klim why

Show all references to a tool across projects, packs, and your system.

Usage

klim why <tool> [flags]

Flags

Flag	Description
--output	Output format: text (default) or json

What It Shows

• Install status — version, source, binary path, available updates
• Project references — which .klim.yaml files require or optionally include it
• Pack references — which marketplace and custom packs include it
• Available packages — all package manager IDs for the tool
• Related tools — installed tools in the same category/tags

Examples

klim why kubectl

kubectl (K8s)
  Kubernetes command-line tool

  ✓ Installed: 1.28.0 (brew) at /usr/local/bin/kubectl

  Referenced by:
    • .klim.yaml (required >=1.28) — /home/user/myproject/.klim.yaml
    • Pack "K8s Essentials" (k8s-essentials)
    • Custom pack "My Stack" (my-stack)

  Available via: winget: Kubernetes.kubectl, brew: kubernetes-cli, apt: kubectl
  Related installed tools: helm, k9s, istioctl

JSON Output

--output json returns a structured report. All collection fields (references, available_via, related_tools, warnings) are always present as arrays — [] when empty, never null:

{
  "name": "kubectl",
  "display_name": "kubectl",
  "category": "K8s",
  "installed": true,
  "version": "1.28.0",
  "source": "brew",
  "path": "/usr/local/bin/kubectl",
  "references": [
    {
      "kind": "teamfile",
      "path": "/home/user/myproject/.klim.yaml",
      "required": true,
      "version_constraint": ">=1.28"
    },
    {
      "kind": "pack",
      "name": "k8s-essentials",
      "display_name": "K8s Essentials"
    }
  ],
  "available_via": [
    {"source": "winget", "id": "Kubernetes.kubectl"},
    {"source": "brew",   "id": "kubernetes-cli"}
  ],
  "related_tools": ["helm", "k9s", "istioctl"],
  "warnings": []
}

If .klim.yaml files (in or above CWD, or registered via the project registry) fail to parse, the parse error is surfaced in warnings rather than silently dropped.

TUI

The tool detail view (press Enter on any tool) includes a “Referenced By” section showing the same project and pack references.

See Also

• klim check — Validate project requirements
• Team Manifests guide