fix: avoid implicit clang target on native builds

Merge origin/master into master
feat: complete structured CLI output
2026-10-23 14:29:17 +00:00 · 2026-10-21 21:50:42 +08:00 · 2026-10-21 20:50:46 +08:00 · 2026-10-21 18:55:23 +08:00 · 2026-09-13 15:02:16 +08:00 · 2026-09-13 14:50:40 +08:00
63 changed files with 2632 additions and 1319 deletions
--- a/.github/workflows/release.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/release.yml
@@ -1191,6 +1191,7 @@ jobs:
      - name: Update Formula/dcr.rb
        run: |
          VERSION="${{ needs.setup.outputs.version }}"
+
          cat > Formula/dcr.rb <<FORMULA
          class Dcr < Formula
            desc "Cargo-like utility to manage C/C++ projects"
@@ -1199,37 +1200,36 @@ jobs:

            on_macos do
              on_intel do
-                url "https://github.com/dexoron/dcr/releases/download/v#{version}/dcr-x86_64-apple-darwin-#{version}"
+                url "https://github.com/dexoron/dcr/releases/download/v${VERSION}/dcr-x86_64-apple-darwin-${VERSION}"
                sha256 "${{ steps.sha.outputs.macos_x86 }}"
              end
+
              on_arm do
-                url "https://github.com/dexoron/dcr/releases/download/v#{version}/dcr-aarch64-apple-darwin-#{version}"
+                url "https://github.com/dexoron/dcr/releases/download/v${VERSION}/dcr-aarch64-apple-darwin-${VERSION}"
                sha256 "${{ steps.sha.outputs.macos_arm }}"
              end
            end

            on_linux do
              on_intel do
-                url "https://github.com/dexoron/dcr/releases/download/v#{version}/dcr-x86_64-unknown-linux-gnu-#{version}"
+                url "https://github.com/dexoron/dcr/releases/download/v${VERSION}/dcr-x86_64-unknown-linux-gnu-${VERSION}"
                sha256 "${{ steps.sha.outputs.linux_x86 }}"
              end
+
              on_arm do
-                url "https://github.com/dexoron/dcr/releases/download/v#{version}/dcr-aarch64-unknown-linux-gnu-#{version}"
+                url "https://github.com/dexoron/dcr/releases/download/v${VERSION}/dcr-aarch64-unknown-linux-gnu-${VERSION}"
                sha256 "${{ steps.sha.outputs.linux_arm }}"
              end
            end

-            def install
-              bin.install Dir["dcr*"].first => "dcr"
-            end
-
            resource "man-pages" do
-              url "https://github.com/dexoron/dcr/releases/download/v#{version}/dcr-man-pages-#{version}.tar.gz"
+              url "https://github.com/dexoron/dcr/releases/download/v${VERSION}/dcr-man-pages-${VERSION}.tar.gz"
              sha256 "${{ steps.sha.outputs.man_pages }}"
            end

            def install
              bin.install Dir["dcr*"].first => "dcr"
+
              resource("man-pages").stage do
                man1.install Dir["usr/share/man/man1/*.1"]
              end
@@ -1326,4 +1326,4 @@ jobs:

          aws s3 sync dist/ "s3://${{ secrets.R2_BUCKET_NAME }}/${TAG}/" \
            --endpoint-url https://${{ secrets.R2_ACCOUNT_ID }}.r2.cloudflarestorage.com \
-            --region auto
+            --region auto
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -1,5 +1,67 @@
 # Changelog

+## [v0.9.5] - 2026-10-21 "Структурированный вывод CLI / Structured CLI Output"
+
+### RU
+
+**Добавлено:**
+
+- Человекочитаемый, plain- и JSON-режимы вывода в стиле Cargo с общими хелперами вывода.
+- Явная обработка `--color auto|always|never`, `NO_COLOR`, `--quiet` и `--verbose`.
+- Структурированные события жизненного цикла сборки и JSON-диагностика компилятора.
+- Сценарии CLI output sandbox для help, жизненного цикла, диагностики, ошибок и broken pipe.
+
+**Исправлено:**
+
+- Единообразная маршрутизация stdout/stderr и обработка цветов во всех основных командах.
+- Глобальный парсер опций теперь останавливается на subcommand и сохраняет аргументы после `--`.
+- Перенаправленный вывод подпроцессов теперь захватывается конкурентно в output lab.
+
+### EN
+
+**Added:**
+
+- Cargo-like human, plain, and JSON output modes with shared output helpers.
+- Explicit `--color auto|always|never`, `NO_COLOR`, `--quiet`, and `--verbose` handling.
+- Structured build lifecycle events and JSON compiler diagnostics.
+- CLI output sandbox scenarios for help, lifecycle, diagnostics, errors, and broken pipes.
+
+**Fixed:**
+
+- Consistent stdout/stderr routing and color handling across the main commands.
+- Global option parsing now stops at the subcommand and preserves arguments after `--`.
+- Redirected subprocess output is captured concurrently in the output lab.
+
+## [v0.9.1] - 2026-09-13 "Системные pkg-config-зависимости / System pkg-config Dependencies"
+
+### RU
+
+**Добавлено:**
+
+- **Зависимости через `pkg-config`** — `fmt = { pkg-config = "fmt" }` или массив имён пакетов (`pkg-config = ["openssl", "libcrypto"]`) подключает системные библиотеки через `.pc`-метаданные.
+- **Поддержка префиксов в `dcr add`** — команды `dcr add fmt pkg-config:fmt` и `dcr add openssl pkg:openssl,libcrypto` добавляют зависимости от системных пакетов в `dcr.toml`.
+- **Полный набор флагов** — DCR собирает и пробрасывает compiler/linker flags (`-I`, `-L`, `-l`, `-pthread` и другие), включая транзитивные зависимости и интеграцию с `dcr gen` / `dcr test`.
+- **Фиксация в `dcr.lock`** — записывается источник `pkg-config+...` и обнаруженная версия пакета.
+- **Отображение в `dcr tree`** — `pkg-config` зависимости наглядно помечаются в дереве зависимостей.
+
+**Исправлено:**
+
+- **Ошибка создания проекта в папках со спецсимволами** — `dcr new` больше не завершается ошибкой `Failed to create dcr.toml`, если родительская директория содержит пробелы или не-ASCII символы.
+
+### EN
+
+**Added:**
+
+- **`pkg-config` dependencies** — `fmt = { pkg-config = "fmt" }` or an array of package names (`pkg-config = ["openssl", "libcrypto"]`) connects system libraries through their `.pc` metadata.
+- **Prefix support in `dcr add`** — `dcr add fmt pkg-config:fmt` and `dcr add openssl pkg:openssl,libcrypto` add system package dependencies to `dcr.toml`.
+- **Complete flag propagation** — compiler/linker flags (`-I`, `-L`, `-l`, `-pthread`, and others) are preserved and passed to builds, `dcr test`, and IDE integrations via `dcr gen`.
+- **Lockfile entries** — `dcr.lock` records the `pkg-config+...` source and detected package version.
+- **`dcr tree` representation** — `pkg-config` dependencies are clearly labeled in the dependency tree.
+
+**Fixed:**
+
+- **Project creation failure in special character directories** — `dcr new` no longer fails with `Failed to create dcr.toml` when invoked inside parent folders with spaces or non-ASCII characters.
+
 ## [v0.9.0] - 2026-08-31 "Полные Path/Git-зависимости и готовые библиотеки / Complete Path/Git Dependencies & Prebuilt Libraries"

 ### RU
--- a/Cargo.lock
+++ b/Cargo.lock
@@ -2,6 +2,15 @@
 # It is not intended for manual editing.
 version = 4

+[[package]]
+name = "aho-corasick"
+version = "1.1.5"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "c982642fa9e8606056828ee9a8505737230110bb1099153c79efe865c59d12ba"
+dependencies = [
+ "memchr",
+]
+
 [[package]]
 name = "android_system_properties"
 version = "0.1.5"
@@ -11,6 +20,56 @@ dependencies = [
 "libc",
 ]

+[[package]]
+name = "anstream"
+version = "1.0.0"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "824a212faf96e9acacdbd09febd34438f8f711fb84e09a8916013cd7815ca28d"
+dependencies = [
+ "anstyle",
+ "anstyle-parse",
+ "anstyle-query",
+ "anstyle-wincon",
+ "colorchoice",
+ "is_terminal_polyfill",
+ "utf8parse",
+]
+
+[[package]]
+name = "anstyle"
+version = "1.0.14"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "940b3a0ca603d1eade50a4846a2afffd5ef57a9feac2c0e2ec2e14f9ead76000"
+
+[[package]]
+name = "anstyle-parse"
+version = "1.0.0"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "52ce7f38b242319f7cabaa6813055467063ecdc9d355bbb4ce0c68908cd8130e"
+dependencies = [
+ "utf8parse",
+]
+
+[[package]]
+name = "anstyle-query"
+version = "1.1.5"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "40c48f72fd53cd289104fc64099abca73db4166ad86ea0b4341abe65af83dadc"
+dependencies = [
+ "windows-sys 0.61.2",
+]
+
+[[package]]
+name = "anstyle-wincon"
+version = "3.0.11"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "291e6a250ff86cd4a820112fb8898808a366d8f9f58ce16d1f538353ad55747d"
+dependencies = [
+ "anstyle",
+ "once_cell_polyfill",
+ "windows-sys 0.61.2",
+]
+
 [[package]]
 name = "anyhow"
 version = "1.0.102"
@@ -106,6 +165,12 @@ dependencies = [
 "windows-link",
 ]

+[[package]]
+name = "colorchoice"
+version = "1.0.5"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "1d07550c9036bf2ae0c684c4297d503f838287c83c53686d05370d0e139ae570"
+
 [[package]]
 name = "core-foundation"
 version = "0.9.4"
@@ -154,11 +219,14 @@ dependencies = [

 [[package]]
 name = "dcr"
-version = "0.9.0"
+version = "0.9.5"
 dependencies = [
 "ctrlc",
+ "env_logger",
 "fatfs",
 "glob",
+ "log",
+ "owo-colors",
 "self-replace",
 "serde",
 "serde_json",
@@ -168,6 +236,37 @@ dependencies = [
 "ureq",
 ]

+[[package]]
+name = "defmt"
+version = "1.1.1"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "e2953bfe4f93bbd20cc71198842756f77d161884c99ebbabc41d80231ded88d1"
+dependencies = [
+ "bitflags 1.3.2",
+ "defmt-macros",
+]
+
+[[package]]
+name = "defmt-macros"
+version = "1.1.1"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "bad9c72e7ca2137e0dc3813245a0d282fd6daad32fd800af018306a9169b5fe8"
+dependencies = [
+ "defmt-parser",
+ "proc-macro2",
+ "quote",
+ "syn 2.0.117",
+]
+
+[[package]]
+name = "defmt-parser"
+version = "1.0.0"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "10d60334b3b2e7c9d91ef8150abfb6fa4c1c39ebbcf4a81c2e346aad939fee3e"
+dependencies = [
+ "thiserror",
+]
+
 [[package]]
 name = "digest"
 version = "0.10.7"
@@ -198,7 +297,30 @@ checksum = "1ac70aa55017e108007fbaf5aa0f54b021c98f92ff8af59d42eda9da96e3dd4f"
 dependencies = [
 "proc-macro2",
 "quote",
- "syn",
+ "syn 2.0.117",
+]
+
+[[package]]
+name = "env_filter"
+version = "2.0.0"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "900d271a03799a1ee8d1ca9b19893b48ca674a9284fefcfb85f05e74ed314217"
+dependencies = [
+ "log",
+ "regex",
+]
+
+[[package]]
+name = "env_logger"
+version = "0.11.11"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "de671bd27a75a797dc9ae289ba1e77276e75e2026408aab65185384e2d5cd3f6"
+dependencies = [
+ "anstream",
+ "anstyle",
+ "env_filter",
+ "jiff",
+ "log",
 ]

 [[package]]
@@ -330,6 +452,12 @@ version = "0.5.0"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
 checksum = "2304e00983f87ffb38b55b444b5e3b60a884b5d30c0fca7d82fe33449bbe55ea"

+[[package]]
+name = "hermit-abi"
+version = "0.5.3"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "e17592d60ebacc7d5e169f4663c5f84f9161cc90328abcfe8456f41e4dfcb284"
+
 [[package]]
 name = "iana-time-zone"
 version = "0.1.65"
@@ -475,12 +603,71 @@ dependencies = [
 "serde_core",
 ]

+[[package]]
+name = "is-terminal"
+version = "0.4.17"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "3640c1c38b8e4e43584d8df18be5fc6b0aa314ce6ebf51b53313d4306cca8e46"
+dependencies = [
+ "hermit-abi",
+ "libc",
+ "windows-sys 0.52.0",
+]
+
+[[package]]
+name = "is_ci"
+version = "1.2.0"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "7655c9839580ee829dfacba1d1278c2b7883e50a277ff7541299489d6bdfdc45"
+
+[[package]]
+name = "is_terminal_polyfill"
+version = "1.70.2"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "a6cb138bb79a146c1bd460005623e142ef0181e3d0219cb493e02f7d08a35695"
+
 [[package]]
 name = "itoa"
 version = "1.0.18"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
 checksum = "8f42a60cbdf9a97f5d2305f08a87dc4e09308d1276d28c869c684d7777685682"

+[[package]]
+name = "jiff"
+version = "0.2.35"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "668b7183bd07af9a4885f5c35b0cc5c83c4607a913c16b7e17291832910d2dcc"
+dependencies = [
+ "defmt",
+ "jiff-core",
+ "jiff-static",
+ "log",
+ "portable-atomic",
+ "portable-atomic-util",
+ "serde_core",
+]
+
+[[package]]
+name = "jiff-core"
+version = "0.1.0"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "7feca88439efe53da3754500c1851dedf3cb36c524dd5cf8225cc0794de95d09"
+dependencies = [
+ "defmt",
+]
+
+[[package]]
+name = "jiff-static"
+version = "0.2.35"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "3a69dcb3a21cfb32ce1cd056169337ca284af0766dd766e7878819b251a49204"
+dependencies = [
+ "jiff-core",
+ "proc-macro2",
+ "quote",
+ "syn 2.0.117",
+]
+
 [[package]]
 name = "js-sys"
 version = "0.3.103"
@@ -518,9 +705,9 @@ checksum = "92daf443525c4cce67b150400bc2316076100ce0b3686209eb8cf3c31612e6f0"

 [[package]]
 name = "log"
-version = "0.4.30"
+version = "0.4.34"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "616ec5685824bcc94416c6d4a7a446eea774a31efd7062c8480ba6fd06d7a6e5"
+checksum = "f9f8bd3e56ce4dfc153cf470fffbfa98c7620958b312ca5c3a4b8d5181fd13c6"

 [[package]]
 name = "memchr"
@@ -570,12 +757,28 @@ version = "1.21.4"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
 checksum = "9f7c3e4beb33f85d45ae3e3a1792185706c8e16d043238c593331cc7cd313b50"

+[[package]]
+name = "once_cell_polyfill"
+version = "1.70.2"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "384b8ab6d37215f3c5301a95a4accb5d64aa607f1fcb26a11b5303878451b4fe"
+
 [[package]]
 name = "openssl-probe"
 version = "0.1.6"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
 checksum = "d05e27ee213611ffe7d6348b942e8f942b37114c00cc03cec254295a4a17852e"

+[[package]]
+name = "owo-colors"
+version = "4.4.0"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "13c45bb4a6ae1280ec0803b1ef9d3455eb50f01efbbe1447ab020f1d54fba9d8"
+dependencies = [
+ "supports-color 2.1.0",
+ "supports-color 3.0.2",
+]
+
 [[package]]
 name = "percent-encoding"
 version = "2.3.2"
@@ -588,6 +791,21 @@ version = "0.2.17"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
 checksum = "a89322df9ebe1c1578d689c92318e070967d1042b512afbe49518723f4e6d5cd"

+[[package]]
+name = "portable-atomic"
+version = "1.15.0"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "05c8b63e8d9609db387f0324918f81d68fe27748f084ef092fb35954d0539a85"
+
+[[package]]
+name = "portable-atomic-util"
+version = "0.2.8"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "10ab3eb7f3becc3a1cbc4f2c6f20267996cfc1a6467a873763411b136a122715"
+dependencies = [
+ "portable-atomic",
+]
+
 [[package]]
 name = "potential_utf"
 version = "0.1.5"
@@ -604,7 +822,7 @@ source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
 checksum = "479ca8adacdd7ce8f1fb39ce9ecccbfe93a3f1344b3d0d97f20bc0196208f62b"
 dependencies = [
 "proc-macro2",
- "syn",
+ "syn 2.0.117",
 ]

 [[package]]
@@ -631,6 +849,35 @@ version = "6.0.0"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
 checksum = "f8dcc9c7d52a811697d2151c701e0d08956f92b0e24136cf4cf27b57a6a0d9bf"

+[[package]]
+name = "regex"
+version = "1.13.1"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "f020237b6c8eed93db2e2cb53c00c60a8e1bc73da7d073199a1180401450218d"
+dependencies = [
+ "aho-corasick",
+ "memchr",
+ "regex-automata",
+ "regex-syntax",
+]
+
+[[package]]
+name = "regex-automata"
+version = "0.4.18"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "ad8553b9b26413251cbf30e620595c7a41b3887f03da04579c0e6b0d6a06b4b2"
+dependencies = [
+ "aho-corasick",
+ "memchr",
+ "regex-syntax",
+]
+
+[[package]]
+name = "regex-syntax"
+version = "0.8.11"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "d6f6ff9a378485b298a5286656da665ba74413d36db0979633275d2e708145d4"
+
 [[package]]
 name = "rustix"
 version = "1.1.4"
@@ -757,7 +1004,7 @@ checksum = "d540f220d3187173da220f885ab66608367b6574e925011a9353e4badda91d79"
 dependencies = [
 "proc-macro2",
 "quote",
- "syn",
+ "syn 2.0.117",
 ]

 [[package]]
@@ -817,6 +1064,25 @@ version = "1.2.1"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
 checksum = "6ce2be8dc25455e1f91df71bfa12ad37d7af1092ae736f3a6cd0e37bc7810596"

+[[package]]
+name = "supports-color"
+version = "2.1.0"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "d6398cde53adc3c4557306a96ce67b302968513830a77a95b2b17305d9719a89"
+dependencies = [
+ "is-terminal",
+ "is_ci",
+]
+
+[[package]]
+name = "supports-color"
+version = "3.0.2"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "c64fc7232dd8d2e4ac5ce4ef302b1d81e0b80d055b9d77c7c4f51f6aa4c867d6"
+dependencies = [
+ "is_ci",
+]
+
 [[package]]
 name = "syn"
 version = "2.0.117"
@@ -828,6 +1094,17 @@ dependencies = [
 "unicode-ident",
 ]

+[[package]]
+name = "syn"
+version = "3.0.5"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "12df2e0110f65b775f769bb17ef989067a1d931b2eb822bd4346631eeada89f9"
+dependencies = [
+ "proc-macro2",
+ "quote",
+ "unicode-ident",
+]
+
 [[package]]
 name = "synstructure"
 version = "0.13.2"
@@ -836,7 +1113,7 @@ checksum = "728a70f3dbaf5bab7f0c4b1ac8d7ae5ea60a4b5549c8a5914361c99147a709d2"
 dependencies = [
 "proc-macro2",
 "quote",
- "syn",
+ "syn 2.0.117",
 ]

 [[package]]
@@ -852,6 +1129,26 @@ dependencies = [
 "windows-sys 0.61.2",
 ]

+[[package]]
+name = "thiserror"
+version = "2.0.20"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "ec86235f5fcc2a73650310756d2ac5b138a5780bbbdfae3eeccec992c435ba4f"
+dependencies = [
+ "thiserror-impl",
+]
+
+[[package]]
+name = "thiserror-impl"
+version = "2.0.20"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "bc04cd3e1236dd4a98afca4569f2deb3f120e5422a4023be2cb683f8486292af"
+dependencies = [
+ "proc-macro2",
+ "quote",
+ "syn 3.0.5",
+]
+
 [[package]]
 name = "tinystr"
 version = "0.8.3"
@@ -976,6 +1273,12 @@ version = "1.0.4"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
 checksum = "b6c140620e7ffbb22c2dee59cafe6084a59b5ffc27a8859a5f0d494b5d52b6be"

+[[package]]
+name = "utf8parse"
+version = "0.2.2"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "06abde3611657adf66d383f00b093d7faecc7fa57071cce2578660c9f1010821"
+
 [[package]]
 name = "version_check"
 version = "0.9.5"
@@ -1032,7 +1335,7 @@ dependencies = [
 "bumpalo",
 "proc-macro2",
 "quote",
- "syn",
+ "syn 2.0.117",
 "wasm-bindgen-shared",
 ]

@@ -1100,7 +1403,7 @@ checksum = "053e2e040ab57b9dc951b72c264860db7eb3b0200ba345b4e4c3b14f67855ddf"
 dependencies = [
 "proc-macro2",
 "quote",
- "syn",
+ "syn 2.0.117",
 ]

 [[package]]
@@ -1111,7 +1414,7 @@ checksum = "3f316c4a2570ba26bbec722032c4099d8c8bc095efccdc15688708623367e358"
 dependencies = [
 "proc-macro2",
 "quote",
- "syn",
+ "syn 2.0.117",
 ]

