Npl CLI is a command-line interface tool from Noumenadigital, built with Kotlin, designed for developing and deploying applications written in Noumena Protocol Language (NPL). It functions as a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server, connecting to the Noumena Engine locally or in the NOUMENA Cloud. Distributed via Homebrew for macOS and as downloadable binaries for various operating systems, Npl CLI helps developers create secure backend services and APIs, supporting integration with AI tools.

What does Npl CLI connect to?

The Npl CLI connects to the Noumena Engine, which operates as a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server. This engine can run either locally on a developer's machine or within the NOUMENA Cloud. The tool's primary role is to support the development and deployment of secure backend services and APIs written in Noumena Protocol Language (NPL). It also supports MCP for integration with local AI tools, including VS Code, Cursor, and Claude Code clients.

Core features and tools

Npl CLI provides several callable tools. Developers can npl deploy NPL sources, npl check for compilation errors, and npl test applications. For cloud operations, npl cloud login and npl cloud logout manage authentication, while npl cloud status lists tenants and applications. Project initialization is handled by npl init, and npl openapi generates OpenAPI specifications. Specific cloud deployment is done via npl cloud deploy npl.

Who is it for?

Npl CLI is for developers building secure backend services and APIs using Noumena Protocol Language (NPL). This includes those who need to integrate their development workflows with AI tools. It supports local application development, deployment to NOUMENA Cloud, and AI-assisted code generation. The tool specifically targets developers needing to manage NPL projects from initialization through testing and deployment. Skip this if you are not working with Noumena Protocol Language.

How to get started

Access is granted through a standard OAuth authorization flow via "npl cloud login" for interactive users, storing an access token. Alternatively, service accounts use a secret key from NOUMENA Cloud set as the NPL_SERVICE_ACCOUNT_CLIENT_SECRET environment variable for machine-to-machine communication. For local development, an embedded OIDC server provides JWT tokens.

Use cases

• Local NPL application development and testing: Initialize projects, write code, check for errors, run tests, and deploy to a local NPL Runtime.
• Deployment to NOUMENA Cloud: Authenticate and deploy NPL source code to cloud applications, including within CI/CD pipelines.
• AI-assisted development and interaction: Act as an MCP server, allowing AI clients to generate NPL code, deploy to the local runtime, and interact with NPL applications.

Npl CLI is a specialized tool for NPL developers, offering capabilities for local development, cloud deployment, and AI integration. It supports various authentication models, from interactive logins to service accounts and local OIDC. The CLI provides essential commands for project lifecycle management, validation, and testing. Its ability to act as an MCP server extends its utility for modern AI-driven workflows. Try initializing a new NPL project using "npl init".