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entr
by
Gustavo Madeira Santana
· GitHub ↗
· v1.0.0
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Install in OpenClaw
/install entr
Description
Run arbitrary commands when files change. Useful for watching files and triggering builds or tests.
README (SKILL.md)
entr (Event Notify Test Runner)
A utility for running arbitrary commands when files change.
Usage
entr takes a list of filenames from standard input and executes the utility specified as the first argument.
Syntax
\x3Cfile_listing_command> | entr \x3Cutility> [arguments]
Options
-c: Clear the screen before invoking the utility.-r: Reload a persistent child process (e.g., a server).-s: Evaluate the first argument using the interpreter specified bySHELL.
Examples
Rebuild project when sources change:
find src/ -name "*.c" | entr make
Run tests when JS files change:
git ls-files | grep '\.js$' | entr npm test
Auto-reload a Node server:
ls *.js | entr -r node app.js
Agent Notes
entr blocks the terminal. When using it as an agent:
- Use
processtool to run it in the background if you need to do other things. - Or use it for a quick "watch mode" session where you intend to monitor output for a while.
Usage Guidance
This skill is just documentation for using the external 'entr' program — it does not install anything. Before using or allowing an agent to invoke it: (1) ensure you have the official 'entr' package installed from your OS package manager or trusted source; (2) review and control the exact commands you will run under entr — it will execute arbitrary shell commands on file changes and those commands can be destructive; (3) avoid running watched commands as a privileged user, and prefer testing in a sandboxed or non-production directory first; (4) if you allow autonomous agent invocation, restrict the agent's ability to run destructive commands or limit it to safe wrappers that validate inputs.
Capability Analysis
Type: OpenClaw Skill
Name: entr
Version: 1.0.0
The skill bundle describes the `entr` utility, which allows executing arbitrary commands when files change. While `entr` is a legitimate tool, its core functionality of running "arbitrary commands" and specifically the `-s` option (evaluating arguments using `SHELL`) provides a broad and powerful command execution primitive. This capability, exposed as an AI agent skill, presents a significant risk for potential misuse or prompt injection, even though the skill itself does not demonstrate explicit malicious intent. The `SKILL.md` file details these capabilities.
Capability Assessment
Purpose & Capability
The name/description match the SKILL.md content: this skill documents usage of the 'entr' utility to run commands on file changes. It requests no binaries, env vars, or config paths and does not try to perform unrelated actions.
Instruction Scope
Instructions stay on-topic (examples show piping file lists into entr and options). However, by design the tool runs arbitrary utilities/commands when files change — that capability is powerful and could be harmful if the commands provided are unsafe. The SKILL.md also suggests using a 'process' tool to run it in background (agent-specific advice) but does not instruct reading unrelated files or secrets.
Install Mechanism
No install spec—this is instruction-only, so nothing is downloaded or written by the skill itself (lowest install risk).
Credentials
No environment variables or credentials are requested. The only environment reference is that the '-s' option evaluates the command under SHELL, which is expected and proportional.
Persistence & Privilege
always:false (no forced inclusion). disable-model-invocation is false (agent may invoke autonomously), which is the platform default; there is no attempt to modify other skills or system configs.
How to Use
- Make sure OpenClaw is installed (local or Docker)
- Run the install command in chat:
/install entr - After installation, invoke the skill by name or use
/entr - Provide required inputs per the skill's parameter spec and get structured output
Version History
v1.0.0
Initial release
Metadata
Frequently Asked Questions
What is entr?
Run arbitrary commands when files change. Useful for watching files and triggering builds or tests. It is an AI Agent Skill for Claude Code / OpenClaw, with 2142 downloads so far.
How do I install entr?
Run "/install entr" in the OpenClaw or Claude Code chat to install it in one step — no extra setup required.
Is entr free?
Yes, entr is completely free (open-source). You can download, install and use it at no cost.
Which platforms does entr support?
entr is cross-platform and runs anywhere OpenClaw / Claude Code is available (cross-platform).
Who created entr?
It is built and maintained by Gustavo Madeira Santana (@gumadeiras); the current version is v1.0.0.
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