CLI Learning Path

A focused path for using SolStudio from a terminal. The CLI path is short on purpose: learn the command, when to use it, then practice choosing it.

Install the CLI

npm install -g @solstudio/cli

Requires Node.js 18+ or Bun. After install the solstudio binary is available globally.

Understand the local workflow

The CLI is for local projects and local inspection. It does not replace the visual builder; it feeds local Rust or IDL into SolStudio.

Initialize

bun run solstudio init .

Creates SolStudio project config and detects Anchor, Pinocchio, Quasar, or unknown mode.

Use when: Run this first in an existing Solana project.

Open visualizer

bun run solstudio view .

Starts the local server and opens the project graph in the browser.

Use when: Use this when you want a visual read of a local project.

Summarize Rust

bun run solstudio parse . --format summary

Counts instructions, accounts, states, errors, events, logic operations, nodes, and edges.

Use when: Use this before opening a large project.

Export IR

bun run solstudio parse . --format ir --output flow-ir.json

Writes SolStudio intermediate representation for debugging or tooling.

Use when: Use this when you need structured data, not the UI.

Import IDL

bun run solstudio idl ./target/idl/vault.json --output vault-flow.json

Converts IDL instructions, accounts, errors, and events into flow JSON.

Use when: Use this when you only have an IDL file.

Pick the command that matches each situation. This is the fastest way to remember the CLI.

You cloned an Anchor project and want the visualizer.

You want a short count of instructions and accounts.

You have only an IDL JSON and want flow data.

Use this exact sequence the first time you bring a local project into SolStudio.

Run init

bun run solstudio init .

Check the summary

bun run solstudio parse . --format summary

Open the visualizer

bun run solstudio view .

Export IR only if needed

bun run solstudio parse . --format ir --output flow-ir.json