 [[package]]
@@ -1271,7 +1574,7 @@ dependencies = [
 "heck",
 "indexmap",
 "prettyplease",
- "syn",
+ "syn 2.0.117",
 "wasm-metadata",
 "wit-bindgen-core",
 "wit-component",
@@ -1287,7 +1590,7 @@ dependencies = [
 "prettyplease",
 "proc-macro2",
 "quote",
- "syn",
+ "syn 2.0.117",
 "wit-bindgen-core",
 "wit-bindgen-rust",
 ]
@@ -1354,7 +1657,7 @@ checksum = "de844c262c8848816172cef550288e7dc6c7b7814b4ee56b3e1553f275f1858e"
 dependencies = [
 "proc-macro2",
 "quote",
- "syn",
+ "syn 2.0.117",
 "synstructure",
 ]

@@ -1375,7 +1678,7 @@ checksum = "11532158c46691caf0f2593ea8358fed6bbf68a0315e80aae9bd41fbade684a1"
 dependencies = [
 "proc-macro2",
 "quote",
- "syn",
+ "syn 2.0.117",
 "synstructure",
 ]

@@ -1415,7 +1718,7 @@ checksum = "625dc425cab0dca6dc3c3319506e6593dcb08a9f387ea3b284dbd52a92c40555"
 dependencies = [
 "proc-macro2",
 "quote",
- "syn",
+ "syn 2.0.117",
 ]

 [[package]]
--- a/Cargo.toml
+++ b/Cargo.toml
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 [package]
 name = "dcr"
-version = "0.9.0"
+version = "0.9.5"
 edition = "2024"
 build = "build.rs"
 description = "DCR is a utility for managing C/C++ projects in a Cargo-like style."
@@ -75,6 +75,11 @@ serde_json = "1"
 ctrlc = "3"
 fatfs = { version = "0.3", optional = true }

+# Logging
+log = "0.4.34"
+env_logger = "0.11.11"
+owo-colors = { version = "4", features = ["supports-colors"] }
+
 [profile.release]
 opt-level = "z"
 lto = "thin"
@@ -97,4 +102,4 @@ debug = "line-tables-only"

 [profile.dev.package."*"]
 opt-level = 1
-debug = false
+debug = false
--- a/dcrup.cmd
+++ b/dcrup.cmd
@@ -1,13 +0,0 @@
-@echo off
-setlocal
-set "SCRIPT_DIR=%~dp0"
-if exist "%SCRIPT_DIR%dcrup.ps1" (
-  powershell -NoProfile -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File "%SCRIPT_DIR%dcrup.ps1" %*
-  exit /b %ERRORLEVEL%
-)
-if exist "%USERPROFILE%\.dcr\bin\dcrup.ps1" (
-  powershell -NoProfile -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File "%USERPROFILE%\.dcr\bin\dcrup.ps1" %*
-  exit /b %ERRORLEVEL%
-)
-echo [error] dcrup.ps1 not found near dcrup.cmd >&2
-exit /b 1
--- a/dcrup.ps1
+++ b/dcrup.ps1
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-#Requires -Version 5.1
+#Requires -Version 5.1
 $ErrorActionPreference = 'Stop'

 $DcrupHome = if ($env:DCRUP_HOME) { $env:DCRUP_HOME } else { Join-Path $env:USERPROFILE '.dcr' }
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ $DcrupBin  = if ($env:DCRUP_BIN)  { $env:DCRUP_BIN  } else { Join-Path $DcrupHom
 $DcrupTc   = Join-Path $DcrupHome 'toolchains'
 $DcrupMeta = Join-Path $DcrupHome 'meta'
 $RepoUrl   = if ($env:DCRUP_REPO) { $env:DCRUP_REPO } else { 'https://github.com/dexoron/dcr' }
+$InstallUrl = if ($env:DCRUP_INSTALL_URL) { $env:DCRUP_INSTALL_URL } else { 'https://ps1.dcr-tool.ru' }
 $DcrupMirror = if ($env:DCRUP_MIRROR) { $env:DCRUP_MIRROR } else { 'auto' }
 $ApiLatest = 'https://api.github.com/repos/dexoron/dcr/releases/latest'
 $ApiAll    = 'https://api.github.com/repos/dexoron/dcr/releases'
@@ -133,6 +134,18 @@ function Link-Default([string]$id) {
    Ok "default → $id ($dst)"
 }

+function Resolve-InstalledId([string]$spec) {
+    Parse-Spec $spec
+    if ($script:SpecChannel -eq 'night' -or $script:SpecFloating) {
+        $item = Get-ChildItem $DcrupTc -Directory -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue |
+            Where-Object { $_.Name -like "$($script:SpecChannel)-*" } |
+            Sort-Object Name | Select-Object -Last 1
+        if ($item) { return $item.Name }
+        return $null
+    }
+    return (Toolchain-Id)
+}
+
 function Set-Mirror([string]$value) {
    if ($value -notin @('auto', 'cf', 'gh', 'sf', 'ya')) {
        Die "invalid --mirror: $value (use auto|cf|gh|sf|ya)"
@@ -379,7 +392,19 @@ function Cmd-Show {

 function Cmd-SelfInstall {
    Ensure-Dirs
-    Copy-Item $PSCommandPath (Join-Path $DcrupBin 'dcrup.ps1') -Force
+    if ([string]::IsNullOrWhiteSpace($PSCommandPath) -or -not (Test-Path $PSCommandPath)) {
+        # With `irm URL | iex`, PowerShell evaluates text and there is no
+        # source path. Download the canonical installer for self-install.
+        $tmp = Join-Path $env:TEMP ("dcrup-" + [guid]::NewGuid().ToString('N') + '.ps1')
+        try {
+            Invoke-WebRequest -Uri $InstallUrl -OutFile $tmp -UseBasicParsing -UserAgent 'dcrup'
+            Copy-Item $tmp (Join-Path $DcrupBin 'dcrup.ps1') -Force
+        } finally {
+            Remove-Item $tmp -Force -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
+        }
+    } else {
+        Copy-Item $PSCommandPath (Join-Path $DcrupBin 'dcrup.ps1') -Force
+    }
    Install-CmdShim
    Ensure-UserPath
    Ok "dcrup installed to $DcrupBin (use: dcrup …)"
@@ -417,7 +442,7 @@ switch ($cmd) {
        if ($a -like 'night-*') { Cmd-Install @('night', '--build', '--force') }
        elseif ($a -like 'stable-*') { Cmd-Install @('stable', '--force') }
        elseif ($a -like 'dev-*') { Cmd-Install @('dev', '--force') }
-        else { Ok "pinned $a — install a newer version explicitly" }
+        else { Ok "pinned $a - install a newer version explicitly" }
    }
    'uninstall' {
        if ($rest -contains '--all') {
@@ -426,7 +451,18 @@ switch ($cmd) {
            Remove-Item (Active-Path) -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
            Ok 'removed all'
        } else {
-            Die 'use: dcrup uninstall --all  (or install a replacement first)'
+            if ($rest.Count -ne 1) { Die 'usage: dcrup uninstall <spec>|--all' }
+            $id = Resolve-InstalledId $rest[0]
+            if (-not $id) { Die "not installed: $($rest[0])" }
+            $dir = Join-Path $DcrupTc $id
+            if (-not (Test-Path $dir)) { Die "not installed: $($rest[0])" }
+            Remove-Item -Recurse -Force $dir
+            if ((Read-Active) -eq $id) {
+                Remove-Item (Join-Path $DcrupBin 'dcr.exe') -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
+                Remove-Item (Active-Path) -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
+                Warn 'removed active toolchain; install or select another default'
+            }
+            Ok "removed $id"
        }
    }
    'self-install' { Cmd-SelfInstall }
--- a/dcrup.sh
+++ b/dcrup.sh
--- a/docs/changelog.mdx
+++ b/docs/changelog.mdx
@@ -4,6 +4,20 @@ sidebar_label: Changelog

 # Changelog

+## 0.9.5 (2026-10-21)
+
+- **Structured CLI output** — shared helpers now provide Cargo-like human, plain, and JSON output modes.
+- **Color and diagnostics policy** — `--color`, `NO_COLOR`, `--quiet`, and `--verbose` are applied consistently across commands.
+- **Build reporting** — lifecycle events and compiler diagnostics are available as structured JSON events.
+- **Output lab** — sandbox scenarios cover help, lifecycle commands, compiler warnings/errors, stream capture, and broken pipes.
+
+## 0.9.1 (2026-09-13)
+
+- **`pkg-config` dependencies** — declare `fmt = { pkg-config = "fmt" }` or multiple package names in `[dependencies]`; DCR applies `.pc` compiler/linker flags and records the resolved package in `dcr.lock`.
+- **`dcr add` support for `pkg-config`** — easily add system package dependencies with `dcr add fmt pkg-config:fmt` or `dcr add openssl pkg:openssl,libcrypto`.
+- **`dcr tree` & IDE integration** — `pkg-config` packages are marked in `dcr tree` and resolved into compiler flags in `dcr gen` (`compile_commands.json`).
+- **Fixed `dcr new` in non-ASCII / spaced paths** — initializing projects from folders with non-ASCII characters or spaces no longer fails validation.
+
 ## 0.9.0 (2026-08-31) 

 - **Download mirrors in `dcrup`** — `--mirror auto|cf|gh|sf|ya` and `DCRUP_MIRROR`.
--- a/docs/commands/dependency-commands.mdx
+++ b/docs/commands/dependency-commands.mdx
@@ -15,6 +15,8 @@ dcr add mylib path:./lib       # explicit path prefix
 dcr add mylib git:https://github.com/user/repo  # explicit git prefix
 dcr add mylib github:user/repo # GitHub shorthand
 dcr add mylib gitlab:user/repo # GitLab shorthand
+dcr add fmt pkg-config:fmt     # system package via pkg-config
+dcr add openssl pkg:openssl,libcrypto # multiple pkg-config packages
 ```

 Source prefixes:
@@ -22,6 +24,7 @@ Source prefixes:
 - `git:` — generic git URL
 - `github:` — expands to `https://github.com/<user>/<repo>`
 - `gitlab:` — expands to `https://gitlab.com/<user>/<repo>`
+- `pkg-config:` / `pkg:` — one or more packages resolved by `pkg-config`
 - `http://` / `https://` / `git@` — full URL

 Flags:
@@ -31,6 +34,11 @@ Flags:

 If source is omitted — DCR searches connected registries. A bare relative or absolute path is accepted as a path dependency.

+For `pkg-config` dependencies, the referenced packages must already be installed
+and provide `.pc` files. DCR invokes `pkg-config` during the build (using
+`PATH` and `PKG_CONFIG_PATH`) and forwards the returned compiler and linker
+flags; it does not download or build these packages.
+
 ## `dcr tree`

 Displays the project dependency tree.
--- a/docs/getting-started/installation.mdx
+++ b/docs/getting-started/installation.mdx
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ Install and switch DCR versions (stable / dev / night, pin `0.8.2`, optional bui
 ### Linux / macOS / BSD / Windows (bash)

 ```sh
-curl -fsSL https://sh.dcr-tool.ru | sh -s -- self-install
+curl --proto '=https' --tlsv1.2 -sSf https://sh.dcr-tool.ru | sh -s -- self-install
 export PATH="$HOME/.dcr/bin:$PATH"
 dcrup install stable
 ```
@@ -19,28 +19,19 @@ dcrup install stable
 Non-interactive install of DCR in one shot:

 ```sh
-curl -fsSL https://sh.dcr-tool.ru | sh -s -- install stable
+curl --proto '=https' --tlsv1.2 -sSf https://sh.dcr-tool.ru | sh -s -- install stable
 export PATH="$HOME/.dcr/bin:$PATH"
 ```

 ### Windows (PowerShell)

 ```powershell
-irm https://ps1.dcr-tool.ru | iex
-# or download then run:
-# irm https://ps1.dcr-tool.ru -OutFile dcrup.ps1
-# powershell -File .\dcrup.ps1 self-install
+& ([scriptblock]::Create((irm https://ps1.dcr-tool.ru))) self-install
 # $env:Path += ";$env:USERPROFILE\.dcr\bin"
 dcrup install stable
 ```

-Optional cmd bootstrap (if you prefer `curl` of the cmd shim):
-
-```bat
-curl -fsSL -o dcrup.cmd https://cmd.dcr-tool.ru
-```
-
-After `self-install`, the command is **`dcrup`** (no `.sh` / `.ps1`): shims live in `~/.dcr/bin` (Unix) or `%USERPROFILE%\.dcr\bin` (Windows `dcrup.cmd`).
+After `self-install`, the command is **`dcrup`** (no `.sh` / `.ps1`) and is installed in `~/.dcr/bin` (Unix) or `%USERPROFILE%\.dcr\bin` (Windows).

 ### Common dcrup commands

@@ -58,6 +49,8 @@ dcrup update
 dcrup list
 dcrup show
 dcrup which
+dcrup uninstall 0.8.2    # remove one installed version
+dcrup uninstall --all    # remove all installed versions
 ```

 Layout: `~/.dcr/toolchains/<id>/dcr` and `~/.dcr/bin/dcr` → active version.
--- a/docs/reference/cli-output.mdx
+++ b/docs/reference/cli-output.mdx
@@ -0,0 +1,34 @@
+---
+sidebar_label: CLI output
+---
+
+# CLI output (experimental)
+
+The structured output implementation is being developed incrementally.
+Currently these global options apply to diagnostics emitted through the logger:
+
+```sh
+dcr --output plain build
+dcr --output json build
+dcr --color never build
+dcr --quiet build
+dcr --verbose build
+```
+
+`--output` accepts `human` (default), `plain`, or `json`.
+Diagnostics are written to stderr. JSON diagnostics are newline-delimited objects
+with `schema_version: 1`, `event`, and `message` fields. Command statuses use the
+shared output helpers, build reporting emits structured lifecycle events, and
+compiler output is represented as JSON events with its original stream and text.
+The protocol is still experimental: some raw command data and subprocess stdout
+remain unstructured.
+
+`--color` accepts `auto`, `always`, or `never`. Automatic coloring requires a
+terminal and respects `NO_COLOR`. Plain and JSON diagnostics never add colors.
+Quiet mode preserves warnings, errors, and compiler diagnostics; verbose mode
+enables debug and trace logging. Arguments following `--` are passed through
+unchanged.
+
+Remaining work includes migrating the remaining raw command data and subprocess
+stdout, improving progress rendering and contextual errors, and expanding
+integration coverage for stdout/stderr and closed pipes.
--- a/docs/reference/dcr-toml.mdx
+++ b/docs/reference/dcr-toml.mdx
@@ -111,7 +111,11 @@ Never fails the command — warnings only. Pre-release suffixes (`1.0.0-dev`) ar
 | `qt` | `false` | Enable automatic Qt meta-object handling (MOC, UIC, RCC) |

 Settings from raw config (not in typed struct):
- `pkg_config` — list of pkg-config packages
+- `pkg_config` — list of packages queried for build-wide compiler/linker flags
+
+Dependencies can also declare a system package directly, for example
+`fmt = { pkg-config = "fmt" }`. This records the package in `dcr.lock` and applies
+the flags returned by `pkg-config --cflags` and `pkg-config --libs`.
 - `ldscript` — linker script path
 - `build.steps` / `build.post_steps` — codegen steps

--- a/docs/reference/dependencies.mdx
+++ b/docs/reference/dependencies.mdx
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ sidebar_label: Dependencies

 ## Formats

-The `[dependencies]` section supports three formats:
+The `[dependencies]` section supports registry, path, Git, and `pkg-config` dependencies:

