unknown format %q (use txt or json)", format))
+			return WithHint(Usage(fmt.Errorf("list: unknown format %q", format)),
+				"list prints txt (the default) or json.", "{bin} list --format=json")
 		}
 	}
 	return c
 }
 
-// all returns the root's commands and its builtins.
-func (l *lister) all() []Command {
-	return append(append([]Command(nil), l.commands...), builtinCommands()...)
+// helpCommand is the help command: the list without an argument, a
+// command's help with one.
+func (st *rootState) helpCommand() Command {
+	c := builtinCommand("help")
+	c.Run = func(_ context.Context, in Input, _ Output) error {
+		args := in.Args()
+		if len(args) == 0 {
+			return st.renderList(st.globals(), false)
+		}
+		name := args[0]
+		for _, cmd := range st.all() {
+			if cmd.Name == name {
+				return st.renderHelp(cmd, st.globals())
+			}
+		}
+		err := Usage(fmt.Errorf("Command %q is not defined.", name))
+		var try []string
+		for _, s := range st.root.SuggestionsFor(name) {
+			try = append(try, "{bin} help "+s)
+		}
+		if len(try) == 0 {
+			try = []string{"{bin} list"}
+		}
+		return WithHint(err, "", strings.Join(try, "\n"))
+	}
+	return c
 }
 
-// render writes the Artisan list: the version header, usage, the global
+// all returns the root's commands and its builtins.
+func (st *rootState) all() []Command {
+	return append(append([]Command(nil), st.commands...), builtinCommands()...)
+}
+
+// renderList writes the Artisan list: the version header, usage, the global
 // options and the commands, top-level names first and then one block per
-// namespace (the text before the first colon).
-func (l *lister) render(g Globals, all bool) error {
+// namespace (the text before the first colon). Hidden commands are left out
+// unless all is true.
+func (st *rootState) renderList(g Globals, all bool) error {
 	p := DefaultPalette()
 	var top []Command
 	groups := map[string][]Command{}
 	width := 0
-	for _, c := range l.all() {
+	for _, c := range st.all() {
+		if c.Hidden && !all {
+			continue
+		}
 		ns, _, namespaced := strings.Cut(c.Name, ":")
 		if namespaced {
 			groups[ns] = append(groups[ns], c)
@@ -104,9 +140,9 @@ func (l *lister) render(g Globals, all bool) error {
 	slices.Sort(namespaces)
 
 	var b strings.Builder
-	b.WriteString(p.Header.Render(l.version.Header(l.name)) + "\n\n")
+	b.WriteString(p.Header.Render(st.version.Header(st.name)) + "\n\n")
 	b.WriteString(p.Header.Render("Usage:") + "\n")
-	b.WriteString("  " + usageName(l.name) + " <command> [options] [arguments]\n\n")
+	b.WriteString("  " + usageName(st.name) + " <command> [options] [arguments]\n\n")
 	b.WriteString(p.Header.Render("Options:") + "\n")
 	writeGlobalOptions(&b, p)
 	b.WriteString("\n" + p.Header.Render("Available commands:") + "\n")
@@ -125,7 +161,17 @@ func (l *lister) render(g Globals, all bool) error {
 			line(c)
 		}
 	}
-	return writeStyled(l.out, g, b.String())
+	return writeStyled(st.out, g, b.String())
+}
+
+// renderJSON writes Describe of the root as indented JSON.
+func (st *rootState) renderJSON() error {
+	data, err := json.MarshalIndent(Describe(st.name, st.all(), st.version), "", "  ")
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	_, err = st.out.Write(append(data, '\n'))
+	return err
 }
 
