sparks

Catch the thought before it disappears. A fast, local-first CLI for ideas, tasks and nested thoughts

curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/JuanCarlosAcostaPeraba/sparks-cli/main/scripts/install.sh | sh
sparks — shell
$ sparks add "Ship the CLI"
Added spark 1
$ sparks add --parent 1 "Write docs"
Added spark 2
$ sparks tree
└─ [!] 1) Ship the CLI
   └─ [ ] 1.1) Write docs

# fast capture, local SQLite, JSON when needed

Built for terminal-first thinking

sparks keeps capture close to where work already happens. No dashboard, no sync account, no context switch.

Capture before the thought disappears.

One command is enough to save a task, note, or half-formed idea while you stay in flow.

Keep related ideas connected.

Use --parent to create sub-ideas and view them with hierarchical numbering.

Local, native, scriptable.

A Go binary backed by local SQLite, with JSON output when you want to pipe or automate.

Small command surface. Useful defaults

The default command lists active sparks. Aliases keep common actions short when you are already in flow.

sparks + "Idea"Capture a spark quickly with the short alias.
sparks add --parent 1 "Sub-idea"Attach a nested thought to a parent idea.
sparks treeSee a numbered tree of related ideas.
sparks ! 3Toggle important status.
sparks ok 3Mark a spark as completed.
sparks search "docs"Find sparks by title.

A small tool with a clear path

The roadmap keeps sparks focused: better capture first, richer organization next, and careful integrations only when the local workflow stays fast.

01Now

Make capture frictionless

Keep the CLI tiny, fast, and forgiving for adding, finding, and finishing sparks.

02Next

Make connected ideas visible

Improve tree views, filtering, and review flows so nested work stays readable.

03Later

Make local data useful elsewhere

Add export and automation hooks without turning sparks into another cloud dashboard.

View full roadmap

One command. Then stay in flow

The official installers detect your platform, verify the download checksum, and put sparks on your PATH.

Shell

macOS and Linux

Install the latest release for your operating system and architecture.

curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/JuanCarlosAcostaPeraba/sparks-cli/main/scripts/install.sh | sh
PowerShell

Windows

Run the checksum-verifying installer from PowerShell.

irm https://raw.githubusercontent.com/JuanCarlosAcostaPeraba/sparks-cli/main/scripts/install.ps1 | iex