 ### String (registry)

@@ -44,6 +44,23 @@ names (`libs`):
 dcr-math = { path = "../deps/dcr-math", include = ["include"], lib = ["lib"], libs = ["dcr-math"] }
 ```

+### Table (`pkg-config`)
+
+Use an installed `.pc` package when the library is provided by the operating system
+or another system package manager. DCR invokes `pkg-config --cflags` and
+`pkg-config --libs`, preserving include, library, linker, and other flags:
+
+```toml
+[dependencies]
+fmt = { pkg-config = "fmt" }
+openssl = { pkg-config = ["openssl", "libcrypto"] }
+```
+
+The `pkg-config` executable must be available in `PATH`. The named `.pc` files must
+be available through pkg-config's standard search paths or via `PKG_CONFIG_PATH`.
+These dependencies are not downloaded or built by DCR; they are recorded in
+`dcr.lock` with a `pkg-config+...` source.
+
 ## Registry

 DCR uses a package registry for dependency lookup by name.
--- a/man/man1/dcr-add.1
+++ b/man/man1/dcr-add.1
@@ -25,6 +25,9 @@ Generic git repository.
 .B path:./path/to/lib
 Local path dependency.
 .TP
+.B pkg-config:name
+System pkg-config dependency (also accepts \fBpkg:\fR or comma-separated packages).
+.TP
 .B <version>
 Version from registry.
 .SH OPTIONS
--- a/man/man1/dcr.1
+++ b/man/man1/dcr.1
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-.TH DCR 1 "2026-06-02" "dcr 0.7.0" "DCR Manual"
+.TH DCR 1 "2026-10-21" "dcr 0.9.5" "DCR Manual"
 .SH NAME
 dcr \- Cargo\-like build tool and package manager for C/C++ projects
 .SH SYNOPSIS
@@ -120,6 +120,9 @@ Generic git repository.
 .B path:./path/to/lib
 Local path dependency.
 .TP
+.B pkg-config:name
+System pkg-config dependency (also accepts \fBpkg:name1,name2\fR).
+.TP
 .B \fI<version>\fR
 Version from registry (e.g. \fB1.2.3\fR).
 .SH GEN SUBCOMMANDS
--- a/src/cli/add.rs
+++ b/src/cli/add.rs
@@ -15,17 +15,15 @@
 // You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
 // along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.

-use crate::core::build_config::Config;
-use crate::core::deps::register;
+use crate::prelude::*;
+
+use crate::core::{build_config::Config, deps::register};
 use crate::utils::fs::find_project_root;
-use crate::utils::log::error;
-use crate::utils::text::{BOLD_CYAN, BOLD_GREEN, colored, printc};
-use toml::Value;
-use toml::map::Map;
+use toml::{Value, map::Map};

 /// Parsed arguments for the `dcr add` command.
 ///
-/// Exactly one of `path`, `git`, or `version_from_registry` is expected to be set,
+/// Exactly one of `path`, `git`, `pkg_config`, or `version_from_registry` is expected to be set,
 /// depending on how the dependency source was specified.
 pub struct AddArgs {
    /// Dependency name as it will appear under `[dependencies]` in `dcr.toml`.
@@ -42,6 +40,8 @@ pub struct AddArgs {
    pub rev: Option<String>,
    /// Version string resolved from the package registry when no explicit source is given.
    pub version_from_registry: Option<String>,
+    /// Package names resolved through pkg-config.
+    pub pkg_config: Option<Vec<String>>,
 }

 /// Adds a dependency to the current project's `dcr.toml`.
@@ -57,26 +57,22 @@ pub struct AddArgs {
 /// Process exit code: `0` on success, non-zero on usage or I/O errors.
 pub fn add(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
    if args.first().is_some_and(|a| a == "--help") {
-        printc("USAGE:", BOLD_GREEN);
-        printc(
-            "    dcr add <name> <source> [--branch <b>] [--tag <t>] [--rev <r>]",
-            BOLD_CYAN,
-        );
-        println!();
-        printc("DESCRIPTION:", BOLD_GREEN);
-        println!("    Adds a dependency to the project.");
-        println!();
-        printc("SOURCES:", BOLD_GREEN);
-        println!("    github:user/repo          GitHub repository");
-        println!("    gitlab:user/repo          GitLab repository");
-        println!("    git:host.com/user/repo    Generic git repository");
-        println!("    path:./path/to/lib        Local path dependency");
-        println!("    <version>                 Version from registry");
-        println!();
-        printc("OPTIONS:", BOLD_GREEN);
-        println!("    --branch <b>    Use a specific branch");
-        println!("    --tag <t>       Use a specific tag");
-        println!("    --rev <r>       Use a specific commit hash");
+        let mut help = crate::utils::help::HelpBuilder::new("dcr add");
+        help.section("USAGE")
+            .example("dcr add <name> <source> [--branch <b>] [--tag <t>] [--rev <r>]");
+        help.description("Adds a dependency to the project.");
+        help.section("SOURCES")
+            .item("github:user/repo", "GitHub repository")
+            .item("gitlab:user/repo", "GitLab repository")
+            .item("git:host.com/user/repo", "Generic git repository")
+            .item("path:./path/to/lib", "Local path dependency")
+            .item("pkg-config:fmt", "System pkg-config dependency")
+            .item("<version>", "Version from registry");
+        help.section("OPTIONS")
+            .item("--branch <b>", "Use a specific branch")
+            .item("--tag <t>", "Use a specific tag")
+            .item("--rev <r>", "Use a specific commit hash");
+        help.render();
        return 0;
    }

@@ -88,7 +84,7 @@ pub fn add(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
    let start_dir = match std::env::current_dir() {
        Ok(dir) => dir,
        Err(_) => {
-            error("Failed to determine current directory");
+            error!("Failed to determine current directory");
            return 1;
        }
    };
@@ -96,11 +92,11 @@ pub fn add(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
    let root = match find_project_root(&start_dir) {
        Ok(Some(dir)) => dir,
        Ok(None) => {
-            error("dcr.toml file not found");
+            error!("dcr.toml file not found");
            return 1;
        }
        Err(_) => {
-            error("Failed to find project root");
+            error!("Failed to find project root");
            return 1;
        }
    };
@@ -108,7 +104,7 @@ pub fn add(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
    let mut config = match Config::open(&root.join("dcr.toml").to_string_lossy()) {
        Ok(cfg) => cfg,
        Err(err) => {
-            error(&err.to_string());
+            error!("{err}");
            return 1;
        }
    };
@@ -133,6 +129,17 @@ pub fn add(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
            }
            Value::Table(table)
        }
+    } else if let Some(packages) = add_args.pkg_config {
+        let mut table = Map::new();
+        if packages.len() == 1 {
+            table.insert("pkg-config".to_string(), Value::String(packages[0].clone()));
+        } else {
+            table.insert(
+                "pkg-config".to_string(),
+                Value::Array(packages.into_iter().map(Value::String).collect()),
+            );
+        }
+        Value::Table(table)
    } else if let Some(path) = add_args.path {
        let mut table = Map::new();
        table.insert("path".to_string(), Value::String(path));
@@ -140,21 +147,17 @@ pub fn add(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
    } else if let Some(version) = add_args.version_from_registry {
        Value::String(version)
    } else {
-        error("Dependency source (path or git) must be provided");
+        error!("Dependency source (path, git, or pkg-config) must be provided");
        return 1;
    };

    let key = format!("dependencies.{}", add_args.name);
    if let Err(err) = config.edit(&key, dep_value) {
-        error(&format!("Failed to update dcr.toml: {}", err));
+        error!("Failed to update dcr.toml: {err}");
        return 1;
    }

-    println!(
-        "    {} dependency `{}` to dcr.toml",
-        colored("Added", BOLD_GREEN),
-        add_args.name
-    );
+    crate::utils::output::success(format!("Added dependency `{}` to dcr.toml", add_args.name));
    0
 }

@@ -165,12 +168,13 @@ pub fn add(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
 /// `path:`, `github:`, `gitlab:`, or `git:` prefixes, or a full git URL.
 fn parse_add_args(args: &[String]) -> Result<AddArgs, i32> {
    if args.is_empty() {
-        error("Usage: dcr add <name> <source> [--branch <branch> | --tag <tag> | --rev <rev>]");
-        error("Sources:");
-        error("  github:user/repo          -> github.com/user/repo");
-        error("  gitlab:user/repo          -> gitlab.com/user/repo");
-        error("  git:host.com/user/repo    -> host.com/user/repo");
-        error("  path:./path/to/lib        -> local path");
+        error!("Usage: dcr add <name> <source> [--branch <branch> | --tag <tag> | --rev <rev>]");
+        error!("Sources:");
+        error!("  github:user/repo          -> github.com/user/repo");
+        error!("  gitlab:user/repo          -> gitlab.com/user/repo");
+        error!("  git:host.com/user/repo    -> host.com/user/repo");
+        error!("  path:./path/to/lib        -> local path");
+        error!("  pkg-config:fmt            -> system pkg-config package");
        return Err(1);
    }

@@ -183,7 +187,7 @@ fn parse_add_args(args: &[String]) -> Result<AddArgs, i32> {
    let mut iter = args.iter();
    if let Some(n) = iter.next() {
        if n.starts_with("--") {
-            error("First argument must be the dependency name");
+            error!("First argument must be the dependency name");
            return Err(1);
        }
        name = n.clone();
@@ -191,7 +195,7 @@ fn parse_add_args(args: &[String]) -> Result<AddArgs, i32> {

    if let Some(s) = iter.next() {
        if s.starts_with("--") {
-            error("Second argument must be the dependency source");
+            error!("Second argument must be the dependency source");
            return Err(1);
        }
        source_spec = s.clone();
@@ -210,7 +214,7 @@ fn parse_add_args(args: &[String]) -> Result<AddArgs, i32> {
                        )
                    })
                    .map_err(|(msg, code)| {
-                        error(&msg);
+                        error!("{msg}");
                        code
                    })?;
                return Ok(AddArgs {
@@ -221,10 +225,11 @@ fn parse_add_args(args: &[String]) -> Result<AddArgs, i32> {
                    tag: None,
                    rev: None,
                    version_from_registry: Some(version.to_string()),
+                    pkg_config: None,
                });
            }
            Err(e) => {
-                error(&format!("Cannot add `{}` without source: {}", name, e));
+                error!("Cannot add `{}` without source: {}", name, e);
                return Err(1);
            }
        }
@@ -235,26 +240,26 @@ fn parse_add_args(args: &[String]) -> Result<AddArgs, i32> {
            "--branch" => {
                branch = iter.next().cloned();
                if branch.is_none() {
-                    error("--branch requires a value");
+                    error!("--branch requires a value");
                    return Err(1);
                }
            }
            "--tag" => {
                tag = iter.next().cloned();
                if tag.is_none() {
-                    error("--tag requires a value");
+                    error!("--tag requires a value");
                    return Err(1);
                }
            }
            "--rev" => {
                rev = iter.next().cloned();
                if rev.is_none() {
-                    error("--rev requires a value");
+                    error!("--rev requires a value");
                    return Err(1);
                }
            }
            _ => {
-                error(&format!("Unknown argument: {}", arg));
+                error!("Unknown argument: {arg}");
                return Err(1);
            }
        }
@@ -262,9 +267,25 @@ fn parse_add_args(args: &[String]) -> Result<AddArgs, i32> {

    let mut path = None;
    let mut git = None;
+    let mut pkg_config = None;

    // Map source prefixes / bare URLs to path or git fields
-    if let Some(p) = source_spec.strip_prefix("path:") {
+    if let Some(p) = source_spec
+        .strip_prefix("pkg-config:")
+        .or_else(|| source_spec.strip_prefix("pkg:"))
+    {
+        let packages = p
+            .split(',')
+            .map(str::trim)
+            .filter(|name| !name.is_empty())
+            .map(str::to_string)
+            .collect::<Vec<_>>();
+        if packages.is_empty() {
+            error!("pkg-config source must name at least one package");
+            return Err(1);
+        }
+        pkg_config = Some(packages);
+    } else if let Some(p) = source_spec.strip_prefix("path:") {
        path = Some(p.to_string());
    } else if let Some(g) = source_spec.strip_prefix("github:") {
        git = Some(format!("https://github.com/{}", g));
@@ -294,8 +315,8 @@ fn parse_add_args(args: &[String]) -> Result<AddArgs, i32> {
    {
        path = Some(source_spec);
    } else {
-        error(
-            "Source must be a path, a prefixed source (path:, git:, github:, gitlab:), or a full URL",
+        error!(
+            "Source must be a path, pkg-config:, a prefixed source (path:, git:, github:, gitlab:), or a full URL",
        );
        return Err(1);
    }
@@ -308,5 +329,6 @@ fn parse_add_args(args: &[String]) -> Result<AddArgs, i32> {
        tag,
        rev,
        version_from_registry: None,
+        pkg_config,
    })
 }
--- a/src/cli/build.rs
+++ b/src/cli/build.rs
@@ -15,6 +15,8 @@
 // You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
 // along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.

+use crate::prelude::*;
+
 use crate::cli::clean::clean;
 use crate::cli::flags::parse_build_run_flags;
 use crate::cli::r#gen::{ProjectInfo, write_dcr_metadata};
@@ -27,34 +29,16 @@ use crate::utils::build::{
    normalize_kind, resolve_artifact_target_dir, resolve_compiler,
 };
 use crate::utils::fs::{canonicalize_path, find_project_root};
-use crate::utils::log::error;
-use crate::utils::text::{BOLD_CYAN, BOLD_GREEN, BOLD_YELLOW, colored, printc};
+use crate::utils::output;
 use std::io::IsTerminal;
 use std::path::Path;
 use std::sync::{Arc, atomic::AtomicBool};

 pub use crate::core::build::get_build_string_with_profile;

-/// Formats a left-aligned status verb with the given style for CLI output.
-fn status(verb: &str, style: &str) -> String {
-    colored(&format!("{verb:<9}"), style)
-}
-
 /// CLI build reporter that prints human-readable progress to stderr/stdout.
 struct CliReporter;

-impl CliReporter {
-    /// Prints a single status line with a styled verb and free-form rest text.
-    ///
-    /// # Parameters
-    /// - `verb`: Short status label (e.g. `"target"`, `"dep"`).
-    /// - `style`: Color/style constant for the verb.
-    /// - `rest`: Remaining message text after the verb.
-    fn line(&self, verb: &str, style: &str, rest: &str) {
-        eprintln!("  {} {}", status(verb, style), rest);
-    }
-}
-
 impl BuildReporter for CliReporter {
    /// Handles build events by printing progress, status lines, and compiler output.
    ///
@@ -68,7 +52,13 @@ impl BuildReporter for CliReporter {
                target,
            } => {
                common::finish_progress_line();
-                self.line("target", BOLD_CYAN, &format!("{index}/{total}  {target}"));
+                output::emit_event(
+                    "target_started",
+                    serde_json::json!({
+                        "index": index, "total": total, "target": target
+                    }),
+                    &format!("target {index}/{total} {target}"),
+                );
            }
            BuildEvent::ProjectStart {
                name,
@@ -76,15 +66,23 @@ impl BuildReporter for CliReporter {
                target,
            } => {
                common::finish_progress_line();
-                self.line(
-                    "project",
-                    BOLD_CYAN,
-                    &format!("{name}  ({profile}, {target})"),
+                output::emit_event(
+                    "project_started",
+                    serde_json::json!({
+                        "name": name, "profile": profile, "target": target
+                    }),
+                    &format!("project {name} ({profile}, {target})"),
                );
            }
            BuildEvent::DepBuilding { name, version } => {
                common::finish_progress_line();
-                self.line("dep", BOLD_YELLOW, &format!("{name} v{version}"));
+                output::emit_event(
+                    "dependency_building",
+                    serde_json::json!({
+                        "name": name, "version": version
+                    }),
+                    &format!("dep {name} v{version}"),
+                );
            }
            BuildEvent::DepReady {
                name,
@@ -94,34 +92,55 @@ impl BuildReporter for CliReporter {
                common::finish_progress_line();
                // Only announce deps that were actually rebuilt this run.
                if rebuilt {
-                    self.line("ready", BOLD_GREEN, &format!("{name} v{version}"));
+                    output::emit_event(
+                        "dependency_ready",
+                        serde_json::json!({
+                            "name": name, "version": version, "rebuilt": rebuilt
+                        }),
+                        &format!("ready {name} v{version}"),
+                    );
                }
            }
            BuildEvent::Compiling { name, version } => {
                common::finish_progress_line();
-                let label = format!("  {} {} v{}", status("compile", BOLD_GREEN), name, version);
+                let label = format!(
+                    "  {}",
+                    output::progress_label("compile", &format!("{name} v{version}"))
+                );
                // Terminals use an in-place progress line; non-TTY gets a plain log line.
-                common::set_progress_label(Some(label.clone()));
-                if !std::io::stderr().is_terminal() {
-                    eprintln!("{label}");
+                if output::mode() == output::Mode::Human {
+                    common::set_progress_label(Some(label.clone()));
+                }
+                if output::mode() != output::Mode::Human || !std::io::stderr().is_terminal() {
+                    output::emit_event(
+                        "compiling",
+                        serde_json::json!({
+                            "name": name, "version": version
+                        }),
+                        &format!("compile {name} v{version}"),
+                    );
                }
            }
            BuildEvent::Packing { path } => {
                common::finish_progress_line();
-                self.line("pack", BOLD_CYAN, path);
+                output::emit_event(
+                    "packing",
+                    serde_json::json!({ "path": path }),
+                    &format!("pack {path}"),
+                );
            }
            BuildEvent::Finished { secs } => {
                common::finish_progress_line();
-                self.line("done", BOLD_GREEN, &format!("in {secs}s"));
+                output::emit_event(
+                    "finished",
+                    serde_json::json!({ "seconds": secs }),
+                    &format!("done in {secs}s"),
+                );
            }
            BuildEvent::CompilerOutput { stream, text } => {
                // Pause the progress spinner so compiler text is not overwritten.
                common::interrupt_progress_for_output();
-                if stream == "stderr" {
-                    eprint!("{text}");
-                } else {
-                    print!("{text}");
-                }
+                output::compiler_output(stream, text);
            }
        }
    }
@@ -140,26 +159,22 @@ impl BuildReporter for CliReporter {
 /// Process exit code: `0` on success or help, non-zero on failure.
 pub fn build(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
    if args.first().is_some_and(|a| a == "--help") {
-        printc("USAGE:", BOLD_GREEN);
-        printc(
-            "    dcr build [--debug | --release] [--target <triple>] [--force] [--clean] [--verbose] [--print-artifact-path]",
-            BOLD_CYAN,
-        );
-        println!();
-        printc("DESCRIPTION:", BOLD_GREEN);
-        println!("    Compiles the project. Default profile is --debug.");
-        println!();
-        printc("OPTIONS:", BOLD_GREEN);
-        println!("    --debug              Build with debug profile (default)");
-        println!("    --release            Build with release profile");
-        println!("    --target <triple>    Cross-compile for the given target");
-        println!("    --force              Force a full rebuild");
-        println!("    --clean              Clean before building");
-        println!("    --verbose            Print detailed build output");
-        println!("    --workspace <name>   Build a specific workspace member");
-        println!(
-            "    --print-artifact-path  Print absolute main artifact path on stdout after success"
-        );
+        let mut help = crate::utils::help::HelpBuilder::new("dcr build");
+        help.description("Compiles the project. Default profile is --debug.");
+        help.section("USAGE").example("dcr build [options]");
+        help.section("OPTIONS")
+            .item("--debug", "Build with debug profile (default)")
+            .item("--release", "Build with release profile")
+            .item("--target <triple>", "Cross-compile for the given target")
+            .item("--force", "Force a full rebuild")
+            .item("--clean", "Clean before building")
+            .item("--verbose", "Print detailed build output")
+            .item("--workspace <name>", "Build a specific workspace member")
+            .item(
+                "--print-artifact-path",
+                "Print the absolute main artifact path",
+            );
+        help.render();
        return 0;
    }

@@ -173,18 +188,18 @@ pub fn build(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
    let start_dir = match std::env::current_dir() {
        Ok(dir) => dir,
        Err(_) => {
-            error("Failed to determine current directory");
+            error!("Failed to determine current directory");
            return 1;
        }
    };
    let root = match find_project_root(&start_dir) {
        Ok(Some(dir)) => canonicalize_path(&dir),
        Ok(None) => {
-            error("dcr.toml file not found");
+            error!("dcr.toml file not found");
            return 1;
        }
        Err(_) => {
-            error("Failed to find project root");
+            error!("Failed to find project root");
            return 1;
        }
    };
@@ -230,19 +245,27 @@ pub fn build(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
                if flags.print_artifact_path
                    && let Some(ref path) = info.artifact_path
                {
-                    println!("{path}");
+                    if crate::utils::output::mode() == crate::utils::output::Mode::Json {
+                        crate::utils::output::write_stdout_raw(&format!("{path}\n"));
+                    } else {
+                        crate::say!("{path}");
+                    }
                }
            } else if flags.print_artifact_path
                && let Some(path) =
                    fallback_artifact_path(&root, &flags.profile, flags.target.as_deref())
            {
-                println!("{path}");
+                if crate::utils::output::mode() == crate::utils::output::Mode::Json {
+                    crate::utils::output::write_stdout_raw(&format!("{path}\n"));
+                } else {