 // writeGlobalOptions writes the global option lines, aligned.
@@ -147,3 +193,112 @@ func writeStyled(w io.Writer, g Globals, s string) error {
 	_, err := io.WriteString(cw, s)
 	return err
 }
+
+// Listing is the JSON catalog of a binary's commands (list --format=json).
+type Listing struct {
+	Application   ApplicationInfo `json:"application"`
+	GlobalOptions []OptionInfo    `json:"global_options"`
+	Commands      []CommandInfo   `json:"commands"`
+}
+
+// ApplicationInfo names the binary and its versions in a Listing.
+type ApplicationInfo struct {
+	Name      string `json:"name"`
+	Version   string `json:"version"`
+	Framework string `json:"framework"`
+}
+
+// CommandInfo is one command of a Listing.
+type CommandInfo struct {
+	Name        string         `json:"name"`
+	Description string         `json:"description"`
+	Long        string         `json:"long"`
+	Usage       string         `json:"usage"`
+	Hidden      bool           `json:"hidden"`
+	Passthrough bool           `json:"passthrough"`
+	Arguments   []ArgumentInfo `json:"arguments"`
+	Options     []OptionInfo   `json:"options"`
+	Examples    []ExampleInfo  `json:"examples"`
+}
+
+// ArgumentInfo is one positional argument of a CommandInfo.
+type ArgumentInfo struct {
+	Name        string `json:"name"`
+	Description string `json:"description"`
+	Required    bool   `json:"required"`
+}
+
+// OptionInfo is one flag of a CommandInfo or a global option.
+type OptionInfo struct {
+	Name        string `json:"name"`
+	Shorthand   string `json:"shorthand"`
+	Description string `json:"description"`
+	Default     string `json:"default"`
+	Bare        bool   `json:"bare"`
+	Repeatable  bool   `json:"repeatable"`
+}
+
+// ExampleInfo is one example of a CommandInfo, the command line without the
+// binary.
+type ExampleInfo struct {
+	Command     string `json:"command"`
+	Description string `json:"description"`
+}
+
+// globalOptionInfos are the global options as Listing entries.
+var globalOptionInfos = []OptionInfo{
+	{Name: flagHelp, Shorthand: "h", Description: "Display help for the given command", Bare: true},
+	{Name: flagQuiet, Shorthand: "q", Description: "Do not output any message", Bare: true},
+	{Name: flagVerbose, Shorthand: "v", Description: "Increase verbosity (-v, -vv or -vvv)", Bare: true, Repeatable: true},
+	{Name: flagANSI, Description: "Force ANSI output", Bare: true},
+	{Name: flagNoANSI, Description: "Disable ANSI output", Bare: true},
+	{Name: flagNoInteraction, Shorthand: "n", Description: "Do not ask any interactive question", Bare: true},
+	{Name: flagEnv, Description: "The environment the command runs under"},
+}
+
+// Describe returns the Listing of a binary named name with the given
+// commands, sorted by name: every command, hidden ones included, with its
+// arguments, options and examples. NewRoot's list --format=json adds the
+// list and help commands.
+func Describe(name string, commands []Command, v Version) Listing {
+	l := Listing{
+		Application: ApplicationInfo{
+			Name:      name,
+			Version:   cleanVersion(v.App),
+			Framework: cleanVersion(v.Framework),
+		},
+		GlobalOptions: append([]OptionInfo(nil), globalOptionInfos...),
+		Commands:      make([]CommandInfo, 0, len(commands)),
+	}
+	if v.Framework == "" {
+		l.Application.Framework = l.Application.Version
+	}
+	for _, c := range commands {
+		info := CommandInfo{
+			Name:        c.Name,
+			Description: c.Description,
+			Long:        c.Long,
+			Usage:       helpUsage(c),
+			Hidden:      c.Hidden,
+			Passthrough: c.Passthrough,
+			Arguments:   []ArgumentInfo{},
+			Options:     []OptionInfo{},
+			Examples:    []ExampleInfo{},
+		}
+		for _, a := range c.Args {
+			info.Arguments = append(info.Arguments, ArgumentInfo{Name: a.Name, Description: a.Description, Required: a.Required})
+		}
+		for _, f := range c.Flags {
+			info.Options = append(info.Options, OptionInfo{
+				Name: f.Name, Shorthand: f.Shorthand, Description: f.Description,
+				Default: f.Default, Bare: f.Bare, Repeatable: f.Repeatable,
+			})
+		}
+		for _, e := range c.Examples {
+			info.Examples = append(info.Examples, ExampleInfo{Command: e.Command, Description: e.Description})
+		}
+		l.Commands = append(l.Commands, info)
+	}
+	slices.SortFunc(l.Commands, func(a, b CommandInfo) int { return strings.Compare(a.Name, b.Name) })
+	return l
+}

