Replace the step-by-step docs nobody reads — write a YAML task once that anyone can run.

Other task runners are either predictable or interactive. Hobnob is both.

Built for CI/CD pipelines, interactive developer CLIs, and a drop-in replacement for the Confluence docs nobody can find and nobody keeps current.

# hobnob.yml

tasks:
  get-releases:
    steps:
      - run: curl -s https://api.github.com/repos/jakesmd/hobnob/releases | awk -F'"' '/tag_name/{print $4}' | head -8
        into:
          - RELEASE_LIST: stdout | lines
      - get:
          - RELEASES:
              info: Releases to download
              options: .RELEASE_LIST
              default: .RELEASE_LIST | first
              multi: true
      - call: _pick-dir
        into:
          - DIR: .FOLDER
      - loop: .RELEASES
        steps:
          - run: curl -L -o {{.DIR}}/hobnob-{{.ITEM}}.tar.gz "https://github.com/jakesmd/hobnob/archive/refs/tags/{{.ITEM}}.tar.gz"

  _pick-dir:
    steps:
      - get:
          - FOLDER:
              info: Folder to save the releases to
              default: ./downloads
      - run: mkdir -p {{.FOLDER}}

hobnob --list
hobnob get-releases
hobnob get-releases FOLDER=./releases   # skip the folder prompt

Example prompt (without the colors)

% hobnob get-releases

Select values for RELEASES.
Releases to download
  ◉ v0.3.0
▶ ○ v0.2.1
  ○ v0.2.0
  ○ v0.1.0
↑↓ move  space toggle  enter confirm

Prompts — text input or selection menus, placed anywhere in the timeline. Options can pull from a previous step's output.

Sub-task returns — run separate tasks and explicitly pull their variables back into the parent context, ensuring predictable data flow without accidental leaks.

Modules — pull tasks from other files.

Dynamic everywhere — set variables at any point, not just upfront. Go templates in values, conditions, options, ...

curl -fsSL https://github.com/jakesmd/hobnob/releases/latest/download/install.sh | bash

Everything you need to know to write your first file is right here in the hobnob guide.

Got ideas or fixes? Check out the Contributing guide to see how to get involved and submit a PR.