+                    crate::say!("{path}");
+                }
            }
            0
        }
        Err(err) => {
            common::finish_progress_line();
-            error(&err.message);
+            error!("{}", err.message);
            1
        }
    }
--- a/src/cli/clean.rs
+++ b/src/cli/clean.rs
@@ -15,15 +15,14 @@
 // You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
 // along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.

+use crate::prelude::*;
+
 use crate::core::build_config::Config;
 use crate::core::workspace::parse_workspace;
 use crate::utils::build::{default_profile_flags, default_target_triple, parse_version_info};
 use crate::utils::fs::{check_dir, find_project_root, with_dir};
-use crate::utils::log::{error, warn};
-use crate::utils::text::{BOLD_CYAN, BOLD_GREEN, colored, printc};
 use glob::glob;
-use std::fs;
-use std::path::Path;
+use std::{fs, path::Path};

 /// Entry point for the `dcr clean` command.
 ///
@@ -36,45 +35,41 @@ use std::path::Path;
 /// Process exit code: `0` on success, `1` on failure.
 pub fn clean(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
    if args.first().is_some_and(|a| a == "--help") {
-        printc("USAGE:", BOLD_GREEN);
-        printc(
-            "    dcr clean [--debug | --release] [--target <triple>] [--all]",
-            BOLD_CYAN,
-        );
-        println!();
-        printc("DESCRIPTION:", BOLD_GREEN);
-        println!("    Removes build artifacts from the target directory.");
-        println!();
-        printc("OPTIONS:", BOLD_GREEN);
-        println!("    --debug              Clean debug artifacts (default)");
-        println!("    --release            Clean release artifacts");
-        println!("    --target <triple>    Clean artifacts for a specific target");
-        println!("    --all                Clean all workspace members");
+        let mut help = crate::utils::help::HelpBuilder::new("dcr clean");
+        help.section("USAGE")
+            .example("dcr clean [--debug | --release] [--target <triple>] [--all]");
+        help.description("Removes build artifacts from the target directory.");
+        help.section("OPTIONS")
+            .item("--debug", "Clean debug artifacts (default)")
+            .item("--release", "Clean release artifacts")
+            .item("--target <triple>", "Clean artifacts for a specific target")
+            .item("--all", "Clean all workspace members");
+        help.render();
        return 0;
    }

    let start_dir = match std::env::current_dir() {
        Ok(dir) => dir,
        Err(_) => {
-            error("Failed to determine current directory");
+            error!("Failed to determine current directory");
            return 1;
        }
    };
    let root = match find_project_root(&start_dir) {
        Ok(Some(dir)) => dir,
        Ok(None) => {
-            error("dcr.toml file not found");
+            error!("dcr.toml file not found");
            return 1;
        }
        Err(_) => {
-            error("Failed to find project root");
+            error!("Failed to find project root");
            return 1;
        }
    };
    let flags = match parse_clean_flags(args) {
        Ok(v) => v,
        Err(msg) => {
-            error(&msg);
+            error!("{msg}");
            return 1;
        }
    };
@@ -83,7 +78,7 @@ pub fn clean(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
    match with_dir(&root, || clean_from_root(&root, &flags)) {
        Ok(()) => 0,
        Err(msg) => {
-            error(&msg);
+            error!("{msg}");
            1
        }
    }
@@ -210,10 +205,7 @@ fn clean_project_at(
        if !items.contains(&"dcr.toml".to_string()) {
            return Err("dcr.toml file not found".to_string());
        }
-        println!(
-            "    Cleaning project `{}`",
-            colored(&project_name, BOLD_GREEN)
-        );
+        crate::utils::output::status("Cleaning", format!("project `{project_name}`"));
        if let Some(profile) = profile {
            let target_dir = if let Some(t) = target {
                format!("target/{t}/{profile}")
@@ -229,18 +221,14 @@ fn clean_project_at(
                target_items.contains(&profile.to_string())
            };
            if !dir_exists {
-                warn(&format!("Directory target/{} not found", target_dir));
+                warn!("Directory target/{target_dir} not found");
            } else {
-                println!("    Profile: {}", colored(profile, BOLD_GREEN));
+                crate::utils::output::status("Profile", profile);
                if let Some(t) = target {
-                    println!("    Target: {}", colored(t, BOLD_GREEN));
+                    crate::utils::output::status("Target", t);
                }
                let _ = fs::remove_dir_all(&target_dir);
-                println!(
-                    "{} Removed directory {}",
-                    colored("\n    ✔", BOLD_GREEN),
-                    target_dir
-                );
+                crate::utils::output::removed(format!("directory {target_dir}"));
            }
            clean_custom_paths(&config, profile)?;
            return Ok(());
@@ -248,12 +236,9 @@ fn clean_project_at(

        if items.contains(&"target".to_string()) {
            let _ = fs::remove_dir_all("target");
-            println!(
-                "{} Removed directory target",
-                colored("\n    ✔", BOLD_GREEN)
-            );
+            crate::utils::output::removed("directory target");
        } else {
-            warn("Directory target not found");
+            warn!("Directory target not found");
        }
        clean_custom_paths(&config, "debug")?;
        clean_custom_paths(&config, "release")?;
--- a/src/cli/flag_update.rs
+++ b/src/cli/flag_update.rs
@@ -15,8 +15,8 @@
 // You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
 // along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.

-use crate::utils::log::{error, warn};
-use crate::utils::text::{BOLD_CYAN, BOLD_GREEN, printc};
+use crate::prelude::*;
+
 use serde::Deserialize;
 use std::fs;
 use std::io::Read;
@@ -55,32 +55,32 @@ struct ReleaseAsset {
 /// `0` on success / already up to date / pacman-managed refuse; `1` on error.
 pub fn flag_update(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
    if args.first().is_some_and(|a| a == "--help") {
-        printc("USAGE:", BOLD_GREEN);
-        printc("    dcr --update", BOLD_CYAN);
-        println!();
-        printc("DESCRIPTION:", BOLD_GREEN);
-        println!("    Updates DCR to the latest version from GitHub Releases.");
+        let mut help = crate::utils::help::HelpBuilder::new("dcr --update");
+        help.section("USAGE").example("dcr --update");
+        help.description("Updates DCR to the latest version from GitHub Releases.");
+        help.render();
        return 0;
    }

    if !args.is_empty() {
-        warn("Command does not support additional arguments");
+        warn!("Command does not support additional arguments");
        return 1;
    }

    let current_exe = match std::env::current_exe() {
        Ok(path) => path,
        Err(_) => {
-            error("Failed to resolve current binary path");
+            error!("Failed to resolve current binary path");
            return 1;
        }
    };

    // Refuse self-update when the binary is owned by pacman/AUR.
    if let Some(package_name) = pacman_owned_package(&current_exe) {
-        warn("This dcr binary is managed by pacman/AUR");
-        println!(
-            "Update via package manager: yay/paru -Syu {package_name} or sudo pacman -Syu {package_name}"
+        warn!("This dcr binary is managed by pacman/AUR");
+        crate::utils::output::status(
+            "Update via package manager:",
+            format!("yay/paru -Syu {package_name} or sudo pacman -Syu {package_name}"),
        );
        return 0;
    }
@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ pub fn flag_update(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
    let release = match fetch_latest_release() {
        Ok(release) => release,
        Err(err) => {
-            error(&format!("Failed to check for updates: {err}"));
+            error!("Failed to check for updates: {err}");
            return 1;
        }
    };
@@ -99,7 +99,7 @@ pub fn flag_update(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
    // Normalize the tag by stripping a leading `v` before comparison.
    let latest_version = release.tag_name.trim_start_matches('v');
    if latest_version == current_version {
-        println!("Latest version is already installed: {current_version}");
+        crate::utils::output::status("Up to date", current_version);
        return 0;
    }

@@ -109,14 +109,14 @@ pub fn flag_update(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
        .iter()
        .find(|asset| candidate_names.iter().any(|name| name == &asset.name))
    else {
-        error(&format!("Binary for target {target} not found"));
+        error!("Binary for target {target} not found");
        return 1;
    };

    let bytes = match download_asset(&asset.browser_download_url) {
        Ok(bytes) => bytes,
        Err(err) => {
-            error(&format!("Failed to download update: {err}"));
+            error!("Failed to download update: {err}");
            return 1;
        }
    };
@@ -124,7 +124,7 @@ pub fn flag_update(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
    let temp_path = temp_binary_path(&current_exe);

    if fs::write(&temp_path, &bytes).is_err() {
-        error("Failed to write temporary binary");
+        error!("Failed to write temporary binary");
        return 1;
    }
    set_executable_permissions(&temp_path);
@@ -132,12 +132,14 @@ pub fn flag_update(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
    // Replace the running executable in place, then clean up the temp file.
    if self_replace::self_replace(&temp_path).is_err() {
        let _ = fs::remove_file(&temp_path);
-        error("Failed to replace current binary");
+        error!("Failed to replace current binary");
        return 1;
    }

    let _ = fs::remove_file(&temp_path);
-    println!("Update completed: {current_version} -> {latest_version}");
+    crate::utils::output::success(format!(
+        "Updated DCR: {current_version} -> {latest_version}"
+    ));
    0
 }

--- a/src/cli/flags.rs
+++ b/src/cli/flags.rs
@@ -15,8 +15,9 @@
 // You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
 // along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.

+use crate::prelude::*;
+
 use crate::config::{PROFILE, flags};
-use crate::utils::log::warn;

 /// Flags shared by the `build` and `run` CLI commands.
 pub struct BuildRunFlags {
@@ -82,7 +83,7 @@ pub fn parse_build_run_flags(args: &[String]) -> Result<BuildRunFlags, i32> {
    while let Some(arg) = iter.next() {
        // DCR build/run options are long flags only (`--name`).
        if !arg.starts_with("--") {
-            warn("Unknown argument");
+            warn!("Unknown argument");
            return Err(1);
        }
        let candidate = arg.trim_start_matches("--");
@@ -106,7 +107,7 @@ pub fn parse_build_run_flags(args: &[String]) -> Result<BuildRunFlags, i32> {
            if let Some(w) = iter.next() {
                workspace = Some(w.clone());
            } else {
-                warn("--workspace requires a value");
+                warn!("--workspace requires a value");
                return Err(1);
            }
            continue;
@@ -115,7 +116,7 @@ pub fn parse_build_run_flags(args: &[String]) -> Result<BuildRunFlags, i32> {
            if let Some(t) = iter.next() {
                target = Some(t.clone());
            } else {
-                warn("--target requires a value");
+                warn!("--target requires a value");
                return Err(1);
            }
            continue;
@@ -123,13 +124,13 @@ pub fn parse_build_run_flags(args: &[String]) -> Result<BuildRunFlags, i32> {
        // Profile names come from config::flags; only one profile may be set.
        if flags(candidate).is_some() {
            if profile != PROFILE {
-                warn("Duplicate profile flag");
+                warn!("Duplicate profile flag");
                return Err(1);
            }
            profile = candidate.to_string();
            continue;
        }
-        warn("Unknown build flag");
+        warn!("Unknown build flag");
        return Err(1);
    }

--- a/src/cli/fmt.rs
+++ b/src/cli/fmt.rs
@@ -15,8 +15,8 @@
 // You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
 // along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.

-use crate::utils::log::error;
-use crate::utils::text::{BOLD_CYAN, BOLD_GREEN, colored, printc};
+use crate::prelude::*;
+
 use glob::glob;
 use std::process::Command;

@@ -28,12 +28,11 @@ use std::process::Command;
 /// If the first argument is `--help`, prints usage information and returns 0.
 pub fn fmt(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
    if args.first().is_some_and(|a| a == "--help") {
-        printc("USAGE:", BOLD_GREEN);
-        printc("    dcr fmt", BOLD_CYAN);
-        println!();
-        printc("DESCRIPTION:", BOLD_GREEN);
-        println!("    Formats all C/C++ source files using clang-format.");
-        println!("    Scans src/ and tests/ directories recursively.");
+        let mut help = crate::utils::help::HelpBuilder::new("dcr fmt");
+        help.section("USAGE").example("dcr fmt");
+        help.description("Formats all C/C++ source files using clang-format.")
+            .note("Scans src/ and tests/ directories recursively.");
+        help.render();
        return 0;
    }

@@ -69,30 +68,26 @@ pub fn fmt(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
    }

    if files.is_empty() {
-        println!("    {} No files to format", colored("Format", BOLD_GREEN));
+        crate::utils::output::status("Format", "no files to format");
        return 0;
    }

    // Format the collected files
-    println!(
-        "    {} {} files",
-        colored("Formatting", BOLD_GREEN),
-        files.len()
-    );
+    crate::utils::output::status("Formatting", format!("{} files", files.len()));

    let status = Command::new("clang-format").arg("-i").args(&files).status();

    match status {
        Ok(s) if s.success() => {
-            println!("    {} successful", colored("Format", BOLD_GREEN));
+            crate::utils::output::success("Format successful");
            0
        }
        Ok(s) => {
-            error(&format!("clang-format failed with status: {}", s));
+            error!("clang-format failed with status: {s}");
            1
        }
        Err(e) => {
-            error(&format!("Failed to execute clang-format: {}", e));
+            error!("Failed to execute clang-format: {e}");
            1
        }
    }
--- a/src/cli/gen.rs
+++ b/src/cli/gen.rs
@@ -15,6 +15,8 @@
 // You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
 // along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.

+use crate::prelude::*;
+
 use crate::core::build::builder::BuildContext;
 use crate::core::build::builder::artifact::{absolute_artifact_path, resolve_artifact_path};
 use crate::core::build::builder::collect_sources;
@@ -29,8 +31,6 @@ use crate::utils::build::{
 use crate::utils::fs::{
    absolute_join, atomic_write, canonicalize_path, ensure_dcr_dir, find_project_root,
 };
-use crate::utils::log::error;
-use crate::utils::text::{BOLD_CYAN, BOLD_GREEN, printc};
 use std::path::{Path, PathBuf};
 use std::time::{SystemTime, UNIX_EPOCH};

@@ -42,11 +42,13 @@ struct GenDeps {
    include_dirs: Vec<String>,
    lib_dirs: Vec<String>,
    libs: Vec<String>,
+    cflags: Vec<String>,
+    ldflags: Vec<String>,
 }

-/// Collects path-dependency include/lib/libs from `dcr.toml` for code generation.
+/// Collects dependency metadata from `dcr.toml` for code generation.
 ///
-/// Skips `system` deps and non-path entries. Falls back to common include/lib
+/// Resolves path layouts and pkg-config flags while skipping system deps. Falls back to common include/lib
 /// directory names only when those directories exist.
 fn resolve_deps_for_gen(config: &Config, profile: &str, project_root: &Path) -> GenDeps {
    let deps_val = match config.get("dependencies") {
@@ -56,6 +58,8 @@ fn resolve_deps_for_gen(config: &Config, profile: &str, project_root: &Path) ->
                include_dirs: vec![],
                lib_dirs: vec![],
                libs: vec![],
+                cflags: vec![],
+                ldflags: vec![],
            };
        }
    };
@@ -66,6 +70,8 @@ fn resolve_deps_for_gen(config: &Config, profile: &str, project_root: &Path) ->
                include_dirs: vec![],
                lib_dirs: vec![],
                libs: vec![],
+                cflags: vec![],
+                ldflags: vec![],
            };
        }
    };
@@ -73,12 +79,37 @@ fn resolve_deps_for_gen(config: &Config, profile: &str, project_root: &Path) ->
    let mut include_dirs = Vec::new();
    let mut lib_dirs = Vec::new();
    let mut libs = Vec::new();
+    let mut cflags = Vec::new();
+    let mut ldflags = Vec::new();

    for (name, value) in deps_table {
        let tbl = match value.as_table() {
            Some(t) => t,
            None => continue,
        };
+        let pkg_names = tbl
+            .get("pkg-config")
+            .or_else(|| tbl.get("pkg_config"))
+            .map(|raw| {
+                raw.as_str()
+                    .map(|s| vec![s.to_string()])
+                    .or_else(|| {
+                        raw.as_array().map(|a| {
+                            a.iter()
+                                .filter_map(|v| v.as_str().map(str::to_string))
+                                .collect()
+                        })
+                    })
+                    .unwrap_or_default()
+            })
+            .unwrap_or_default();
+        if !pkg_names.is_empty() {
+            let (flags, link_flags) =
+                crate::utils::build::resolve_pkg_config_flags_lossy(&pkg_names, &[], &[]);
+            cflags.extend(flags);
+            ldflags.extend(link_flags);
+            continue;
+        }
        // skip system deps
        if tbl.get("system").and_then(|v| v.as_bool()).unwrap_or(false) {
            continue;
@@ -169,6 +200,8 @@ fn resolve_deps_for_gen(config: &Config, profile: &str, project_root: &Path) ->
        include_dirs,
        lib_dirs,
        libs,
+        cflags,
+        ldflags,
    }
 }

@@ -218,33 +251,30 @@ pub struct ProjectInfo {
 pub fn r#gen(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
    let subcommand = match args.first() {
        Some(s) if s == "--help" => {
-            printc("USAGE:", BOLD_GREEN);
-            printc("    dcr gen <subcommand>", BOLD_CYAN);
-            println!();
-            printc("DESCRIPTION:", BOLD_GREEN);
-            println!("    Generates IDE and tooling integration files.");
-            println!();
-            printc("SUBCOMMANDS:", BOLD_GREEN);
-            println!("    project-info      Print project metadata as JSON");
-            println!("    compile-commands  Generate .dcr/compile_commands.json");
-            println!("    vscode            Generate .vscode/ integration files");
-            println!("    clion             Generate .idea/ integration files");
-            println!();
-            printc("OPTIONS:", BOLD_GREEN);
-            println!("    --debug | --release   Profile (default: debug)");
-            println!("    --quiet | -q          Suppress success messages on stdout");
+            let mut help = crate::utils::help::HelpBuilder::new("dcr gen");
+            help.section("USAGE").example("dcr gen <subcommand>");
+            help.description("Generates IDE and tooling integration files.");
+            help.section("SUBCOMMANDS")
+                .item("project-info", "Print project metadata as JSON")
+                .item("compile-commands", "Generate .dcr/compile_commands.json")
+                .item("vscode", "Generate .vscode/ integration files")
+                .item("clion", "Generate .idea/ integration files");
+            help.section("OPTIONS")
+                .item("--debug | --release", "Profile (default: debug)")
+                .item("--quiet | -q", "Suppress success messages on stdout");
+            help.render();
            return 0;
        }
        Some(s) => s.as_str(),
        None => {
-            printc("USAGE:", BOLD_GREEN);
-            printc("    dcr gen <subcommand>", BOLD_CYAN);
-            println!();
-            printc("SUBCOMMANDS:", BOLD_GREEN);
-            println!("    project-info      Print project metadata as JSON");
-            println!("    compile-commands  Generate .dcr/compile_commands.json");
-            println!("    vscode            Generate .vscode/ integration files");
-            println!("    clion             Generate .idea/ integration files");
+            let mut help = crate::utils::help::HelpBuilder::new("dcr gen");
+            help.section("USAGE").example("dcr gen <subcommand>");
+            help.section("SUBCOMMANDS")
+                .item("project-info", "Print project metadata as JSON")
+                .item("compile-commands", "Generate .dcr/compile_commands.json")
+                .item("vscode", "Generate .vscode/ integration files")
+                .item("clion", "Generate .idea/ integration files");
+            help.render();
            return 1;
        }
    };
@@ -257,7 +287,7 @@ pub fn r#gen(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
        "vscode" => gen_vscode(rest),
        "clion" => gen_clion(rest),
        _ => {
-            error(&format!("Unknown gen subcommand: {subcommand}"));
+            error!("Unknown gen subcommand: {subcommand}");
            1
        }
    }
@@ -350,8 +380,10 @@ fn collect_project_info_inner(
    });

    let resolved = resolve_deps_for_gen(&config, profile, &root);
-    let (resolved_cflags, resolved_ldflags) =
+    let (mut resolved_cflags, mut resolved_ldflags) =
        resolve_pkg_config_flags_lossy(&pkg_configs, &base_cflags, &base_ldflags);
+    resolved_cflags.extend(resolved.cflags.clone());
+    resolved_ldflags.extend(resolved.ldflags.clone());

    // Build exclude/include pattern lists (same logic as cli::build)
    let mut combined_excludes: Vec<PathBuf> = Vec::new();
@@ -741,8 +773,8 @@ fn ensure_clangd(root: &Path, quiet: bool) {
            }
            Ok(_) => {
                if !quiet {
-                    eprintln!(
-                        "Warning: .clangd already exists and is not managed by dcr; \
+                    crate::utils::output::warning!(
+                        ".clangd already exists and is not managed by dcr; \
                         set CompilationDatabase to .dcr manually if needed"
                    );
                }
@@ -781,8 +813,8 @@ fn collect_all(root: &Path, profile: &str) -> Result<Vec<ProjectInfo>, String> {
            let member_path = canonicalize_path(&member.path);
            match collect_project_info(&member_path, profile, ws_root) {
                Ok(info) => all.push(info),
-                Err(e) => eprintln!(
-                    "Warning: skipping workspace member {}: {e}",
+                Err(e) => crate::utils::output::warning!(
+                    "skipping workspace member {}: {e}",
                    member_path.display()
                ),
            }
@@ -793,7 +825,7 @@ fn collect_all(root: &Path, profile: &str) -> Result<Vec<ProjectInfo>, String> {
        match collect_project_info(&root, profile, ws_root) {
            Ok(info) => all.push(info),
            Err(e) if is_workspace => {
-                eprintln!("Warning: skipping workspace root package: {e}");
+                crate::utils::output::warning!("skipping workspace root package: {e}");
