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CycloneDX CLI is a command-line utility for processing software bill of materials (BOM) documents. It can analyze, compare, merge, convert, validate, sign, and verify BOMs, and add file information. It is designed for scripted workflows—not documented as a general-purpose source-code or dependency scanner.
What CycloneDX CLI does
The utility works with BOM documents and supports jobs such as inspecting a BOM, comparing two documents, combining them, changing their format, validating them, and applying or checking signatures. Its add files example can generate a source-code BOM from files; that example does not establish that the CLI is a general source or dependency scanner.
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The project describes the CLI as built for automation use cases. That makes it useful when BOM processing needs to be part of a repeatable script or pipeline, provided the installed version supports the command and options you need. The project’s README is on the moving main branch, so its command help and supported formats may change.
Choose a command by the job
| Command or task | Use it for | Important distinction |
|---|---|---|
analyze |
Inspect or analyze a BOM document. | It operates on BOM data; do not assume it scans a project’s dependencies. |
diff |
Compare two BOM documents. | Useful for identifying document differences rather than converting formats. |
merge |
Combine BOM documents. | Combining documents is separate from validating their conformance. |
convert |
Transform a BOM between documented formats. | Conversion supports a wider format set than the documented validation inputs. |
add files |
Add file information; the README also shows generating a source-code BOM from files. | This does not make the CLI a general dependency-scanning tool. |
validate |
Check JSON or XML input against a selected CycloneDX specification version. | Validation is not the same as format conversion. |
sign / verify |
Sign a BOM or verify a signature. | Check the installed command’s help for the exact required options. |
Convert a BOM between formats
The README documents conversion among CycloneDX XML, JSON, Protobuf, and CSV, as well as SPDX JSON v2.3. Which formats are accepted as input or output depends on the command’s current options, so consult the installed release’s help rather than assuming every listed format works in both directions.
This documented example reads JSON from standard input, requests XML output, and redirects the result to a file:
cat bom.json | cyclonedx-cli convert --input-format json --output-format xml > bom.xmlFor a pipeline, make the input and output formats explicit when the command requires them. The project README notes that format selection may be needed when piping data.
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Validate a BOM from the command line
The README’s validation help lists JSON and XML inputs and CycloneDX specification versions 1.0 through 1.7, with 1.7 displayed as the default. These are README-listed options, not a guarantee for every release: check your installed binary’s help for the supported versions and default.
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The documented example asks the command to fail on errors:
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cyclonedx-cli validate --input-file sbom.xml --fail-on-errorsValidation is narrower than conversion in documented format coverage: the README describes JSON and XML validation inputs, while conversion additionally lists Protobuf, CSV, and SPDX JSON v2.3. Do not infer that every conversion format can be passed to validate.
Install the CLI
The project README documents two installation routes: Homebrew and downloadable release binaries. Its Homebrew command is:
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brew install cyclonedx/cyclonedx/cyclonedx-cliAlternatively, download a binary from the project’s releases page. The available material does not establish a latest release number or date. After installation, run the binary’s help and consult the notes for that release before relying on particular flags or format support.
Use stdin and stdout in scripts
Commands with an --input-file option support reading from standard input, and commands with an --output-file option support writing to standard output. This enables chaining tools without creating intermediate files, but the supported flags and any required format arguments are command-specific.
Quick Recap
- Check the installed command’s help to confirm it has the input or output option you plan to use.
- Specify formats explicitly when piping if the command needs them to interpret the data.
- For validation in a script, use the documented
--fail-on-errorsoption only after confirming it exists in your installed version; the README example uses it to return a non-zero exit code on errors.
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