Is there a "standard" format for command line/shell help text?

Take a look at docopt. It is a formal standard for documenting (and automatically parsing) command line arguments.

For example...

Usage:
  my_program command --option <argument>
  my_program [<optional-argument>]
  my_program --another-option=<with-argument>
  my_program (--either-that-option | <or-this-argument>)
  my_program <repeating-argument> <repeating-argument>...

Typically, your help output should include:

  • Description of what the app does
  • Usage syntax, which:
    • Uses [options] to indicate where the options go
    • arg_name for a required, singular arg
    • [arg_name] for an optional, singular arg
    • arg_name... for a required arg of which there can be many (this is rare)
    • [arg_name...] for an arg for which any number can be supplied
    • note that arg_name should be a descriptive, short name, in lower, snake case
  • A nicely-formatted list of options, each:
    • having a short description
    • showing the default value, if there is one
    • showing the possible values, if that applies
    • Note that if an option can accept a short form (e.g. -l) or a long form (e.g. --list), include them together on the same line, as their descriptions will be the same
  • Brief indicator of the location of config files or environment variables that might be the source of command line arguments, e.g. GREP_OPTS
  • If there is a man page, indicate as such, otherwise, a brief indicator of where more detailed help can be found

Note further that it's good form to accept both -h and --help to trigger this message and that you should show this message if the user messes up the command-line syntax, e.g. omits a required argument.


I think there is no standard syntax for command line usage, but most use this convention:

Microsoft Command-Line Syntax, IBM has similar Command-Line Syntax


  • Text without brackets or braces

    Items you must type as shown

  • <Text inside angle brackets>

    Placeholder for which you must supply a value

  • [Text inside square brackets]

    Optional items

  • {Text inside braces}

    Set of required items; choose one

  • Vertical bar {a|b}

    Separator for mutually exclusive items; choose one

  • Ellipsis <file> …

    Items that can be repeated