            }
            Err(e) => return Err(e),
        }
@@ -818,7 +850,7 @@ fn gen_project_info(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
    let all = match collect_all(&root, &profile) {
        Ok(v) => v,
        Err(e) => {
-            error(&e);
+            error!("{e}");
            return 1;
        }
    };
@@ -827,20 +859,12 @@ fn gen_project_info(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
        && let Err(e) = write_dcr_metadata(&root, info)
        && !quiet
    {
-        eprintln!("Warning: {e}");
+        crate::utils::output::warning!("{e}");
    }
    ensure_clangd(&root, quiet);

-    print!("[");
-    for (i, info) in all.iter().enumerate() {
-        if i > 0 {
-            print!(",");
-        }
-        println!();
-        print!("{}", project_info_to_json(info));
-    }
-    println!();
-    println!("]");
+    let entries = all.iter().map(project_info_to_json).collect::<Vec<_>>();
+    crate::utils::output::write_stdout_raw(&format!("[\n{}\n]\n", entries.join(",\n")));
    0
 }

@@ -940,7 +964,7 @@ fn gen_compile_commands(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
    let all = match collect_all(&root, &profile) {
        Ok(v) => v,
        Err(e) => {
-            error(&e);
+            error!("{e}");
            return 1;
        }
    };
@@ -953,7 +977,7 @@ fn gen_compile_commands(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
 /// Used by `compile-commands`, `vscode`, and `clion`.
 fn gen_compile_commands_inner(root: &Path, profile: &str, all: &[ProjectInfo], quiet: bool) -> i32 {
    if let Err(e) = ensure_dcr_dir(root) {
-        error(&format!("Failed to create .dcr/: {e}"));
+        error!("Failed to create .dcr/: {e}");
        return 1;
    }

@@ -965,16 +989,16 @@ fn gen_compile_commands_inner(root: &Path, profile: &str, all: &[ProjectInfo], q
                && let Err(e) = write_dcr_metadata(root, info)
                && !quiet
            {
-                eprintln!("Warning: {e}");
+                crate::utils::output::warning!("{e}");
            }
            ensure_clangd(root, quiet);
            if !quiet {
-                println!("Generated {}", out_path.display());
+                crate::utils::output::created(format!("{}", out_path.display()));
            }
            0
        }
        Err(e) => {
-            error(&format!("Failed to write compile_commands.json: {e}"));
+            error!("Failed to write compile_commands.json: {e}");
            1
        }
    }
@@ -1128,7 +1152,7 @@ fn gen_vscode(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
    let all = match collect_all(&root, &profile) {
        Ok(v) => v,
        Err(e) => {
-            error(&e);
+            error!("{e}");
            return 1;
        }
    };
@@ -1141,39 +1165,39 @@ fn gen_vscode(args: &[String]) -> i32 {

    let vscode_dir = root.join(".vscode");
    if let Err(e) = std::fs::create_dir_all(&vscode_dir) {
-        error(&format!("Failed to create .vscode/: {e}"));
+        error!("Failed to create .vscode/: {e}");
        return 1;
    }

    // tasks.json
    if let Err(e) = std::fs::write(vscode_dir.join("tasks.json"), gen_tasks_json()) {
-        error(&format!("Failed to write tasks.json: {e}"));
+        error!("Failed to write tasks.json: {e}");
        return 1;
    }
-    println!("Generated {}", vscode_dir.join("tasks.json").display());
+    crate::utils::output::created(format!("{}", vscode_dir.join("tasks.json").display()));

    // launch.json — one entry per binary target
    let launch = gen_launch_json(&all, &root);
    if let Err(e) = std::fs::write(vscode_dir.join("launch.json"), launch) {
-        error(&format!("Failed to write launch.json: {e}"));
+        error!("Failed to write launch.json: {e}");
        return 1;
    }
-    println!("Generated {}", vscode_dir.join("launch.json").display());
+    crate::utils::output::created(format!("{}", vscode_dir.join("launch.json").display()));

    // settings.json (clangd compile-commands-dir)
    let settings = gen_settings_json(&root);
    if let Err(e) = std::fs::write(vscode_dir.join("settings.json"), settings) {
-        error(&format!("Failed to write settings.json: {e}"));
+        error!("Failed to write settings.json: {e}");
        return 1;
    }
-    println!("Generated {}", vscode_dir.join("settings.json").display());
+    crate::utils::output::created(format!("{}", vscode_dir.join("settings.json").display()));

    // extensions.json — disable cpptools, recommend clangd
    if let Err(e) = std::fs::write(vscode_dir.join("extensions.json"), gen_extensions_json()) {
-        error(&format!("Failed to write extensions.json: {e}"));
+        error!("Failed to write extensions.json: {e}");
        return 1;
    }
-    println!("Generated {}", vscode_dir.join("extensions.json").display());
+    crate::utils::output::created(format!("{}", vscode_dir.join("extensions.json").display()));

    0
 }
@@ -1418,7 +1442,7 @@ fn gen_clion(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
    let all = match collect_all(&root, &profile) {
        Ok(v) => v,
        Err(e) => {
-            error(&e);
+            error!("{e}");
            return 1;
        }
    };
@@ -1431,46 +1455,46 @@ fn gen_clion(args: &[String]) -> i32 {

    let idea_dir = root.join(".idea");
    if let Err(e) = std::fs::create_dir_all(&idea_dir) {
-        error(&format!("Failed to create .idea/: {e}"));
+        error!("Failed to create .idea/: {e}");
        return 1;
    }
    let run_configs_dir = idea_dir.join("runConfigurations");
    if let Err(e) = std::fs::create_dir_all(&run_configs_dir) {
-        error(&format!("Failed to create .idea/runConfigurations/: {e}"));
+        error!("Failed to create .idea/runConfigurations/: {e}");
        return 1;
    }

    // externalTools.xml
    let ext_tools = gen_clion_external_tools();
    if let Err(e) = std::fs::write(idea_dir.join("externalTools.xml"), ext_tools) {
-        error(&format!("Failed to write externalTools.xml: {e}"));
+        error!("Failed to write externalTools.xml: {e}");
        return 1;
    }
-    println!("Generated {}", idea_dir.join("externalTools.xml").display());
+    crate::utils::output::created(format!("{}", idea_dir.join("externalTools.xml").display()));

    // customTargets.xml
    let targets = gen_clion_custom_targets();
    if let Err(e) = std::fs::write(idea_dir.join("customTargets.xml"), targets) {
-        error(&format!("Failed to write customTargets.xml: {e}"));
+        error!("Failed to write customTargets.xml: {e}");
        return 1;
    }
-    println!("Generated {}", idea_dir.join("customTargets.xml").display());
+    crate::utils::output::created(format!("{}", idea_dir.join("customTargets.xml").display()));

    // misc.xml — point CLion at compile_commands.json
    let misc = gen_clion_misc_xml(&root);
    if let Err(e) = std::fs::write(idea_dir.join("misc.xml"), misc) {
-        error(&format!("Failed to write misc.xml: {e}"));
+        error!("Failed to write misc.xml: {e}");
        return 1;
    }
-    println!("Generated {}", idea_dir.join("misc.xml").display());
+    crate::utils::output::created(format!("{}", idea_dir.join("misc.xml").display()));

    // .idea/.gitignore
    let gitignore = "# CLion generated files\nworkspace.xml\n*.iml\n";
    if let Err(e) = std::fs::write(idea_dir.join(".gitignore"), gitignore) {
-        error(&format!("Failed to write .idea/.gitignore: {e}"));
+        error!("Failed to write .idea/.gitignore: {e}");
        return 1;
    }
-    println!("Generated {}", idea_dir.join(".gitignore").display());
+    crate::utils::output::created(format!("{}", idea_dir.join(".gitignore").display()));

    // runConfigurations/<name>.xml — one per binary
    for info in &all {
@@ -1481,10 +1505,10 @@ fn gen_clion(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
        let fname = format!("{}.xml", sanitize_filename(&info.name));
        let path = run_configs_dir.join(&fname);
        if let Err(e) = std::fs::write(&path, xml) {
-            error(&format!("Failed to write runConfigurations/{fname}: {e}"));
+            error!("Failed to write runConfigurations/{fname}: {e}");
            return 1;
        }
-        println!("Generated {}", path.display());
+        crate::utils::output::created(format!("{}", path.display()));
    }

    0
@@ -1685,18 +1709,18 @@ fn parse_gen_args(args: &[String]) -> Result<(PathBuf, String, bool), i32> {
    }

    let start = std::env::current_dir().map_err(|_| {
-        error("Failed to determine current directory");
+        error!("Failed to determine current directory");
        1i32
    })?;

    let root = match find_project_root(&start) {
        Ok(Some(r)) => canonicalize_path(&r),
        Ok(None) => {
-            error("dcr.toml not found");
+            error!("dcr.toml not found");
            return Err(1);
        }
        Err(_) => {
-            error("Failed to find project root");
+            error!("Failed to find project root");
            return Err(1);
        }
    };
--- a/src/cli/help.rs
+++ b/src/cli/help.rs
@@ -15,8 +15,6 @@
 // You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
 // along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.

-use crate::utils::text::{BOLD_CYAN, BOLD_GREEN, printc};
-
 /// Displays the help information for the DCR CLI tool.
 ///
 /// Prints usage, commands, flags, options, examples, and a tip.
@@ -24,43 +22,40 @@ use crate::utils::text::{BOLD_CYAN, BOLD_GREEN, printc};
 /// # Returns
 /// Always `0`.
 pub fn help() -> i32 {
-    println!("DCR (Dexoron Cargo Realization)");
-    println!("C project manager inspired by Cargo.");
-    println!();
-    printc("USAGE:", BOLD_GREEN);
-    printc("    dcr <command> [options]", BOLD_CYAN);
-    println!();
-    printc("COMMANDS:", BOLD_GREEN);
-    println!("    new <name>        Create a new project");
-    println!("    init              Initialize the current directory as a project");
-    println!("    build [--profile] Build the project (default: --debug)");
-    println!("    run [--profile]   Build and run the project (default: --debug)");
-    println!("    add <name> ...    Add a dependency to dcr.toml");
-    println!("    tree              Display the dependency tree");
-    println!("    test              Run project tests (alias: tests)");
-    println!("    fmt               Format all C/C++ source files using clang-format");
-    println!("    lint              Run clang-tidy on C/C++ sources");
-    println!("    setup             Show configured package registries");
-    println!("    clean             Remove the target directory");
-    println!("    gen <subcommand>  Generate IDE integration files");
-    printc("FLAGS:", BOLD_GREEN);
-    println!("    --help            Show command help");
-    println!("    --update          Update dcr to the latest version");
-    println!("    --version         Show dcr version");
-    println!();
-    printc("OPTIONS:", BOLD_GREEN);
-    println!("    --debug           Use debug profile");
-    println!("    --release         Use release profile");
-    println!("    --force           Force rebuild (build/run)");
-    println!("    --clean           Clean before build (build/run)");
-    println!("    --all             Clean all workspace members (clean)");
-    println!();
-    printc("EXAMPLES:", BOLD_GREEN);
-    printc("    dcr new hello", BOLD_CYAN);
-    printc("    dcr build --release", BOLD_CYAN);
-    printc("    dcr run --debug", BOLD_CYAN);
-    println!();
-    printc("TIP:", BOLD_GREEN);
-    println!("    Run 'dcr <command> --help' for command-specific help.");
+    use crate::utils::help::HelpBuilder;
+    let mut help = HelpBuilder::new("DCR (Dexoron Cargo Realization)");
+    help.description("C/C++ project manager inspired by Cargo.");
+    help.section("USAGE").example("dcr <command> [options]");
+    help.section("COMMANDS")
+        .item("new <name>", "Create a new project")
+        .item("init", "Initialize the current directory as a project")
+        .item("build", "Build the project (default: --debug)")
+        .item("run", "Build and run the project")
+        .item("add <name> ...", "Add a dependency to dcr.toml")
+        .item("tree", "Display the dependency tree")
+        .item("test", "Run project tests (alias: tests)")
+        .item("fmt", "Format C/C++ sources using clang-format")
+        .item("lint", "Run clang-tidy on C/C++ sources")
+        .item("setup", "Show configured package registries")
+        .item("clean", "Remove build artifacts")
+        .item("gen <subcommand>", "Generate IDE integration files");
+    help.section("FLAGS")
+        .item("--help", "Show command help")
+        .item("--update", "Update DCR")
+        .item("--version", "Show DCR version");
+    help.section("OPTIONS")
+        .item("--output human|plain|json", "Select output format")
+        .item("--color auto|always|never", "Select color policy")
+        .item("--quiet", "Suppress ordinary diagnostics")
+        .item("--verbose", "Enable detailed diagnostics")
+        .item("--debug / --release", "Select build profile")
+        .item("--force", "Force rebuild (build/run)")
+        .item("--clean", "Clean before build (build/run)")
+        .item("--all", "Clean all workspace members");
+    help.example("dcr new hello")
+        .example("dcr build --release")
+        .example("dcr run --debug");
+    help.tip("Run 'dcr <command> --help' for command-specific help.");
+    help.render();
    0
 }
--- a/src/cli/init.rs
+++ b/src/cli/init.rs
@@ -15,15 +15,13 @@
 // You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
 // along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.

+use crate::prelude::*;
+
 use crate::config::FILE_MAIN_C;
 use crate::core::build_config::{Config, validate_package_name};
 use crate::core::vcs::VcsKind;
 use crate::utils::fs::check_dir;
-use crate::utils::log::{error, warn};
-use crate::utils::text::{BOLD_CYAN, BOLD_GREEN, colored, printc};
-use std::fs;
-use std::io::Write;
-use toml::Value;
+use std::{fs, io::Write};

 /// Initializes the current working directory as a new DCR project.
 ///
@@ -31,12 +29,11 @@ use toml::Value;
 /// `dcr.toml` and `src/main.c`, and configures version control (Git) integration if applicable.
 pub fn init(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
    if args.first().is_some_and(|a| a == "--help") {
-        printc("USAGE:", BOLD_GREEN);
-        printc("    dcr init [--vcs <git|none>]", BOLD_CYAN);
-        println!();
-        printc("DESCRIPTION:", BOLD_GREEN);
-        println!("    Initializes the current directory as a DCR project.");
-        println!("    The directory must be empty.");
+        let mut help = crate::utils::help::HelpBuilder::new("dcr init");
+        help.section("USAGE").example("dcr init [--vcs <git|none>]");
+        help.description("Initializes the current directory as a DCR project.")
+            .note("The directory must be empty.");
+        help.render();
        return 0;
    }

@@ -49,7 +46,7 @@ pub fn init(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
            if let Some(val) = iter.next() {
                vcs_str = Some(val.clone());
            } else {
-                error("--vcs requires a value");
+                error!("--vcs requires a value");
                return 1;
            }
        } else if let Some(stripped) = arg.strip_prefix("--vcs=") {
@@ -60,7 +57,7 @@ pub fn init(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
    }

    if !clean_args.is_empty() {
-        warn("Command does not support additional arguments");
+        warn!("Command does not support additional arguments");
        return 1;
    }

@@ -72,66 +69,44 @@ pub fn init(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
        .unwrap_or_else(|| "project".to_string());

    if !items.is_empty() {
-        error("Directory not empty");
+        error!("Directory not empty");
        return 1;
    }

    if let Err(e) = validate_package_name(&project_name) {
-        error(&format!(
-            "Invalid project name `{}`: {}",
-            colored(&project_name, BOLD_CYAN),
-            e
-        ));
+        error!("Invalid project name `{}`: {e}", project_name,);
        return 1;
    }

    let cwd = std::env::current_dir()
        .map(|v| v.to_string_lossy().to_string())
        .unwrap_or_else(|_| ".".to_string());
-    println!("Initializing the project in {cwd}");
+    crate::utils::output::status("Initializing", format!("project in {cwd}"));

    // Create and initialize default manifest (dcr.toml).
-    let mut config = match Config::new("./dcr.toml") {
-        Ok(cfg) => cfg,
-        Err(_) => {
-            error("Failed to create dcr.toml");
-            return 1;
-        }
-    };
-    if config
-        .edit("package.name", Value::String(project_name.clone()))
-        .is_err()
-    {
-        error("Failed to write dcr.toml");
+    if Config::create("./dcr.toml", Some(&project_name)).is_err() {
+        error!("Failed to create dcr.toml");
        return 1;
    }
-    println!(
-        "    {} Created file {}",
-        colored("✔", BOLD_GREEN),
-        colored("dcr.toml", BOLD_CYAN)
-    );
+    crate::utils::output::created("dcr.toml");

    // Create src directory and write template main.c file.
    if fs::create_dir("src").is_err() {
-        error("Failed to create src/");
+        error!("Failed to create src/");
        return 1;
    }
    let mut main_c = match fs::File::create("./src/main.c") {
        Ok(file) => file,
        Err(_) => {
-            error("Failed to create src/main.c");
+            error!("Failed to create src/main.c");
            return 1;
        }
    };
    if main_c.write_all(FILE_MAIN_C.as_bytes()).is_err() {
-        error("Failed to write src/main.c");
+        error!("Failed to write src/main.c");
        return 1;
    }
-    println!(
-        "    {} Created file {}",
-        colored("✔", BOLD_GREEN),
-        colored("src/main.c", BOLD_CYAN)
-    );
+    crate::utils::output::created("src/main.c");

    // Resolve target VCS provider or detect existing repositories.
    let mut vcs_kind = VcsKind::Git;
@@ -139,7 +114,7 @@ pub fn init(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
        match VcsKind::parse(vcs_val) {
            Ok(kind) => vcs_kind = kind,
            Err(e) => {
-                error(&e);
+                error!("{e}");
                return 1;
            }
        }
@@ -153,29 +128,22 @@ pub fn init(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
        if crate::utils::git::is_git_available() {
            let project_path = std::path::Path::new(".");
            if let Err(e) = crate::core::vcs::init_vcs(vcs_kind, project_path) {
-                warn(&format!("Failed to initialize git repository: {}", e));
+                warn!("Failed to initialize git repository: {e}");
            } else {
-                println!(
-                    "    {} Initialized git repository",
-                    colored("✔", BOLD_GREEN)
-                );
+                crate::utils::output::success("Initialized git repository");
            }
        } else {
-            warn(
+            warn!(
                "Git is not installed or not found in PATH. Skipping Git repository initialization.",
            );
        }
    }

    if let Err(e) = crate::utils::fs::ensure_gitignore_has_dcr(std::path::Path::new(".")) {
-        warn(&format!("Failed to update .gitignore: {e}"));
+        warn!("Failed to update .gitignore: {e}");
    }

-    println!(
-        "Project `{}` successfully created\n",
-        colored(project_name.as_str(), BOLD_GREEN)
-    );
-    printc("Next step:", BOLD_GREEN);
-    printc("    dcr run", BOLD_CYAN);
+    crate::utils::output::success(format!("Initialized project `{project_name}`"));
+    crate::utils::output::info("Next step:\n  dcr run");
    0
 }
--- a/src/cli/lint.rs
+++ b/src/cli/lint.rs
@@ -15,12 +15,12 @@
 // You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
 // along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.

+use crate::prelude::*;
+
 use crate::core::build::common;
 use crate::core::build_config::Config;
 use crate::utils::build::{get_bool_with_profile, get_list_with_profile};
 use crate::utils::fs::find_project_root;
-use crate::utils::log::error;
-use crate::utils::text::{BOLD_CYAN, BOLD_GREEN, BOLD_YELLOW, colored, printc};
 use std::path::{Path, PathBuf};
 use std::process::Command;

@@ -29,15 +29,13 @@ use std::process::Command;
 /// Scans source roots (configurable via build.roots) and tests/ directory.
 pub fn lint(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
    if args.first().is_some_and(|a| a == "--help") {
-        printc("USAGE:", BOLD_GREEN);
-        printc("    dcr lint [--fix]", BOLD_CYAN);
-        println!();
-        printc("DESCRIPTION:", BOLD_GREEN);
-        println!("    Runs clang-tidy on all C/C++ source files.");
-        println!("    Scans source roots (configurable via build.roots) and tests/ directory.");
-        println!();
-        printc("OPTIONS:", BOLD_GREEN);
-        println!("    --fix    Apply clang-tidy suggestions automatically");
+        let mut help = crate::utils::help::HelpBuilder::new("dcr lint");
+        help.section("USAGE").example("dcr lint [--fix]");
+        help.description("Runs clang-tidy on all C/C++ source files.")
+            .note("Scans source roots (configurable via build.roots) and tests/ directory.");
+        help.section("OPTIONS")
+            .item("--fix", "Apply clang-tidy suggestions automatically");
+        help.render();
        return 0;
    }

@@ -46,7 +44,7 @@ pub fn lint(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
    let start_dir = match std::env::current_dir() {
        Ok(dir) => dir,
        Err(_) => {
-            error("Failed to determine current directory");
+            error!("Failed to determine current directory");
            return 1;
        }
    };
@@ -54,11 +52,11 @@ pub fn lint(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
    let root = match find_project_root(&start_dir) {
        Ok(Some(r)) => r,
        Ok(None) => {
-            error("dcr.toml not found");
+            error!("dcr.toml not found");
            return 1;
        }
        Err(_) => {
-            error("Failed to find project root");
+            error!("Failed to find project root");
            return 1;
        }
    };
@@ -66,7 +64,7 @@ pub fn lint(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
    let config = match Config::open(&root.join("dcr.toml").to_string_lossy()) {
        Ok(c) => c,
        Err(e) => {
-            error(&format!("Failed to load dcr.toml: {e}"));
+            error!("Failed to load dcr.toml: {e}");
            return 1;
        }
    };
@@ -98,7 +96,7 @@ pub fn lint(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
        match common::collect_sources(&roots, &cxx_extensions, &exclude_dirs, &include_paths) {
            Ok(f) => f,
            Err(e) => {
-                error(&format!("Failed to collect source files: {e}"));
+                error!("Failed to collect source files: {e}");
                return 1;
            }
        };
@@ -116,15 +114,17 @@ pub fn lint(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
    files.sort();

    if files.is_empty() {
-        println!("    {} No files to lint", colored("Lint", BOLD_GREEN));
+        crate::utils::output::status("Lint", "no files to lint");
        return 0;
    }

-    println!(
-        "    {} {} files {}",
-        colored("Linting", BOLD_GREEN),
-        files.len(),
-        if do_fix { "(with --fix)" } else { "" }
+    crate::utils::output::status(
+        "Linting",
+        format!(
+            "{} files {}",
+            files.len(),
+            if do_fix { "(with --fix)" } else { "" }
