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Version: 1.3.0

thresh generate

Generate custom environment blueprints using AI from natural language descriptions.

Synopsis​

thresh generate <prompt> [options]

Description​

The generate command uses AI (via GitHub Copilot SDK) to create custom environment blueprints from natural language descriptions. The AI analyzes your requirements and generates a complete blueprint specification.

AI Model Support

Supports 20+ AI models including GPT-4o, Claude 3.5, Gemini 1.5, and more. Set your preferred model with thresh config set default-model.

Arguments​

ArgumentRequiredDescription
<prompt>YesNatural language description of the environment

Options​

OptionDescription
--model <name>, -mUse specific AI model (overrides default)
--output <file>, -oSave blueprint to file
--verbose, -vShow AI reasoning process
--help, -hShow help information

Examples​

Basic Usage​

thresh generate "Python data science environment with Jupyter and pandas"

Output:

{
  "name": "python-datascience",
  "description": "Python data science environment with Jupyter and pandas",
  "base": "ubuntu-22.04",
  "packages": [
    "python3",
    "python3-pip",
    "python3-venv",
    "build-essential",
    "git"
  ],
  "post_install": [
    "pip3 install jupyter pandas numpy matplotlib seaborn scikit-learn",
    "jupyter notebook --generate-config"
  ]
}

Save to File​

# Save and use
thresh generate "Node.js 20 with TypeScript and PostgreSQL" > node-ts.json
thresh up node-ts

Use Specific Model​

# Use Claude 3.5 Sonnet
thresh generate "Rust development environment" --model claude-3.5-sonnet

# Use GPT-4o
thresh generate "Go web server with Redis" --model gpt-4o

Complex Environments​

thresh generate "Full-stack development environment with:
- Node.js 20 and TypeScript
- PostgreSQL 15
- Redis 7
- nginx as reverse proxy
- Docker for containerization
- Git and common dev tools"

Output includes:

  • Base distribution selection
  • All required packages
  • Service configuration scripts
  • Environment variables
  • Post-install setup

Save with Custom Name​

# Generate and save
thresh generate "PHP 8.2 with Laravel" --output ~/.thresh/blueprints/laravel.json

# List to verify
thresh blueprints

# Provision
thresh up laravel

Blueprint Customization​

Edit Generated Blueprints​

# Generate
thresh generate "Python environment" > custom.json

# Edit with your preferred editor
code custom.json  # VS Code
notepad custom.json  # Notepad

# Use modified blueprint
thresh up custom

Common Modifications​

Add packages:

{
  "packages": [
    "python3",
    "git",
    "neovim"  // Added manually
  ]
}

Add environment variables:

{
  "env": {
    "EDITOR": "vim",
    "PATH": "/usr/local/bin:$PATH"
  }
}

Add custom scripts:

{
  "post_install": [
    "pip install -r requirements.txt",
    "git config --global user.name 'Your Name'",
    "echo 'source ~/.bashrc' >> ~/.profile"
  ]
}

AI Models​

Available Models​

# GPT Models (fastest)
thresh generate "..." --model gpt-4o
thresh generate "..." --model gpt-4o-mini

# Claude Models (best for complex specs)
thresh generate "..." --model claude-3.5-sonnet
thresh generate "..." --model claude-3-opus

# Reasoning Models (for complex requirements)
thresh generate "..." --model o1-preview

# Gemini Models
thresh generate "..." --model gemini-1.5-pro

# Open Source Models
thresh generate "..." --model llama-3.1-405b
thresh generate "..." --model mistral-large

Set Default Model​

# Set for all future commands
thresh config set default-model claude-3.5-sonnet

# Verify
thresh config get default-model

Prompt Engineering Tips​

Be Specific​

# ❌ Vague
thresh generate "development environment"

# ✅ Specific
thresh generate "Node.js 20 development with Express, TypeScript, and MongoDB"

Include Version Numbers​

# ✅ Better
thresh generate "Python 3.11 with Django 5.0 and PostgreSQL 15"

Specify Tools and Configuration​

# ✅ Comprehensive
thresh generate "
Go 1.21 development environment with:
- golangci-lint for code quality
- delve for debugging
- PostgreSQL 15 client libraries
- Docker CLI
- git with pre-commit hooks
- vim with go plugin
"

Troubleshooting​

"GitHub CLI not authenticated"​

# Check authentication
gh auth status

# Re-authenticate
gh auth login

# Verify
thresh config status

"Model not available"​

# List supported models (see documentation)
# Use a different model
thresh generate "..." --model gpt-4o

Invalid Blueprint Generated​

The AI occasionally generates invalid JSON. Edit the output:

# Generate
thresh generate "..." > blueprint.json

# Validate JSON syntax
cat blueprint.json | ConvertFrom-Json

# Fix any issues manually
notepad blueprint.json

Exit Codes​

CodeMeaning
0Blueprint generated successfully
1AI error or invalid response
2Invalid arguments
5Configuration error (API key missing)

See Also​