Script Banner Generator Skill

This Skill ensures that every new script or tool created in this repository includes a standardized information banner that displays script metadata and requires user confirmation before execution.

Purpose

All scripts and tools in the tech-support-tools repository must include:

1. An ASCII-formatted banner displaying script information
2. User interaction requiring Enter key press to proceed
3. Consistent branding with author information

When to Use This Skill

ALWAYS use this Skill when:

• Creating a new PowerShell script (.ps1 file)
• Creating a new Bash script (.sh file)
• Creating any new executable tool or utility
• The user requests a new script or tool

DO NOT use this Skill when:

• Editing existing scripts (unless adding banner is specifically requested)
• Creating configuration files, documentation, or non-executable files

Required Banner Information

Every script banner must include:

• Tool Name: Descriptive name of the script/tool
• About: Brief description of what the script does
• Author: Mchael Poncardas
• Email: m@poncardas.com
• Version: Starting version number (default: 1.0 for new scripts)
• Last Updated: Current date in YYYY-MM-DD format
• Requires: Platform/version requirements (e.g., "PowerShell 5.1 or later", "Bash 4.0+")

Implementation Instructions

For PowerShell Scripts

1. Console Banner (before script execution):

   • Use the PowerShell template from templates/powershell-banner.ps1
   • Place the banner code AFTER parameter declarations but BEFORE main script logic
   • Include within an if (-not $NoLogFile) or similar conditional for scripts with non-interactive modes
   • Always include Read-Host -Prompt "Press 'Enter' key to run [Script Name]"

2. Log File Banner (if script generates logs):

   • Use the same banner format with Write-Log function
   • Place at the beginning of log file output

3. Banner Width:

   • Total width: 79 characters (including border characters)
   • Border characters: + for corners/lines, | for sides
   • Content area: 77 characters (between the | characters)

For Bash Scripts

1. Console Banner:

   • Use the Bash template from templates/bash-banner.sh
   • Place near the beginning of the script, after shebang and initial setup
   • Always include read -p "Press Enter to continue..." </dev/tty

2. Banner Width:

   • Same as PowerShell: 79 characters total

Banner Template Structure

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------+
|                             [SCRIPT NAME HERE]                              |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| About        : [Brief description of what the script does - can wrap]      |
| Author       : Mchael Poncardas                                             |
| Email        : m@poncardas.com                                              |
| Version      : [X.Y]                                                        |
| Last Updated : [YYYY-MM-DD]                                                 |
| Requires     : [Platform/version requirements]                             |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------+

Formatting Rules:

• Script name should be CENTERED and UPPERCASE
• Field labels are left-aligned with consistent spacing
• Use : (colon-space) separator after field labels
• Maintain consistent column alignment for readability
• Pad with spaces to keep border alignment

Version Numbering

• New scripts: Start at 1.0
• Bug fixes: Increment patch (1.0 → 1.1)
• New features: Increment minor (1.0 → 2.0)
• Breaking changes: Increment major if needed

Date Format

• Always use ISO format: YYYY-MM-DD
• Example: 2025-12-26

Checklist for New Scripts

Before completing a new script, verify:

• ✅ Banner is present in console output
• ✅ Banner is present in log file output (if applicable)
• ✅ Banner displays script name (centered, uppercase)
• ✅ Banner displays brief description
• ✅ Banner shows author: "Mchael Poncardas"
• ✅ Banner shows email: "m@poncardas.com"
• ✅ Banner shows version number
• ✅ Banner shows last updated date (today's date)
• ✅ Banner shows platform requirements
• ✅ User must press Enter to proceed
• ✅ Banner width is exactly 79 characters
• ✅ All text is properly aligned

Examples

Example 1: PowerShell Diagnostic Script

# After parameters, before main logic:
if (-not $NoLogFile) {
    Write-Host ""
    Write-Host "+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------+"
    Write-Host "|                          NETWORK DIAGNOSTICS TOOL                           |"
    Write-Host "+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------+"
    Write-Host "| About        : Performs comprehensive network connectivity tests and        |"
    Write-Host "|                generates a detailed diagnostic report.                      |"
    Write-Host "| Author       : Mchael Poncardas                                             |"
    Write-Host "| Email        : m@poncardas.com                                              |"
    Write-Host "| Version      : 1.0                                                          |"
    Write-Host "| Last Updated : 2025-12-26                                                   |"
    Write-Host "| Requires     : PowerShell 5.1 or later                                      |"
    Write-Host "+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------+"
    Write-Host ""
    Read-Host -Prompt "Press 'Enter' key to run Network Diagnostics"
}

Example 2: Bash Backup Script

#!/bin/bash

# Display banner
echo ""
echo "+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------+"
echo "|                            BACKUP AUTOMATION TOOL                           |"
echo "+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------+"
echo "| About        : Automates incremental backups using rsync with retention     |"
echo "|                policies and detailed logging.                               |"
echo "| Author       : Mchael Poncardas                                             |"
echo "| Email        : m@poncardas.com                                              |"
echo "| Version      : 1.0                                                          |"
echo "| Last Updated : 2025-12-26                                                   |"
echo "| Requires     : Bash 4.0 or later, rsync                                     |"
echo "+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------+"
echo ""
read -p "Press Enter to start backup process..."

Integration with Comment-Based Help

For PowerShell scripts, the banner information should match the .NOTES section in comment-based help:

.NOTES
    Author: Mchael Poncardas (m@poncardas.com)
    Version: 1.0
    Last Updated: 2025-12-26
    Requires: PowerShell 5.1 or later

Keep both synchronized when updating versions or dates.

Reference Files

• templates/powershell-banner.ps1 - Complete PowerShell banner code template
• templates/bash-banner.sh - Complete Bash banner code template

Notes

• The banner is part of the user experience and branding consistency
• Banners should display BEFORE any actual script operations begin
• For scripts with -WhatIf or dry-run modes, still show the banner
• For truly silent/automated scripts (e.g., scheduled tasks), consider making the banner conditional with a -Silent parameter

Workflow

When the user requests a new script:

1. Gather script requirements (name, purpose, platform)
2. Immediately include the banner code in your implementation
3. Populate banner fields with:
   • Script name (from requirements)
   • Description (from requirements)
   • Version: 1.0 (for new scripts)
   • Last Updated: Today's date
   • Requires: Appropriate platform/version
4. Ensure Enter key prompt is included
5. Test banner width (should be exactly 79 characters)

IMPORTANT: Do not ask the user if they want a banner - it's mandatory for all new scripts in this repository.