+        ),
    );

    let mut total_issues = 0u32;
@@ -142,7 +142,7 @@ pub fn lint(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
        let output = match cmd.output() {
            Ok(o) => o,
            Err(e) => {
-                error(&format!("Failed to execute clang-tidy: {}", e));
+                error!("Failed to execute clang-tidy: {e}");
                return 1;
            }
        };
@@ -160,14 +160,12 @@ pub fn lint(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
        if issue_count > 0 {
            total_issues += issue_count as u32;
            failed += 1;
-            print!("  {} ", colored("×", BOLD_YELLOW));
-            println!("{} ({} issues)", file, issue_count);
+            crate::utils::output::warning(format!("{file} ({issue_count} issues)"));
            for issue in &issues {
-                println!("    {}", issue);
+                crate::utils::output::compiler_output("stderr", issue);
            }
        } else {
-            print!("  {} ", colored("✓", BOLD_GREEN));
-            println!("{}", file);
+            crate::utils::output::status("Checked", file);
        }
    }

@@ -175,19 +173,11 @@ pub fn lint(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
    let passed = total - failed as usize;

    if failed == 0 {
-        println!(
-            "    {} {} files, no issues",
-            colored("Lint", BOLD_GREEN),
-            total
-        );
+        crate::utils::output::success(format!("Finished checking {total} files; no issues"));
    } else {
-        println!(
-            "    {} {}/{} files passed, {} issues found",
-            colored("Lint", BOLD_YELLOW),
-            passed,
-            total,
-            total_issues
-        );
+        crate::utils::output::warning(format!(
+            "Finished checking {total} files; {passed} passed, {total_issues} issues found"
+        ));
    }

    0
--- a/src/cli/new.rs
+++ b/src/cli/new.rs
@@ -15,15 +15,13 @@
 // You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
 // along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.

+use crate::prelude::*;
+
 use crate::config::FILE_MAIN_C;
 use crate::core::build_config::{Config, validate_package_name};
 use crate::core::vcs::VcsKind;
 use crate::utils::fs::check_dir;
-use crate::utils::log::{error, warn};
-use crate::utils::text::{BOLD_CYAN, BOLD_GREEN, colored, printc};
-use std::fs;
-use std::io::Write;
-use toml::Value;
+use std::{fs, io::Write};

 /// Executes the `dcr new` command to scaffold a new C/C++ project directory structure.
 ///
@@ -31,12 +29,12 @@ use toml::Value;
 /// template source file generation (`src/main.c`), and initial VCS setup.
 pub fn new(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
    if args.first().is_some_and(|a| a == "--help") {
-        printc("USAGE:", BOLD_GREEN);
-        printc("    dcr new <name> [--vcs <git|none>]", BOLD_CYAN);
-        println!();
-        printc("DESCRIPTION:", BOLD_GREEN);
-        println!("    Creates a new C/C++ project with the given name.");
-        println!("    The name may only contain ASCII letters, digits, '_' and '-'.");
+        let mut help = crate::utils::help::HelpBuilder::new("dcr new");
+        help.section("USAGE")
+            .example("dcr new <name> [--vcs <git|none>]");
+        help.description("Creates a new C/C++ project with the given name.")
+            .note("The name may only contain ASCII letters, digits, '_' and '-'.");
+        help.render();
        return 0;
    }

@@ -51,7 +49,7 @@ pub fn new(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
            if let Some(val) = iter.next() {
                vcs_str = Some(val.clone());
            } else {
-                error("--vcs requires a value");
+                error!("--vcs requires a value");
                return 1;
            }
        } else if let Some(stripped) = arg.strip_prefix("--vcs=") {
@@ -62,96 +60,63 @@ pub fn new(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
    }

    if clean_args.is_empty() {
-        error("Project name not specified");
+        error!("Project name not specified");
        return 1;
    }
    if clean_args.len() > 1 {
-        warn("Command does not support additional arguments");
+        warn!("Command does not support additional arguments");
        return 1;
    }

    let project_name = &clean_args[0];
-    println!(
-        "Creating a Project `{}`...",
-        colored(project_name, BOLD_CYAN)
-    );
-
    if let Err(e) = validate_package_name(project_name) {
-        error(&format!(
-            "Invalid project name `{}`: {}",
-            colored(project_name, BOLD_CYAN),
-            e
-        ));
+        error!("Invalid project name `{}`: {e}", project_name,);
        return 1;
    }

    if items.contains(project_name) {
-        error(&format!(
-            "Directory `{}` already exists\n",
-            colored(project_name, BOLD_CYAN)
-        ));
-        printc("Hint:", BOLD_CYAN);
-        println!(
+        error!("Directory `{}` already exists", project_name);
+        crate::utils::output::info(format!(
            "    Use `{}` to initialize an existing project\n    or specify a different project name",
-            colored("dcr init", BOLD_CYAN)
-        );
+            "dcr init"
+        ));
        return 1;
    }

+    crate::utils::output::status("Creating", format!("project `{project_name}`"));
+
    if fs::create_dir(project_name).is_err() {
-        error("Failed to create directory");
+        error!("Failed to create directory");
        return 1;
    }
-    println!(
-        "    {} Directory created {}",
-        colored("✔", BOLD_GREEN),
-        project_name
-    );
+    crate::utils::output::created(format!("directory `{project_name}`"));

    // Initialize and write project configuration manifest (dcr.toml).
    let toml_path = format!("./{project_name}/dcr.toml");
-    let mut config = match Config::new(&toml_path) {
-        Ok(cfg) => cfg,
-        Err(_) => {
-            error("Failed to create dcr.toml");
-            return 1;
-        }
-    };
-    if config
-        .edit("package.name", Value::String(project_name.to_string()))
-        .is_err()
-    {
-        error("Failed to write dcr.toml");
+    if Config::create(&toml_path, Some(project_name)).is_err() {
+        error!("Failed to create dcr.toml");
        return 1;
    }
-    println!(
-        "    {} Created file {}",
-        colored("✔", BOLD_GREEN),
-        colored("dcr.toml", BOLD_CYAN)
-    );
+    crate::utils::output::created("dcr.toml");

    // Generate src directory and populate initial main.c file.
    if fs::create_dir_all(format!("./{project_name}/src")).is_err() {
-        error("Failed to create src/");
+        error!("Failed to create src/");
        return 1;
    }
    let main_c_path = format!("./{project_name}/src/main.c");
    let mut main_c = match fs::File::create(&main_c_path) {
        Ok(file) => file,
        Err(_) => {
-            error("Failed to create src/main.c");
+            error!("Failed to create src/main.c");
            return 1;
        }
    };
    if main_c.write_all(FILE_MAIN_C.as_bytes()).is_err() {
-        error("Failed to write src/main.c");
+        error!("Failed to write src/main.c");
        return 1;
    }
-    println!(
-        "    {} Created file {}",
-        colored("✔", BOLD_GREEN),
-        colored("src/main.c", BOLD_CYAN)
-    );
+    crate::utils::output::created("src/main.c");

    // Resolve target VCS mode based on CLI flags or parent directory state.
    let mut vcs_kind = VcsKind::Git;
@@ -159,7 +124,8 @@ pub fn new(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
        match VcsKind::parse(vcs_val) {
            Ok(kind) => vcs_kind = kind,
            Err(e) => {
-                error(&e);
+                error!("{e}");
+
                return 1;
            }
        }
@@ -173,15 +139,12 @@ pub fn new(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
        if crate::utils::git::is_git_available() {
            let project_path = std::path::Path::new(project_name);
            if let Err(e) = crate::core::vcs::init_vcs(vcs_kind, project_path) {
-                warn(&format!("Failed to initialize git repository: {}", e));
+                warn!("Failed to initialize git repository: {e}");
            } else {
-                println!(
-                    "    {} Initialized git repository",
-                    colored("✔", BOLD_GREEN)
-                );
+                crate::utils::output::success("Initialized git repository");
            }
        } else {
-            warn(
+            warn!(
                "Git is not installed or not found in PATH. Skipping Git repository initialization.",
            );
        }
@@ -189,14 +152,10 @@ pub fn new(args: &[String]) -> i32 {

    let project_path = std::path::Path::new(project_name);
    if let Err(e) = crate::utils::fs::ensure_gitignore_has_dcr(project_path) {
-        warn(&format!("Failed to update .gitignore: {e}"));
+        warn!("Failed to update .gitignore: {e}");
    }

-    println!(
-        "Project `{}` successfully created\n",
-        colored(project_name, BOLD_GREEN)
-    );
-    printc("Next step:", BOLD_GREEN);
-    printc(&format!("    cd {}\n    dcr run", project_name), BOLD_CYAN);
+    crate::utils::output::success(format!("Created project `{project_name}`"));
+    crate::utils::output::info(format!("Next steps:\n  cd {project_name}\n  dcr run"));
    0
 }
--- a/src/cli/run.rs
+++ b/src/cli/run.rs
@@ -15,17 +15,15 @@
 // You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
 // along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.

+use crate::prelude::*;
+
 use crate::cli::build::build;
 use crate::cli::flags::parse_build_run_flags;
 use crate::core::build_config::Config;
 use crate::core::runner::run_binary;
 use crate::utils::build::{normalize_target_os, parse_version_info, substitute_vars};
-use crate::utils::fs::find_project_root;
-use crate::utils::fs::with_dir;
-use crate::utils::log::error;
-use crate::utils::text::{BOLD_CYAN, BOLD_GREEN, colored, printc};
-use std::path::Path;
-use std::process::Command;
+use crate::utils::fs::{find_project_root, with_dir};
+use std::{path::Path, process::Command};

 /// Retrieves the run command from the config, preferring target-specific,
 /// then profile-specific, then the base `run.cmd`.
@@ -67,42 +65,37 @@ fn get_run_cmd(
 /// Process exit code from the built binary / `run.cmd`, or non-zero on build/setup failure.
 pub fn run(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
    if args.first().is_some_and(|a| a == "--help") {
-        printc("USAGE:", BOLD_GREEN);
-        printc(
-            "    dcr run [--debug | --release] [--target <triple>] [--force] [--clean] [--verbose] [-- <args>...]",
-            BOLD_CYAN,
-        );
-        println!();
-        printc("DESCRIPTION:", BOLD_GREEN);
-        println!("    Builds and runs the project. Only available for kind = \"bin\".");
-        println!("    Arguments after `--` are passed to the built binary (cargo-style).");
-        println!();
-        printc("OPTIONS:", BOLD_GREEN);
-        println!("    --debug              Run with debug profile (default)");
-        println!("    --release            Run with release profile");
-        println!("    --target <triple>    Cross-compile for the given target");
-        println!("    --force              Force a full rebuild");
-        println!("    --clean              Clean before building");
-        println!("    --verbose            Print detailed build output");
-        println!("    -- <args>...         Arguments forwarded to the binary");
+        let mut help = crate::utils::help::HelpBuilder::new("dcr run");
+        help.section("USAGE").example("dcr run [--debug | --release] [--target <triple>] [--force] [--clean] [--verbose] [-- <args>...]");
+        help.description("Builds and runs the project. Only available for kind = \"bin\".")
+            .note("Arguments after `--` are passed to the built binary (cargo-style).");
+        help.section("OPTIONS")
+            .item("--debug", "Run with debug profile (default)")
+            .item("--release", "Run with release profile")
+            .item("--target <triple>", "Cross-compile for the given target")
+            .item("--force", "Force a full rebuild")
+            .item("--clean", "Clean before building")
+            .item("--verbose", "Print detailed build output")
+            .item("-- <args>...", "Arguments forwarded to the binary");
+        help.render();
        return 0;
    }

    let start_dir = match std::env::current_dir() {
        Ok(dir) => dir,
        Err(_) => {
-            error("Failed to determine current directory");
+            error!("Failed to determine current directory");
            return 1;
        }
    };
    let root = match find_project_root(&start_dir) {
        Ok(Some(dir)) => dir,
        Ok(None) => {
-            error("dcr.toml file not found");
+            error!("dcr.toml file not found");
            return 1;
        }
        Err(_) => {
-            error("Failed to find project root");
+            error!("Failed to find project root");
            return 1;
        }
    };
@@ -111,7 +104,8 @@ pub fn run(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
    }) {
        Ok(cfg) => cfg,
        Err(err) => {
-            error(&err);
+            error!("{err}");
+
            return 1;
        }
    };
@@ -125,11 +119,7 @@ pub fn run(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
            let build_status = build(&args_for_build(&flags));
            if build_status == 0 {
                let display = display_run_cmd(&cmd, &flags.bin_args);
-                println!(
-                    "  {} {}",
-                    colored(&format!("{:<9}", "run"), BOLD_GREEN),
-                    display
-                );
+                crate::utils::output::status("run", display);
                return run_shell_with_args(&cmd, &flags.bin_args);
            }
            return build_status;
@@ -143,11 +133,12 @@ pub fn run(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
        ) {
            Ok(Some(ws)) => ws,
            Ok(None) => {
-                error("Workspace root has no members defined");
+                error!("Workspace root has no members defined");
                return 1;
            }
            Err(e) => {
-                error(&e);
+                error!("{e}");
+
                return 1;
            }
        };
@@ -159,9 +150,9 @@ pub fn run(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
            Some(m) => m,
            None => {
                if let Some(name) = &flags.workspace {
-                    error(&format!("Workspace member '{name}' not found"));
+                    error!("Workspace member '{name}' not found");
                } else {
-                    error("No workspace member to run (set `main = true` on one member)");
+                    error!("No workspace member to run (set `main = true` on one member)");
                }
                return 1;
            }
@@ -172,7 +163,8 @@ pub fn run(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
        }) {
            Ok(code) => code,
            Err(e) => {
-                error(&e);
+                error!("{e}");
+
                1
            }
        };
@@ -181,7 +173,7 @@ pub fn run(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
    match run_project(&root, &flags, None) {
        Ok(code) => code,
        Err(e) => {
-            error(&e);
+            error!("{e}");
            1
        }
    }
@@ -263,19 +255,11 @@ fn run_project(
    if build_status == 0 {
        if let Some(cmd) = run_cmd {
            let display = display_run_cmd(&cmd, &flags.bin_args);
-            println!(
-                "  {} {}",
-                colored(&format!("{:<9}", "run"), BOLD_GREEN),
-                display
-            );
+            crate::utils::output::status("run", display);
            return Ok(run_shell_with_args(&cmd, &flags.bin_args));
        }
        let display = display_bin_run(&bin_path, &flags.bin_args);
-        println!(
-            "  {} {}",
-            colored(&format!("{:<9}", "run"), BOLD_GREEN),
-            display
-        );
+        crate::utils::output::status("run", display);
        return Ok(run_binary(
            project_name,
            &flags.profile,
--- a/src/cli/setup.rs
+++ b/src/cli/setup.rs
@@ -15,32 +15,31 @@
 // You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
 // along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.

-use crate::utils::text::{BOLD_CYAN, BOLD_GREEN, printc};
-
 /// Sets up DCR registries by loading the registry manager and printing the list of registries.
 pub fn setup(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
    if args.first().is_some_and(|a| a == "--help") {
-        printc("USAGE:", BOLD_GREEN);
-        printc("    dcr setup", BOLD_CYAN);
-        println!();
-        printc("DESCRIPTION:", BOLD_GREEN);
-        println!("    Sets up DCR registries. Downloads and indexes");
-        println!("    package registries for dependency resolution.");
+        let mut help = crate::utils::help::HelpBuilder::new("dcr setup");
+        help.section("USAGE").example("dcr setup");
+        help.description("Show configured package registries and their priorities.");
+        help.render();
        return 0;
    }

-    println!("Setting up DCR registries...");
    // Load and process the registries, returning 0 on success or 1 on error
    match crate::core::registry::RegistryManager::load() {
        Ok(manager) => {
-            println!("Loaded {} registries.", manager.config.registry.len());
+            let mut lines = vec![format!(
+                "Loaded {} registries (configured)",
+                manager.config.registry.len()
+            )];
            for (name, reg) in manager.config.registry {
-                println!("- {}: {} (priority {})", name, reg.url, reg.priority);
+                lines.push(format!("  {name}: {} (priority {})", reg.url, reg.priority));
            }
+            crate::say!("{}", lines.join("\n"));
            0
        }
        Err(e) => {
-            println!("Error: {}", e);
+            crate::utils::output::error!("{e}");
            1
        }
    }
--- a/src/cli/test.rs
+++ b/src/cli/test.rs
@@ -15,6 +15,8 @@
 // You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
 // along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.

+use crate::prelude::*;
+
 use crate::cli::build;
 use crate::config::{FILE_DCR_TEST_H, FILE_TEST_C, flags};
 use crate::core::build_config::Config;
@@ -23,33 +25,29 @@ use crate::utils::build::{
    get_string_with_profile, resolve_compiler, resolve_pkg_config_flags,
 };
 use crate::utils::fs::{find_project_root, with_dir};
-use crate::utils::log::error;
-use crate::utils::text::{BOLD_CYAN, BOLD_GREEN, BOLD_RED, RESET, colored, printc};
 use std::fs;
 use std::path::{Path, PathBuf};
 use std::process::Command;

-const BOLD_BLUE: &str = "\x1b[1m\x1b[94m";
-
 /// Runs project tests and prints a unified testsuite report.
 pub fn test(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
    let mut init_header = false;
    let mut profile = "debug";
    for arg in args {
        if arg == "--help" {
-            printc("USAGE:", BOLD_GREEN);
-            printc("    dcr test [--init] [--debug | --release]", BOLD_CYAN);
-            println!();
-            printc("ALIASES:", BOLD_GREEN);
-            println!("    dcr tests");
-            println!();
-            printc("DESCRIPTION:", BOLD_GREEN);
-            println!("    Runs project tests and prints a unified testsuite report.");
-            println!();
-            printc("OPTIONS:", BOLD_GREEN);
-            println!("    --init            Create tests/dcr_test.h in current project");
-            println!("    --debug           Build and run tests with debug profile (default)");
-            println!("    --release         Build and run tests with release profile");
+            let mut help = crate::utils::help::HelpBuilder::new("dcr test");
+            help.section("USAGE")
+                .example("dcr test [--init] [--debug | --release]");
+            help.section("ALIASES").example("dcr tests");
+            help.description("Runs project tests and prints a unified testsuite report.");
+            help.section("OPTIONS")
+                .item("--init", "Create tests/dcr_test.h in current project")
+                .item(
+                    "--debug",
+                    "Build and run tests with debug profile (default)",
+                )
+                .item("--release", "Build and run tests with release profile");
+            help.render();
            return 0;
        }
        if arg == "--init" {
@@ -60,25 +58,25 @@ pub fn test(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
            profile = arg.trim_start_matches("--");
            continue;
        }
-        error("Unknown argument");
+        error!("Unknown argument");
        return 1;
    }

    let start_dir = match std::env::current_dir() {
        Ok(dir) => dir,
        Err(_) => {
-            error("Failed to determine current directory");
+            error!("Failed to determine current directory");
            return 1;
        }
    };
    let root = match find_project_root(&start_dir) {
        Ok(Some(dir)) => dir,
        Ok(None) => {
-            error("dcr.toml file not found");
+            error!("dcr.toml file not found");
            return 1;
        }
        Err(_) => {
-            error("Failed to find project root");
+            error!("Failed to find project root");
            return 1;
        }
    };
@@ -87,7 +85,8 @@ pub fn test(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
        match with_dir(&root, ensure_test_header) {
            Ok(()) => {}
            Err(msg) => {
-                error(&msg);
+                error!("{msg}");
+
                return 1;
            }
        }
@@ -96,7 +95,7 @@ pub fn test(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
    match with_dir(&root, || run_testsuite(profile)) {
        Ok(code) => code,
        Err(msg) => {
-            error(&msg);
+            error!("{msg}");
            1
        }
    }
@@ -134,8 +133,12 @@ fn run_testsuite(profile: &str) -> Result<i32, String> {
    cflags.extend(get_list_with_profile(&config, "cflags", profile));
    let ldflags = get_list_with_profile(&config, "ldflags", profile);
    let pkg_configs = get_list_with_profile(&config, "pkg_config", profile);
-    let (cflags, ldflags) = resolve_pkg_config_flags(&pkg_configs, &cflags, &ldflags)?;
-    let includes = test_include_dirs(&config, profile);
+    let (mut cflags, mut ldflags) = resolve_pkg_config_flags(&pkg_configs, &cflags, &ldflags)?;
+    let deps = crate::core::deps::resolve_deps(&config, profile, None, Path::new("."))?;
+    cflags.extend(deps.cflags);
+    ldflags.extend(deps.ldflags);
+    let mut includes = test_include_dirs(&config, profile);
+    includes.extend(deps.include_dirs);
    let test_sources = collect_test_sources()?;
    if test_sources.is_empty() {
        return Err("tests/test.c not found; run 'dcr test --init' first".to_string());
@@ -174,7 +177,7 @@ fn run_testsuite(profile: &str) -> Result<i32, String> {
        stdout.push_str(&String::from_utf8_lossy(&out.stdout));
        let stderr = String::from_utf8_lossy(&out.stderr);
        if !stderr.trim().is_empty() {
-            eprint!("{}", stderr);
+            crate::utils::output::compiler_output("stderr", &stderr);
        }
        if !out.status.success() {
            suite_success = false;
@@ -189,19 +192,19 @@ fn run_testsuite(profile: &str) -> Result<i32, String> {
    for line in stdout.lines() {
