onshell

onshell is a software project that provides a command-line shell and an accompanying scripting language. It is designed to function as both a stand-alone shell and an embeddable component that can be integrated into other applications. The project aims to offer a modern alternative to traditional shells by combining interactive features with a programmable environment, while maintaining cross-platform compatibility for Unix-like systems and Windows.

Key features typically highlighted by the project include an extensible plugin system that allows adding builtins and commands without recompiling the core, a built-in REPL for interactive use, and a scripting language with first-class functions and data structures. The shell emphasizes safer command substitution and error handling, improved job control, and support for pipelines, redirection, and asynchronous I/O. It also provides facilities for cross-language bindings and cooperates with existing tools by exposing common shell semantics.

In terms of architecture, onshell presents a modular core with APIs intended for embedding, along with a separate runtime for the scripting language and a set of optional modules. The design aims to decouple the shell's user-facing behavior from the underlying execution model, enabling easier testing and extension.

onshell is open source, with public repositories and documentation available for users and contributors. It targets major desktop and server platforms and seeks to integrate with existing toolchains and workflows, while offering a more predictable and developer-friendly scripting experience.