Molt

    molt add

    Record a changeset -- which packages a change affects, how much each should bump, and what the changelog should say.

    molt add is also the default command: running molt with no command word runs add (see CLI reference).

    Synopsis

    molt add [OPTIONS]
molt                       # same as: molt add

    Description

    molt add writes one changeset file into .changeset/, named with a random three-word slug (for example .changeset/tidy-eels-return.md). The file records a bump type per affected package plus a human-written summary. You commit it alongside your code. See Changesets and Adding a changeset for the full walkthrough, and Changeset file format for the grammar.

    There are three ways to drive it.

    Interactive

    With no selection flags, molt add prompts:

    1. Which packages changed. In a workspace, packages you have changed since the base branch are listed first. In a single-package project this step is skipped.
    2. How much each bumps -- a major, minor, or patch. Anything not chosen as major or minor is patched.
    3. A summary for the changelog. Submitting an empty summary opens $EDITOR.

    Cancelling any prompt with Ctrl-C exits 0 and writes nothing.

    Non-interactive (flags)

    Select packages and bumps entirely on the command line -- the path for Dependabot, Renovate, and code generation, none of which can answer prompts.

    • --package pkg-a --bump minor selects packages and applies one bump type to all of them.
    • --major pkg-a --minor pkg-b --patch pkg-c selects per bump type, changesets-style. Both --package/--bump and the per-type flags are repeatable.

    Pair either with --message for a fully non-interactive run. Without --message, molt still prompts for the summary.

    Non-interactive (stdin)

    molt add --stdin reads a JSON payload from standard input and writes the changeset with no TTY:

    { "releases": [ { "name": "acme-core", "bump": "minor" } ], "summary": "Add streaming export." }

    Options

    OptionTypeDefaultDescription
    -p, --package <name>list--Package to include. Repeatable. Combined with --bump.
    --bump {major,minor,patch,none}string--Bump type applied to every --package selection.
    --major <name>list--Package(s) to bump major. Repeatable.
    --minor <name>list--Package(s) to bump minor. Repeatable.
    --patch <name>list--Package(s) to bump patch. Repeatable.
    -m, --message <text>string--Changelog summary. Skips the summary prompt. -m "" writes an empty summary and still skips the prompt.
    --emptyflagoffWrite a changeset with no releases (records "no release needed"). Skips every prompt. Combine with -m for a note.
    --stdinflagoffRead a JSON changeset payload from standard input.
    --openflagoffOpen the written changeset in $EDITOR afterward.
    --since <ref>stringbase branchWhich packages are listed first in the interactive prompt (those changed since <ref>). Does not change what a changeset can contain.
    --non-interactive, --yesflagoffRequire a complete selection via flags or --stdin; never prompt. Exits non-zero if input is missing.
    --dry-runflagoffPrint the changeset that would be written; write nothing.
    --cwd <path>pathcurrent directoryDirectory to run in; root discovery starts here.
    -h, --helpflag--Show help and exit.

    Repeatable flags always yield a list, and repeated scalars keep the last value (see Option-normalization rules).

    Validation

    molt add rejects an invalid selection before writing anything:

    • A package named in --major/--minor/--patch/--package that is not in the project produces The package <name> is passed to the --<type> option but it is not found in the project.
    • The same package under two bump types produces The package <name> is passed to multiple release type options ... Please select only one release type for this package.
    • A project with no versionable packages exits 1 with guidance to check ignore and that manifests carry a version.

    Exit codes

    SituationExit code
    Changeset written (or --dry-run printed)0
    Prompt cancelled with Ctrl-C0
    Unknown or duplicated package, or no versionable packages1
    .changeset/ missing (run molt init)1
    --non-interactive with an incomplete selection1

    Examples

    Interactive (or just molt):

    molt add

    Fully non-interactive, one package:

    molt add --package acme-core --bump minor -m "Add streaming export."

    changesets-style per-type selection, several packages:

    molt add --minor acme-core --patch acme-cli -m "Streaming export plus CLI progress bar."

    An empty changeset for a change that needs no release:

    molt add --empty -m "Docs-only change."

    From a machine, over stdin:

    echo '{"releases":[{"name":"acme-core","bump":"patch"}],"summary":"Fix off-by-one."}' | molt add --stdin

    See also