“arc” stands for Arcanist, which is a powerful command-line interface (CLI) tool designed for interacting with the Phabricator code collaboration platform. Phabricator is a suite of web-based tools used for code review, task management, and collaboration in software development projects. With its comprehensive set of features, “arc” provides developers with a seamless and efficient workflow for interacting with Phabricator’s functionalities directly from the command line.
Here are the key features and functionalities of “arc”:
- Code Review Management: “arc” simplifies the process of creating and managing code reviews in Phabricator. Developers can use “arc” to create new code review requests, submit revisions, and update existing reviews, all without leaving the command-line interface. This streamlines the code review workflow and allows developers to focus on their coding tasks while ensuring code quality and collaboration within the team.
- Differential Integration: Differential is Phabricator’s code review tool, and “arc” provides seamless integration with it. Developers can use “arc” to create and update Differential revisions, add reviewers, leave comments, and address feedback directly from the command line. This enables a streamlined and efficient code review process without the need for manual interaction with the Phabricator web interface.
- Task Management: “arc” facilitates task management by integrating with Phabricator’s Maniphest, the task tracking tool. Developers can use “arc” to create, update, and view tasks, assign them to team members, set priorities, and track progress. This helps developers stay organized and ensures that tasks are easily accessible and manageable from the command line.
- Version Control Integration: “arc” seamlessly integrates with version control systems like Git and Mercurial. It provides commands to interact with repositories, create and apply patches, handle commits, and perform other version control operations. This allows developers to work with their code repositories directly from the command line, enhancing productivity and convenience.
- Customization and Extensions: “arc” provides a flexible and extensible framework that allows developers to customize its behavior and extend its functionalities. Developers can create their own “arc” commands, hooks, and workflows to automate repetitive tasks or integrate with their specific development processes. This flexibility makes “arc” adaptable to various project requirements and workflows.
- Command-Line Interface: “arc” is a command-line tool, enabling developers to interact with Phabricator’s features and workflows directly from the terminal. This makes it easy to integrate “arc” into scripts, automate tasks, and incorporate it into existing development workflows.
- Community and Documentation: “arc” benefits from an active and supportive community of developers who contribute to its development and provide assistance. The tool is well-documented, with extensive resources and documentation available to help developers get started, learn its capabilities, and troubleshoot any issues they may encounter.
“arc” is an indispensable tool for developers working with Phabricator, providing a seamless and efficient workflow for code review, task management, and version control integration. With its command-line interface and extensive features, “arc” empowers developers to streamline their development processes, collaborate effectively, and maintain code quality, all while working within their preferred command-line environment.
arc Command Examples
1. Send the changes to Differential for review:
# arc diff
2. Show pending revision information:
# arc list
3. Update Git commit messages after review:
# arc amend
4. Push Git changes:
# arc land