        let line = line.trim();
        if let Some(name) = line.strip_prefix("[PASS] ") {
-            println!("{} {}", colored("[PASS]", BOLD_GREEN), name);
+            crate::utils::output::success(format!("Passed {name}"));
            pass += 1;
            parsed_any = true;
            continue;
        }
        if let Some(name) = line.strip_prefix("[SKIP] ") {
-            println!("{} {}", colored("[SKIP]", BOLD_BLUE), name);
+            crate::utils::output::status("Skipped", name);
            skip += 1;
            parsed_any = true;
            continue;
        }
        if let Some(name) = line.strip_prefix("[FAIL] ") {
-            println!("{} {}", colored("[FAIL]", BOLD_RED), name);
+            crate::utils::output::error(format!("Failed {name}"));
            fail += 1;
            parsed_any = true;
            continue;
@@ -209,17 +212,17 @@ fn run_testsuite(profile: &str) -> Result<i32, String> {
        if let Some((status, name)) = line.split_once('\t') {
            match status {
                "PASS" => {
-                    println!("{} {}", colored("[PASS]", BOLD_GREEN), name);
+                    crate::utils::output::success(format!("Passed {name}"));
                    pass += 1;
                    parsed_any = true;
                }
                "SKIP" => {
-                    println!("{} {}", colored("[SKIP]", BOLD_BLUE), name);
+                    crate::utils::output::status("Skipped", name);
                    skip += 1;
                    parsed_any = true;
                }
                "FAIL" => {
-                    println!("{} {}", colored("[FAIL]", BOLD_RED), name);
+                    crate::utils::output::error(format!("Failed {name}"));
                    fail += 1;
                    parsed_any = true;
                }
@@ -231,11 +234,11 @@ fn run_testsuite(profile: &str) -> Result<i32, String> {
    if !parsed_any {
        if suite_success {
            for name in &declared {
-                println!("{} {}", colored("[PASS]", BOLD_GREEN), name);
+                crate::utils::output::success(format!("Passed {name}"));
            }
            pass = declared.len() as i32;
        } else {
-            println!("{} testsuite", colored("[FAIL]", BOLD_RED));
+            crate::utils::output::error("testsuite failed");
            fail = 1;
        }
    }
@@ -246,15 +249,10 @@ fn run_testsuite(profile: &str) -> Result<i32, String> {
        declared.len() as i32
    };

-    println!();
-    println!("{}", colored("=====================", BOLD_GREEN));
-    println!("{}", colored("  Testsuite summary  ", BOLD_GREEN));
-    println!("{}", colored("=====================", BOLD_GREEN));
-    println!("TOTAL: {}", total);
-    print_field("PASS", pass, BOLD_GREEN);
-    print_field("SKIP", skip, BOLD_BLUE);
-    print_field("FAIL", fail, BOLD_RED);
-    println!("{}", colored("=====================", BOLD_GREEN));
+    crate::utils::output::status(
+        "test result:",
+        format!("{pass} passed; {fail} failed; {skip} skipped; {total} total"),
+    );

    if fail > 0 || !suite_success {
        return Ok(1);
@@ -352,10 +350,10 @@ fn link_test_binary(
 /// Prints the stdout and stderr from a command execution.
 fn print_command_output(output: &std::process::Output) {
    if !output.stdout.is_empty() {
-        print!("{}", String::from_utf8_lossy(&output.stdout));
+        crate::utils::output::write_stdout(&format!("{}", String::from_utf8_lossy(&output.stdout)));
    }
    if !output.stderr.is_empty() {
-        eprint!("{}", String::from_utf8_lossy(&output.stderr));
+        crate::utils::output::compiler_output("stderr", &String::from_utf8_lossy(&output.stderr));
    }
 }

@@ -364,10 +362,10 @@ fn ensure_test_header() -> Result<(), String> {
    fs::create_dir_all("./tests").map_err(|_| "Failed to create tests/".to_string())?;
    fs::write("./tests/dcr_test.h", FILE_DCR_TEST_H)
        .map_err(|_| "Failed to write tests/dcr_test.h".to_string())?;
-    println!("Created tests/dcr_test.h");
+    crate::utils::output::created("tests/dcr_test.h");
    fs::write("./tests/test.c", FILE_TEST_C)
        .map_err(|_| "Failed to write tests/test.c".to_string())?;
-    println!("Created tests/test.c");
+    crate::utils::output::created("tests/test.c");
    Ok(())
 }

@@ -387,12 +385,3 @@ fn extract_test_names_path(path: &Path) -> Vec<String> {
    }
    names
 }
-
-/// Prints a test result field with color coding.
-fn print_field(label: &str, value: i32, color: &str) {
-    if value == 0 {
-        println!("{}:  {}", label, value);
-    } else {
-        println!("{}{}:  {}{}", color, label, value, RESET);
-    }
-}
--- a/src/cli/tree.rs
+++ b/src/cli/tree.rs
@@ -15,9 +15,9 @@
 // You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
 // along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.

+use crate::prelude::*;
+
 use crate::core::build_config::Config;
-use crate::utils::log::error;
-use crate::utils::text::{BOLD_CYAN, BOLD_GREEN, printc};
 use std::collections::HashSet;
 use std::path::{Path, PathBuf};
 use toml::Value;
@@ -28,11 +28,10 @@ use toml::Value;
 /// Otherwise, it parses the dcr.toml configuration and prints the dependency tree.
 pub fn tree(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
    if args.first().is_some_and(|a| a == "--help") {
-        printc("USAGE:", BOLD_GREEN);
-        printc("    dcr tree", BOLD_CYAN);
-        println!();
-        printc("DESCRIPTION:", BOLD_GREEN);
-        println!("    Displays the dependency tree of the current project.");
+        let mut help = crate::utils::help::HelpBuilder::new("dcr tree");
+        help.section("USAGE").example("dcr tree");
+        help.description("Displays the dependency tree of the current project.");
+        help.render();
        return 0;
    }

@@ -40,7 +39,7 @@ pub fn tree(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
    let config = match Config::open("dcr.toml") {
        Ok(c) => c,
        Err(_) => {
-            error("dcr.toml not found in current directory");
+            error!("dcr.toml not found in current directory");
            return 1;
        }
    };
@@ -54,7 +53,7 @@ pub fn tree(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
        .and_then(|v| v.as_str())
        .unwrap_or("0.0.0");

-    printc(&format!("{} v{}", name, version), BOLD_CYAN);
+    crate::utils::output::write_stdout_raw(&format!("{} v{}\n", name, version));

    let mut seen = HashSet::new();
    seen.insert(name.to_string());
@@ -115,6 +114,19 @@ fn print_deps(
                        format!(" v{}", v)
                    } else if let Some(git) = t.get("git").and_then(|v| v.as_str()) {
                        format!(" ({})", git)
+                    } else if let Some(pkg) = t.get("pkg-config").or_else(|| t.get("pkg_config")) {
+                        if let Some(s) = pkg.as_str() {
+                            format!(" (pkg-config: {})", s)
+                        } else if let Some(arr) = pkg.as_array() {
+                            let names = arr
+                                .iter()
+                                .filter_map(|v| v.as_str())
+                                .collect::<Vec<_>>()
+                                .join(", ");
+                            format!(" (pkg-config: {})", names)
+                        } else {
+                            "".to_string()
+                        }
                    } else {
                        "".to_string()
                    }
@@ -123,7 +135,10 @@ fn print_deps(
            };
        }

-        println!("{}{}{}{}", prefix, connector, name, version);
+        crate::utils::output::write_stdout_raw(&format!(
+            "{}{}{}{}\n",
+            prefix, connector, name, version
+        ));

        // Recurse only if sub-dependencies exist and this dep hasn't been seen
        if let Some(s_deps) = sub_deps
--- a/src/core/build/builder/artifact.rs
+++ b/src/core/build/builder/artifact.rs
@@ -15,8 +15,7 @@
 // You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
 // along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.

-use crate::core::build::builder::BuildContext;
-use crate::core::build::common;
+use crate::core::build::{builder::BuildContext, common};
 use crate::platform;
 use crate::utils::build::is_bare_metal_target;
 use std::path::{Path, PathBuf};
--- a/src/core/build/builder/cc_common.rs
+++ b/src/core/build/builder/cc_common.rs
@@ -15,9 +15,7 @@
 // You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
 // along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.

-use crate::core::build::builder::BuildContext;
-use crate::core::build::builder::artifact;
-use crate::core::build::common;
+use crate::core::build::{builder::BuildContext, builder::artifact, common};
 use crate::utils::build::{is_bare_metal_target, is_compile_only, is_flat_bin};
 use std::fs;
 use std::path::{Path, PathBuf};
--- a/src/core/build/builder/msvc/mod.rs
+++ b/src/core/build/builder/msvc/mod.rs
@@ -20,15 +20,10 @@
 /// This module provides the MSVC-specific build implementation for C and C++
 /// projects, including object compilation and linking for executables, static
 /// libraries, shared libraries, and flat binaries.
-use crate::core::build::builder::BuildContext;
-use crate::core::build::builder::artifact;
-use crate::core::build::common;
+use crate::core::build::{builder::BuildContext, builder::artifact, common};
 use crate::platform;
 use crate::utils::build::{is_compile_only, is_flat_bin};
-use std::fs;
-use std::path::Path;
-use std::process::Command;
-use std::time::Instant;
+use std::{fs, path::Path, process::Command, time::Instant};

 /// Builds the project target using the MSVC compiler.
 pub fn build(ctx: &BuildContext) -> Result<f64, String> {
--- a/src/core/build/cache.rs
+++ b/src/core/build/cache.rs
@@ -15,8 +15,7 @@
 // You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
 // along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.

-use crate::core::build::builder::BuildContext;
-use crate::core::build::common;
+use crate::core::build::{builder::BuildContext, common};
 use sha2::{Digest, Sha256};
 use std::fs;
 use std::path::{Path, PathBuf};
--- a/src/core/build/engine.rs
+++ b/src/core/build/engine.rs
@@ -609,10 +609,14 @@ fn build_project_at_inner(
        tc_as.as_deref(),
    );
    let resolved_linker = resolve_tool("DCR_LD", tc_ld.as_deref());
-    prepend_clang_target_flag(&mut build_cflags, build_target, &resolved_compiler);
+    // The host triple is still used for native target-specific configuration and
+    // artifact paths, but native Clang must select the platform SDK implicitly.
+    // Pass --target only when the user/config explicitly requested a target.
+    let compiler_target = if explicit_target { build_target } else { None };
+    prepend_clang_target_flag(&mut build_cflags, compiler_target, &resolved_compiler);
    prepend_clang_target_flag(
        &mut build_ldflags,
-        build_target,
+        compiler_target,
        resolved_linker.as_deref().unwrap_or(&resolved_compiler),
    );
    let resolved_archiver = resolve_tool("DCR_AR", tc_ar.as_deref());
@@ -769,8 +773,10 @@ fn build_project_at_inner(
        )?;
    }

-    let (resolved_cflags, resolved_ldflags) =
+    let (mut resolved_cflags, mut resolved_ldflags) =
        resolve_pkg_config_flags(&pkg_configs, &build_cflags, &build_ldflags)?;
+    resolved_cflags.extend(resolved.cflags.clone());
+    resolved_ldflags.extend(resolved.ldflags.clone());
    let mut combined_excludes = Vec::new();
    for dir in exclude_dirs {
        combined_excludes.push(dir.clone());
@@ -1011,6 +1017,8 @@ fn extend_transitive_link_deps(
    consumer_deps.include_dirs.extend(deps.include_dirs);
    consumer_deps.lib_dirs.extend(deps.lib_dirs);
    consumer_deps.libs.extend(deps.libs);
+    consumer_deps.cflags.extend(deps.cflags);
+    consumer_deps.ldflags.extend(deps.ldflags);
    for child_root in deps.package_roots {
        extend_transitive_link_deps(
            Path::new(&child_root),
--- a/src/core/build/language/asm/common.rs
+++ b/src/core/build/language/asm/common.rs
@@ -1,9 +1,6 @@
-use crate::core::build::builder::BuildContext;
-use crate::core::build::builder::artifact;
-use crate::core::build::common;
+use crate::core::build::{builder::BuildContext, builder::artifact, common};
 use crate::utils::build::{is_compile_only, is_flat_bin};
-use std::path::Path;
-use std::time::Instant;
+use std::{path::Path, time::Instant};

 /// Keeps only assembler-relevant flags from a cflags list.
 ///
--- a/src/core/build/language/asm/fasm/mod.rs
+++ b/src/core/build/language/asm/fasm/mod.rs
@@ -1,9 +1,6 @@
-use crate::core::build::builder::BuildContext;
-use crate::core::build::common;
 use crate::core::build::language::asm::common as asm;
-use std::fs;
-use std::path::Path;
-use std::process::Command;
+use crate::core::build::{builder::BuildContext, common};
+use std::{fs, path::Path, process::Command};

 /// Builds an assembly file using the FASM assembler.
 ///
--- a/src/core/build/language/asm/gas/mod.rs
+++ b/src/core/build/language/asm/gas/mod.rs
@@ -15,12 +15,9 @@
 // You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
 // along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.

-use crate::core::build::builder::BuildContext;
-use crate::core::build::common;
 use crate::core::build::language::asm::common as asm;
-use std::fs;
-use std::path::Path;
-use std::process::Command;
+use crate::core::build::{builder::BuildContext, common};
+use std::{fs, path::Path, process::Command};

 /// Builds GAS (`.s`) sources via the GNU Assembler.
 ///
--- a/src/core/build/language/asm/masm/mod.rs
+++ b/src/core/build/language/asm/masm/mod.rs
@@ -1,9 +1,6 @@
-use crate::core::build::builder::BuildContext;
-use crate::core::build::common;
 use crate::core::build::language::asm::common as asm;
-use std::fs;
-use std::path::Path;
-use std::process::Command;
+use crate::core::build::{builder::BuildContext, common};
+use std::{fs, path::Path, process::Command};

 /// Builds MASM (`.asm`) sources via `ml`.
 ///
--- a/src/core/build/language/asm/nasm/mod.rs
+++ b/src/core/build/language/asm/nasm/mod.rs
@@ -16,12 +16,9 @@
 // along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.

 /// Support for NASM assembly language in the DCR build system.
-use crate::core::build::builder::BuildContext;
-use crate::core::build::common;
 use crate::core::build::language::asm::common as asm;
-use std::fs;
-use std::path::Path;
-use std::process::Command;
+use crate::core::build::{builder::BuildContext, common};
+use std::{fs, path::Path, process::Command};

 /// Builds assembly sources using the NASM assembler.
 ///
--- a/src/core/build/language/cxx/qt.rs
+++ b/src/core/build/language/cxx/qt.rs
@@ -15,8 +15,7 @@
 // You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
 // along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.

-use crate::core::build::builder::BuildContext;
-use crate::core::build::common;
+use crate::core::{build::builder::BuildContext, build::common};
 use crate::utils::build::run_pkg_config;
 use std::fs;
 use std::path::{Path, PathBuf};
--- a/src/core/build/language/llvm_ir/mod.rs
+++ b/src/core/build/language/llvm_ir/mod.rs
@@ -1,10 +1,6 @@
-use crate::core::build::builder::BuildContext;
-use crate::core::build::common;
-use crate::core::build::language::Language;
 use crate::core::build::language::asm::common as asm;
-use std::fs;
-use std::path::Path;
-use std::process::Command;
+use crate::core::build::{builder::BuildContext, common, language::Language};
+use std::{fs, path::Path, process::Command};

 /// Represents the LLVM IR language implementation for the build system.
 pub struct LlvmIr;
--- a/src/core/build/steps.rs
+++ b/src/core/build/steps.rs
@@ -15,8 +15,7 @@
 // You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
 // along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.

-use crate::core::build::engine::ToolchainExecs;
-use crate::core::build_config::Config;
+use crate::core::{build::engine::ToolchainExecs, build_config::Config};
 use crate::utils::build::{VersionInfo, profile_table, substitute_vars};
 use glob::glob;
 use std::fs;
--- a/src/core/build_config.rs
+++ b/src/core/build_config.rs
@@ -15,12 +15,13 @@
 // You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
 // along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.

+use crate::prelude::*;
+
 use serde::Deserialize;
 use std::collections::BTreeMap;
 use std::fs;
 use std::path::{Path, PathBuf};
-use toml::Value;
-use toml::map::Map;
+use toml::{Value, map::Map};
 use toml_edit::{DocumentMut, Item, Table};

 const DEFAULT_VERSION: &str = "0.1.0";
@@ -244,13 +245,19 @@ pub struct WorkspaceMemberConfig {
 }

 impl Config {
+    #[allow(dead_code)]
    /// Creates a new Config instance from a TOML file path. If the file does not exist, it creates a default one.
    pub fn new(path: &str) -> Result<Self, ConfigError> {
+        Self::create(path, None)
+    }
+
+    /// Creates a new Config instance with an explicit package name for the default template when creating a new file.
+    pub fn create(path: &str, package_name: Option<&str>) -> Result<Self, ConfigError> {
        let path = PathBuf::from(path);
        let (data, doc) = if path.exists() {
            load_parts(&path)?
        } else {
-            let content = default_toml_text();
+            let content = default_toml_text(package_name)?;
            let doc: DocumentMut = content.parse().map_err(ConfigError::TomlEdit)?;
            fs::write(&path, doc.to_string())?;
            let data: Value = toml::from_str(&content)?;
@@ -328,35 +335,35 @@ impl Config {
            .map(str::trim)
            .filter(|s| !s.is_empty());
        let Some(required) = required else {
-            crate::utils::log::warn(&format!(
+            warn!(
                "package.dcr-version is missing in {}. Add e.g. dcr-version = \"{tool}\" \
-                 so collaborators know which dcr this project targets \
-                 (written automatically by `dcr new` / `dcr init`).",
-                self.path.display()
-            ));
+             so collaborators know which dcr this project targets \
+             (written automatically by `dcr new` / `dcr init`).",
+                self.path.display(),
+            );
            return;
        };

        match crate::utils::build::compare_semver(tool, required) {
            Some(std::cmp::Ordering::Less) => {
-                crate::utils::log::warn(&format!(
+                warn!(
                    "this project requires dcr {required} (package.dcr-version), \
                     but you are running dcr {tool}. Some features may be missing or misbehave. \
                     Upgrade dcr (e.g. `dcr --update`) or lower package.dcr-version if intentional."
-                ));
+                );
            }
            Some(std::cmp::Ordering::Greater) => {
-                crate::utils::log::warn(&format!(
+                warn!(
                    "this project pins dcr {required} (package.dcr-version), \
-                     but you are running newer dcr {tool}. Config/defaults may be outdated. \
-                     Review the changelog and bump package.dcr-version when the project is verified."
-                ));
+                 but you are running newer dcr {tool}. Config/defaults may be outdated. \
+                 Review the changelog and bump package.dcr-version when the project is verified.",
+                );
            }
            Some(std::cmp::Ordering::Equal) => {}
            None => {
-                crate::utils::log::warn(&format!(
-                    "package.dcr-version = \"{required}\" is not a valid semver (expected X.Y.Z); ignoring"
-                ));
+                warn!(
+                    "package.dcr-version = \"{required}\" is not a valid semver (expected X.Y.Z); ignoring",
+                );
            }
        }
    }
@@ -830,14 +837,20 @@ fn load_parts(path: &Path) -> Result<(Value, DocumentMut), ConfigError> {
    Ok((data, doc))
 }

-fn default_toml_text() -> String {
-    let name = std::env::current_dir()
-        .ok()
-        .and_then(|p| p.file_name().map(|v| v.to_string_lossy().to_string()))
+fn default_toml_text(package_name: Option<&str>) -> Result<String, ConfigError> {
+    let name = package_name
+        .map(|s| s.to_string())
+        .or_else(|| {
+            std::env::current_dir()
+                .ok()
+                .and_then(|p| p.file_name().map(|v| v.to_string_lossy().to_string()))
+        })
        .unwrap_or_else(|| "project".to_string());
+    validate_non_empty_string(&name, "package.name")?;
+    validate_package_name(&name)?;
    let dcr_version = env!("CARGO_PKG_VERSION");

-    format!(
+    Ok(format!(
        "[package]\n\
         name = \"{name}\"\n\
         version = \"{DEFAULT_VERSION}\"\n\
@@ -854,7 +867,7 @@ fn default_toml_text() -> String {
         kind = \"{DEFAULT_KIND}\"\n\
         \n\
         [dependencies]\n"
-    )
+    ))
 }

 fn dcr_version_warn_once(path_key: &str) -> bool {
@@ -1285,6 +1298,22 @@ mod tests {
        );
    }

+    #[test]
+    fn create_rejects_invalid_name_without_writing_manifest() {
+        let dir = temp_dir("invalid_create_name");
+        let path = dir.join("dcr.toml");
+        for name in ["", "bad name", "../bad", "bad\"name", " bad", "bad."] {
+            let result = Config::create(&path.to_string_lossy(), Some(name));
+            assert!(matches!(result, Err(ConfigError::Invalid(_))), "{name:?}");
+            assert!(!path.exists(), "invalid name must not create a manifest");
+        }
+        let config = Config::create(&path.to_string_lossy(), Some("valid-name")).unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(
+            config.get("package.name").and_then(Value::as_str),
+            Some("valid-name")
+        );
+    }
+
    #[test]
    fn new_creates_default_config() {
        let dir = temp_dir("new_default");
--- a/src/core/deps/common.rs
+++ b/src/core/deps/common.rs
@@ -4,5 +4,7 @@ pub struct ResolvedDeps {
    pub include_dirs: Vec<String>,
    pub lib_dirs: Vec<String>,
    pub libs: Vec<String>,
+    pub cflags: Vec<String>,
+    pub ldflags: Vec<String>,
    pub package_roots: Vec<String>,
 }
--- a/src/core/deps/lock.rs
+++ b/src/core/deps/lock.rs
@@ -15,8 +15,7 @@
 // You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
 // along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.

-use std::fs;
-use std::path::Path;
+use std::{fs, path::Path};

 /// Represents a locked dependency entry containing its name, version, source, and checksum.
 #[derive(Debug, Clone)]
--- a/src/core/deps/mod.rs
+++ b/src/core/deps/mod.rs
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ pub mod register;
 use crate::core::build_config::Config;
 use crate::core::deps::common::ResolvedDeps;
 use crate::core::deps::lock::{DepLock, write_lock};
+use crate::utils::build::{resolve_pkg_config_flags, run_pkg_config};
 use std::path::Path;

 /// Returns the version string from a dependency's dcr.toml file, or an empty string if missing.
@@ -73,7 +74,22 @@ pub fn resolve_deps(
    if let Some(deps) = deps_table {
        // Process each dependency declaration in the TOML table
        for (name, value) in deps {
-            if register::is_registry_dep(value) {
+            if let Some(packages) = pkg_config_dep(value, name)? {
+                let (cflags, ldflags) = resolve_pkg_config_flags(&packages, &[], &[])?;
+                resolved.cflags.extend(cflags);
+                resolved.ldflags.extend(ldflags);
+                let version = packages
+                    .first()
+                    .and_then(|pkg| run_pkg_config(pkg, "--modversion").ok())
+                    .map(|v| v.trim().to_string())
+                    .unwrap_or_default();