modules/bonfire/root.go

@@ -97,10 +97,19 @@ func NewRootIO(name string, commands []Command, in io.Reader, out, errW io.Write
 	root.SetErr(errW)
 	flags := &globalFlags{}
 	flags.register(root.PersistentFlags())
-	root.SetFlagErrorFunc(func(_ *cobra.Command, err error) error {
-		return Usage(err)
+	root.SetFlagErrorFunc(func(c *cobra.Command, err error) error {
+		return usageFor(c, root, err)
 	})
 
+	st := &rootState{
+		root:     root,
+		name:     name,
+		commands: commands,
+		version:  cfg.version,
+		out:      out,
+		console:  output,
+		flags:    flags,
+	}
 	seen := map[string]bool{}
 	for _, b := range builtinCommands() {
 		seen[b.Name] = true
@@ -110,21 +119,28 @@ func NewRootIO(name string, commands []Command, in io.Reader, out, errW io.Write
 			return nil, fmt.Errorf("%w: %q", ErrDuplicateCommand, command.Name)
 		}
 		seen[command.Name] = true
-		cmd, err := wrap(command, output)
+		cmd, err := st.wrap(command, true)
 		if err != nil {
 			return nil, err
 		}
 		root.AddCommand(cmd)
 	}
 
-	lister := &lister{name: name, commands: commands, version: cfg.version, out: out, console: output}
-	listCmd, err := wrapCommand(lister.command(), output, false)
+	listCmd, err := st.wrap(st.listCommand(), false)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
 	root.AddCommand(listCmd)
+	helpCmd, err := st.wrap(st.helpCommand(), false)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	root.SetHelpCommand(helpCmd)
+	root.SetHelpFunc(func(*cobra.Command, []string) {
+		_ = st.renderList(st.globals(), false)
+	})
 	root.RunE = func(cmd *cobra.Command, _ []string) error {
-		return lister.render(output.globals, false)
+		return st.renderList(st.globals(), false)
 	}
 	root.PersistentPreRunE = func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
 		var g Globals
@@ -144,6 +160,36 @@ func NewRootIO(name string, commands []Command, in io.Reader, out, errW io.Write
 	return root, nil
 }
 
+// rootState is what the list, help and error rendering of one root share.
+type rootState struct {
+	root     *cobra.Command
+	name     string
+	commands []Command
+	version  Version
+	out      io.Writer
+	console  *console
+	flags    *globalFlags
+}
+
+// globals returns the parsed global options of the current run.
+func (st *rootState) globals() Globals {
+	return st.flags.globals()
+}
+
+// wrap turns a command value into a cobra command. validate checks the
+// name form (the builtins list and help skip it).
+func (st *rootState) wrap(c Command, validate bool) (*cobra.Command, error) {
+	cmd, err := wrapCommand(c, st.console, validate)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	cmd.Hidden = c.Hidden
+	cmd.SetHelpFunc(func(*cobra.Command, []string) {
+		_ = st.renderHelp(c, st.globals())
+	})
+	return cmd, nil
+}
+
 func wrap(c Command, out Output) (*cobra.Command, error) {
 	return wrapCommand(c, out, true)
 }
@@ -211,6 +257,23 @@ func wrapCommand(c Command, out Output, validate bool) (*cobra.Command, error) {
 // usageArgs marks argument-count failures as usage errors (exit code 2).
 func usageArgs(fn cobra.PositionalArgs) cobra.PositionalArgs {
 	return func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
-		return Usage(fn(cmd, args))
+		return usageFor(cmd, cmd.Root(), fn(cmd, args))
 	}
 }
+
+// usageFor wraps err as a UsageError that remembers the command, so the
+// error block can suggest its help.
+func usageFor(cmd, root *cobra.Command, err error) error {
+	if err == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	var ue *UsageError
+	if errors.As(err, &ue) {
+		return err
+	}
+	ue = &UsageError{Err: err}
+	if cmd != nil && cmd != root {
+		ue.command = cmd.Name()
+	}
+	return ue
+}