Building CLIs in 5 Minutes with Go: Why the Terminal is the Future (Vim Included)

I’ll show you how to pack a powerful CLI in just 5 minutes, proving that a well-crafted CLI beats any bloated GUI. Whether you’re managing Kubernetes clusters, automating cloud workflows, or just solving everyday dev tasks, Go has the tools to build fast and flexible CLIs, and I’ll walk you through the magic of it all.

No long, drawn-out explanations just hot takes and hot software. We’ll set up a fully functional command-line tool, explore Go’s lightning-fast ecosystem, and ship something tangible. Plus, I’ll drop tips on why Kubernetes makes everything better, how Go simplifies the dev workflow, and why Vim remains undefeated when you’re serious about development speed.

Expect strong opinions, some caffeine-fueled coding, and an unapologetic look at why CLIs are the future of productivity in dev workflows. Whether you’re a cloud engineer, backend dev, or just someone tired of clicking through endless GUIs, this session will show you why you need a CLI in your life.

I build cool stuff with Go, React and Next.js while living in the terminal (yes, I use Arch BTW). As a core contributor to Harbor & Harbor CLI, a CNCF graduated Project. I’ve helped scale cloud-native registries, and as a core contributor of Harbor CLI, I ensure developer tools are efficient and user-friendly. Containers, Linux, and crafting CLIs are my jam, with AWS, Docker, and Kubernetes as my go-to tools for building scalable infrastructures.

When I’m not optimizing cloud workflows, I’m solving algorithmic problems in Java and getting stuck in Vim. My work has improved deployment pipelines, streamlined developer operations, and simplified complex cloud architectures.

Vim > IDEs, nothing beats a well-crafted CLI, and Kubernetes makes everything better. Looking for roles where I can ship impactful code, contribute to open-source, and tackle complex engineering problems over coffee. A versatile dev who thrives on React, Go, Java, and all things cloud!

Building CLIs in 5 Minutes with Go: Why the Terminal is the Future (Vim Included)

Prasanth Baskar