+                lock_packages.push(DepLock {
+                    name: name.clone(),
+                    version,
+                    checksum: String::new(),
+                    source: format!("pkg-config+{}", packages.join(",")),
+                });
+            } else if register::is_registry_dep(value) {
                let pkg_info = register::resolve_package_from_registry(name)?;
                let dep_root = register::package_root_from_registry_info(&pkg_info)?;

@@ -274,6 +290,48 @@ fn git_dep(value: &toml::Value) -> Option<GitDep<'_>> {
    None
 }

+/// Extracts one or more pkg-config package names from a dependency table.
+/// Both `pkg-config` and the legacy-style `pkg_config` spelling are accepted.
+fn pkg_config_dep(
+    value: &toml::Value,
+    dependency_name: &str,
+) -> Result<Option<Vec<String>>, String> {
+    let Some(table) = value.as_table() else {
+        return Ok(None);
+    };
+    let raw = table.get("pkg-config").or_else(|| table.get("pkg_config"));
+    let Some(raw) = raw else {
+        return Ok(None);
+    };
+    let packages = if let Some(pkg) = raw.as_str() {
+        vec![pkg.to_string()]
+    } else {
+        raw.as_array()
+            .ok_or_else(|| {
+                format!(
+                    "Dependency `{dependency_name}` field `pkg-config` must be a string or array of strings"
+                )
+            })?
+            .iter()
+            .map(|value| {
+                value.as_str().map(str::to_string).ok_or_else(|| {
+                    format!(
+                        "Dependency `{dependency_name}` field `pkg-config` must contain only strings"
+                    )
+                })
+            })
+            .collect::<Result<Vec<_>, _>>()?
+            .into_iter()
+            .collect()
+    };
+    if packages.is_empty() || packages.iter().any(|pkg| pkg.trim().is_empty()) {
+        return Err(format!(
+            "Dependency `{dependency_name}` field `pkg-config` must not be empty"
+        ));
+    }
+    Ok(Some(packages))
+}
+
 /// Extracts the path for a path-based dependency, supporting both table format and legacy string format.
 fn path_dep_path(value: &toml::Value) -> Option<&str> {
    if let Some(table) = value.as_table() {
@@ -436,6 +494,20 @@ mod tests {
        assert_eq!(path_dep_path(&Value::String("1.2.3".to_string())), None);
    }

+    #[test]
+    fn pkg_config_dep_accepts_string_and_array() {
+        let single: Value = toml::from_str("pkg-config = \"fmt\"").unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(
+            pkg_config_dep(&single, "fmt"),
+            Ok(Some(vec!["fmt".to_string()]))
+        );
+        let many: Value = toml::from_str("pkg_config = [\"fmt\", \"zlib\"]").unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(
+            pkg_config_dep(&many, "base"),
+            Ok(Some(vec!["fmt".to_string(), "zlib".to_string()]))
+        );
+    }
+
    /// Verifies that push_default_lib_dirs includes the target/lib directory when it exists.
    #[test]
    fn default_lib_dirs_include_packaged_library_output() {
--- a/src/core/registry.rs
+++ b/src/core/registry.rs
@@ -17,9 +17,7 @@

 /// Registry configuration management for DCR.
 use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
-use std::collections::HashMap;
-use std::fs;
-use std::path::PathBuf;
+use std::{collections::HashMap, fs, path::PathBuf};

 /// Represents a registry configuration entry with its URL and priority.
 #[derive(Debug, Serialize, Deserialize)]
--- a/src/core/runner.rs
+++ b/src/core/runner.rs
@@ -16,8 +16,7 @@
 // along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.

 use crate::platform;
-use std::path::Path;
-use std::process::Command;
+use std::{path::Path, process::Command};

 /// Runs the built binary for a project, forwarding `bin_args`.
 ///
--- a/src/core/vcs/git.rs
+++ b/src/core/vcs/git.rs
@@ -15,8 +15,7 @@
 // You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
 // along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.

-use std::fs;
-use std::path::Path;
+use std::{fs, path::Path};

 /// Initializes a Git repository in the target directory and configures its `.gitignore` file.
 ///
--- a/src/main.rs
+++ b/src/main.rs
@@ -14,20 +14,29 @@
 //
 // You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
 // along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
-use crate::utils::log::error;
 mod cli;
 mod config;
 mod core;
 mod platform;
+mod prelude;
 mod utils;

+use prelude::*;
+
 /// Main entry point for DCR, a Cargo-like C/C++ project manager.
 ///
 /// Collects command-line arguments via `std::env::args()` and dispatches to the
 /// appropriate subcommand handler. With fewer than two arguments, shows help and
 /// exits with code 0; otherwise exits with the handler's exit code.
 fn main() {
-    let args: Vec<String> = std::env::args().collect();
+    let args = match utils::output::configure(std::env::args().collect()) {
+        Ok(args) => args,
+        Err(message) => {
+            utils::output::emit("error", &message);
+            std::process::exit(2);
+        }
+    };
+    utils::log::init();

    if args.len() < 2 {
        std::process::exit(cli::help::help());
@@ -61,7 +70,7 @@ fn main() {
        "--help" => cli::help::help(),
        "--update" => cli::flag_update::flag_update(rest),
        _ => {
-            error("Unknown command or argument");
+            error!("Unknown command or argument");
            1
        }
    };
--- a/src/platform/mod.rs
+++ b/src/platform/mod.rs
@@ -58,11 +58,11 @@ pub fn bin_path(profile: &str, name: &str, target_dir: Option<&str>) -> String {
    }
    #[cfg(target_os = "macos")]
    {
-        return macos::bin_path(profile, name, target_dir);
+        macos::bin_path(profile, name, target_dir)
    }
    #[cfg(target_os = "windows")]
    {
-        return windows::bin_path(profile, name, target_dir);
+        windows::bin_path(profile, name, target_dir)
    }
    #[cfg(any(
        target_os = "freebsd",
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ pub fn bin_path(profile: &str, name: &str, target_dir: Option<&str>) -> String {
        target_os = "dragonfly"
    ))]
    {
-        return bsd::bin_path(profile, name, target_dir);
+        bsd::bin_path(profile, name, target_dir)
    }
    #[cfg(not(any(
        target_os = "linux",
@@ -83,7 +83,7 @@ pub fn bin_path(profile: &str, name: &str, target_dir: Option<&str>) -> String {
        target_os = "dragonfly"
    )))]
    {
-        return posix::bin_path(profile, name, target_dir);
+        posix::bin_path(profile, name, target_dir)
    }
 }

@@ -97,11 +97,11 @@ pub fn elf_path(profile: &str, name: &str, target_dir: Option<&str>) -> String {
    }
    #[cfg(target_os = "macos")]
    {
-        return macos::elf_path(profile, name, target_dir);
+        macos::elf_path(profile, name, target_dir)
    }
    #[cfg(target_os = "windows")]
    {
-        return windows::elf_path(profile, name, target_dir);
+        windows::elf_path(profile, name, target_dir)
    }
    #[cfg(any(
        target_os = "freebsd",
@@ -110,7 +110,7 @@ pub fn elf_path(profile: &str, name: &str, target_dir: Option<&str>) -> String {
        target_os = "dragonfly"
    ))]
    {
-        return bsd::elf_path(profile, name, target_dir);
+        bsd::elf_path(profile, name, target_dir)
    }
    #[cfg(not(any(
        target_os = "linux",
@@ -122,7 +122,7 @@ pub fn elf_path(profile: &str, name: &str, target_dir: Option<&str>) -> String {
        target_os = "dragonfly"
    )))]
    {
-        return posix::elf_path(profile, name, target_dir);
+        posix::elf_path(profile, name, target_dir)
    }
 }

@@ -136,11 +136,11 @@ pub fn efi_path(profile: &str, name: &str, target_dir: Option<&str>) -> String {
    }
    #[cfg(target_os = "macos")]
    {
-        return macos::efi_path(profile, name, target_dir);
+        macos::efi_path(profile, name, target_dir)
    }
    #[cfg(target_os = "windows")]
    {
-        return windows::efi_path(profile, name, target_dir);
+        windows::efi_path(profile, name, target_dir)
    }
    #[cfg(any(
        target_os = "freebsd",
@@ -149,7 +149,7 @@ pub fn efi_path(profile: &str, name: &str, target_dir: Option<&str>) -> String {
        target_os = "dragonfly"
    ))]
    {
-        return bsd::efi_path(profile, name, target_dir);
+        bsd::efi_path(profile, name, target_dir)
    }
    #[cfg(not(any(
        target_os = "linux",
@@ -161,7 +161,7 @@ pub fn efi_path(profile: &str, name: &str, target_dir: Option<&str>) -> String {
        target_os = "dragonfly"
    )))]
    {
-        return posix::efi_path(profile, name, target_dir);
+        posix::efi_path(profile, name, target_dir)
    }
 }

@@ -175,11 +175,11 @@ pub fn lib_path(profile: &str, name: &str, target_dir: Option<&str>) -> String {
    }
    #[cfg(target_os = "macos")]
    {
-        return macos::lib_path(profile, name, target_dir);
+        macos::lib_path(profile, name, target_dir)
    }
    #[cfg(target_os = "windows")]
    {
-        return windows::lib_path(profile, name, target_dir);
+        windows::lib_path(profile, name, target_dir)
    }
    #[cfg(any(
        target_os = "freebsd",
@@ -188,7 +188,7 @@ pub fn lib_path(profile: &str, name: &str, target_dir: Option<&str>) -> String {
        target_os = "dragonfly"
    ))]
    {
-        return bsd::lib_path(profile, name, target_dir);
+        bsd::lib_path(profile, name, target_dir)
    }
    #[cfg(not(any(
        target_os = "linux",
@@ -200,7 +200,7 @@ pub fn lib_path(profile: &str, name: &str, target_dir: Option<&str>) -> String {
        target_os = "dragonfly"
    )))]
    {
-        return posix::lib_path(profile, name, target_dir);
+        posix::lib_path(profile, name, target_dir)
    }
 }

@@ -214,11 +214,11 @@ pub fn shared_lib_path(profile: &str, name: &str, target_dir: Option<&str>) -> S
    }
    #[cfg(target_os = "macos")]
    {
-        return macos::shared_lib_path(profile, name, target_dir);
+        macos::shared_lib_path(profile, name, target_dir)
    }
    #[cfg(target_os = "windows")]
    {
-        return windows::shared_lib_path(profile, name, target_dir);
+        windows::shared_lib_path(profile, name, target_dir)
    }
    #[cfg(any(
        target_os = "freebsd",
@@ -227,7 +227,7 @@ pub fn shared_lib_path(profile: &str, name: &str, target_dir: Option<&str>) -> S
        target_os = "dragonfly"
    ))]
    {
-        return bsd::shared_lib_path(profile, name, target_dir);
+        bsd::shared_lib_path(profile, name, target_dir)
    }
    #[cfg(not(any(
        target_os = "linux",
@@ -239,6 +239,6 @@ pub fn shared_lib_path(profile: &str, name: &str, target_dir: Option<&str>) -> S
        target_os = "dragonfly"
    )))]
    {
-        return posix::shared_lib_path(profile, name, target_dir);
+        posix::shared_lib_path(profile, name, target_dir)
    }
 }
--- a/src/prelude.rs
+++ b/src/prelude.rs
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+pub use log::{error, warn};
--- a/src/utils/build.rs
+++ b/src/utils/build.rs
@@ -15,8 +15,9 @@
 // You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
 // along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.

+use crate::prelude::*;
+
 use crate::core::build_config::Config;
-use crate::utils::log::warn;
 use std::path::{Path, PathBuf};

 /// Version information parsed from a version string.
@@ -251,10 +252,9 @@ pub fn normalize_target_os(target: &str) -> &str {
        "windows" => "x86_64-pc-windows-msvc",
        _ if target.contains('-') => target,
        _ => {
-            warn(&format!(
-                "Unknown target '{}', using as-is. Supported short names: linux, macos, windows",
-                target
-            ));
+            warn!(
+                "Unknown target '{target}', using as-is. Supported short names: linux, macos, windows"
+            );
            target
        }
    }
@@ -782,6 +782,13 @@ mod tests {
        assert_eq!(flags, vec!["-O2".to_string()]);
    }

+    #[test]
+    fn native_clang_target_is_not_added_without_explicit_target() {
+        let mut flags = vec!["-O3".to_string()];
+        prepend_clang_target_flag(&mut flags, None, "clang");
+        assert_eq!(flags, vec!["-O3".to_string()]);
+    }
+
    /// Test for parse_version_parts function.
    #[test]
    fn parse_version_parts() {
--- a/src/utils/cli_styles.rs
+++ b/src/utils/cli_styles.rs
@@ -15,39 +15,33 @@
 // You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
 // along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.

-#[allow(dead_code)]
-pub const RESET: &str = "\x1b[0m";
+pub use owo_colors::{OwoColorize as Colorize, Style};

+// Сli theme styles
+// Main
 #[allow(dead_code)]
-pub const BOLD: &str = "\x1b[1m";
+pub const BOLD_RED: Style = Style::new().bright_red().bold();
+#[allow(dead_code)]
+pub const BOLD_GREEN: Style = Style::new().bright_green().bold();
+#[allow(dead_code)]
+pub const BOLD_YELLOW: Style = Style::new().bright_yellow().bold();
+#[allow(dead_code)]
+pub const BOLD_CYAN: Style = Style::new().bright_cyan().bold();
+#[allow(dead_code)]
+pub const BOLD_BLUE: Style = Style::new().bright_blue().bold();

+// Help
 #[allow(dead_code)]
-pub const BRIGHT_RED: &str = "\x1b[91m";
+pub const HELP_SECTION_TITLE_ST: Style = BOLD_GREEN;
 #[allow(dead_code)]
-pub const BRIGHT_GREEN: &str = "\x1b[92m";
-#[allow(dead_code)]
-pub const BRIGHT_YELLOW: &str = "\x1b[93m";
-#[allow(dead_code)]
-pub const BRIGHT_CYAN: &str = "\x1b[96m";
-#[allow(dead_code)]
-pub const BOLD_RED: &str = "\x1b[1m\x1b[91m";
-#[allow(dead_code)]
-pub const BOLD_GREEN: &str = "\x1b[1m\x1b[92m";
-#[allow(dead_code)]
-pub const BOLD_YELLOW: &str = "\x1b[1m\x1b[93m";
-#[allow(dead_code)]
-pub const BOLD_CYAN: &str = "\x1b[1m\x1b[96m";
+pub const HELP_EXAMPLES_ST: Style = BOLD_CYAN;

-/// Applies ANSI escape codes to format the message with the given style.
-///
-/// This is a utility for colored output in terminal applications.
+// Other
 #[allow(dead_code)]
-pub fn colored(msg: &str, style: &str) -> String {
-    format!("{style}{msg}{RESET}")
-}
-
-/// Prints `msg` to stdout with the given ANSI `style`.
+pub const ERROR_ST: Style = BOLD_RED;
 #[allow(dead_code)]
-pub fn printc(msg: &str, style: &str) {
-    println!("{style}{msg}{RESET}");
-}
+pub const SUCCESS_ST: Style = BOLD_GREEN;
+#[allow(dead_code)]
+pub const ALERT_ST: Style = BOLD_YELLOW;
+#[allow(dead_code)]
+pub const SKIP_ST: Style = BOLD_BLUE;
--- a/src/utils/git.rs
+++ b/src/utils/git.rs
@@ -1,5 +1,4 @@
-use std::path::Path;
-use std::process::Command;
+use std::{path::Path, process::Command};

 /// Checks if the `git` executable is available in the system's PATH.
 ///
--- a/src/utils/help.rs
+++ b/src/utils/help.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,124 @@
+use super::cli_styles::{BOLD_CYAN, BOLD_GREEN, Colorize};
+use super::output;
+
+pub struct HelpBuilder {
+    title: String,
+    description: Option<String>,
+    sections: Vec<Section>,
+    tip: Option<String>,
+}
+
+pub struct HelpSection<'a> {
+    help: &'a mut HelpBuilder,
+    index: usize,
+}
+struct Section {
+    title: String,
+    entries: Vec<(String, String)>,
+}
+
+impl HelpBuilder {
+    pub fn new(title: impl Into<String>) -> Self {
+        Self {
+            title: title.into(),
+            description: None,
+            sections: Vec::new(),
+            tip: None,
+        }
+    }
+    pub fn description(&mut self, text: impl Into<String>) -> &mut Self {
+        self.description = Some(text.into());
+        self
+    }
+
+    /// Add an example to a dedicated `EXAMPLES` section.
+    pub fn example(&mut self, text: impl Into<String>) -> &mut Self {
+        let text = text.into();
+        if let Some(section) = self.sections.iter_mut().find(|s| s.title == "EXAMPLES") {
+            section.entries.push((text, String::new()));
+        } else {
+            self.sections.push(Section {
+                title: "EXAMPLES".to_owned(),
+                entries: vec![(text, String::new())],
+            });
+        }
+        self
+    }
+    pub fn note(&mut self, text: impl Into<String>) -> &mut Self {
+        let text = text.into();
+        match &mut self.description {
+            Some(description) if !description.is_empty() => {
+                description.push('\n');
+                description.push_str(&text);
+            }
+            Some(description) => description.push_str(&text),
+            None => self.description = Some(text),
+        }
+        self
+    }
+    pub fn section(&mut self, title: impl Into<String>) -> HelpSection<'_> {
+        self.sections.push(Section {
+            title: title.into(),
+            entries: Vec::new(),
+        });
+        HelpSection {
+            index: self.sections.len() - 1,
+            help: self,
+        }
+    }
+    pub fn tip(&mut self, text: impl Into<String>) -> &mut Self {
+        self.tip = Some(text.into());
+        self
+    }
+
+    pub fn render(&self) {
+        if output::mode() == output::Mode::Json {
+            let sections: Vec<_> = self.sections.iter().map(|s| serde_json::json!({"title": s.title, "items": s.entries.iter().map(|(n,d)| serde_json::json!({"name":n,"description":d})).collect::<Vec<_>>() })).collect();
+            let event = serde_json::json!({
+                "schema_version": 1,
+                "event": "help",
+                "title": self.title,
+                "description": self.description,
+                "sections": sections,
+                "tip": self.tip
+            });
+            output::write_stdout_raw(&format!("{event}\n"));
+            return;
+        }
+        let mut rendered = String::new();
+        rendered.push_str(&format!("{}\n", self.title.style(BOLD_GREEN)));
+        if let Some(d) = &self.description {
+            rendered.push_str(&format!("{}\n\n", d));
+        }
+        for s in &self.sections {
+            rendered.push_str(&format!("{}:\n", s.title.style(BOLD_GREEN)));
+            let width = s.entries.iter().map(|(n, _)| n.len()).max().unwrap_or(0);
+            for (n, d) in &s.entries {
+                if d.is_empty() {
+                    rendered.push_str(&format!("    {}\n", n.style(BOLD_CYAN)));
+                } else {
+                    rendered.push_str(&format!(
+                        "    {}  {d}\n",
+                        format!("{n:<width$}").style(BOLD_CYAN)
+                    ));
+                }
+            }
+            rendered.push('\n');
+        }
+        if let Some(t) = &self.tip {
+            rendered.push_str(&format!("{}:\n    {t}\n", "TIP".style(BOLD_GREEN)));
+        }
+        output::write_stdout(&rendered);
+    }
+}
+impl HelpSection<'_> {
+    pub fn item(self, name: impl Into<String>, description: impl Into<String>) -> Self {
+        self.help.sections[self.index]
+            .entries
+            .push((name.into(), description.into()));
+        self
+    }
+    pub fn example(self, command: impl Into<String>) -> Self {
+        self.item(command, "")
+    }
+}
--- a/src/utils/log.rs
+++ b/src/utils/log.rs
@@ -15,17 +15,37 @@
 // You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
 // along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.

-use crate::utils::text::{BOLD_RED, BOLD_YELLOW, colored};
+use log::{LevelFilter, Log, Metadata, Record};

-/// Logs an error message to the standard error stream.
-///
-/// The message is prefixed with a red "error" label for visibility.
-#[allow(dead_code)]
-pub fn error(msg: &str) {
-    eprintln!("{}: {msg}", colored("error", BOLD_RED));
+struct CliLogger;
+
+impl Log for CliLogger {
+    fn enabled(&self, metadata: &Metadata<'_>) -> bool {
+        metadata.level().to_level_filter() <= log::max_level()
+    }
+    fn log(&self, record: &Record<'_>) {
+        if !self.enabled(record.metadata()) {
+            return;
+        }
+        let kind = match record.level() {
+            log::Level::Warn => "warning",
+            log::Level::Error => "error",
+            log::Level::Info => "info",
+            log::Level::Debug => "debug",
+            log::Level::Trace => "trace",
+        };
+        crate::utils::output::emit(kind, &record.args().to_string());
+    }
+    fn flush(&self) {}
 }

-#[allow(dead_code)]
-pub fn warn(msg: &str) {
-    eprintln!("{}: {msg}", colored("warn", BOLD_YELLOW));
+// A function for initializing the logging lib with basic settings.
+pub fn init() {
+    static LOGGER: CliLogger = CliLogger;
+    log::set_logger(&LOGGER).expect("logger already initialized");
+    log::set_max_level(if crate::utils::output::verbose() {
+        LevelFilter::Debug
+    } else {
+        LevelFilter::Info
+    });
 }
--- a/src/utils/mod.rs
+++ b/src/utils/mod.rs
@@ -29,4 +29,6 @@ pub mod git;
 pub mod log;

 /// Text processing and manipulation helpers.
-pub mod text;
+pub mod cli_styles;
+pub mod help;
+pub mod output;
--- a/src/utils/output.rs
+++ b/src/utils/output.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,535 @@
+//! Central rendering policy for user-facing CLI events.
+use std::io::{self, IsTerminal, Write};
+use std::sync::OnceLock;
+
+#[derive(Clone, Copy, Default, PartialEq)]
+pub enum Mode {
+    #[default]
+    Human,
+    Plain,
+    Json,
+}
+
+#[derive(Default)]
+pub struct Options {
+    pub mode: Mode,
+    pub quiet: bool,
+    pub verbose: bool,
+    pub color: Option<bool>,
+}
+
+static OPTIONS: OnceLock<Options> = OnceLock::new();
+
+/// Consume global options without touching arguments after `--`.
+pub fn configure(args: Vec<String>) -> Result<Vec<String>, String> {
+    let mut options = Options::default();
+    let mut remaining = Vec::new();
+    let mut args = args.into_iter();
+    if let Some(program) = args.next() {
+        remaining.push(program);
+    }
+    while let Some(arg) = args.next() {
+        if arg == "--" {
+            remaining.push(arg);
+            remaining.extend(args);
+            break;
+        }
+        match arg.as_str() {
+            "--quiet" => options.quiet = true,
+            "--verbose" => options.verbose = true,
+            "--output" | "--color" => {
+                let value = args
+                    .next()
+                    .ok_or_else(|| format!("{arg} requires a value"))?;
+                set_option(&mut options, &arg, &value)?;
+            }
+            _ if arg.starts_with("--output=") || arg.starts_with("--color=") => {
+                let (key, value) = arg.split_once('=').unwrap();
+                set_option(&mut options, key, value)?;
+            }
+            _ => {
+                remaining.push(arg);
+                remaining.extend(args);
+                break;
+            }
+        }
+    }
+    OPTIONS
+        .set(options)
+        .map_err(|_| "output already configured".to_owned())?;
+    // Help is styled before it reaches the output writer.  Keep owo-colors'
+    // global decision in sync with DCR's explicit color policy; otherwise
+    // `--color always` can color the DCR banner but leave help sections plain.
+    let configured = OPTIONS.get().expect("output options were just configured");
+    let force_color = configured.color.or_else(|| {
+        if std::env::var_os("NO_COLOR").is_some() {
+            Some(false)
+        } else {
+            None
+        }
+    });
+    if let Some(enabled) = force_color {
+        owo_colors::set_override(enabled);
+    }
+    Ok(remaining)
+}
+
+fn set_option(options: &mut Options, key: &str, value: &str) -> Result<(), String> {
+    match (key, value) {
+        ("--output", "human") => options.mode = Mode::Human,
+        ("--output", "plain") => options.mode = Mode::Plain,
+        ("--output", "json") => options.mode = Mode::Json,
+        ("--color", "auto") => options.color = None,
+        ("--color", "always") => options.color = Some(true),
+        ("--color", "never") => options.color = Some(false),
+        _ => return Err(format!("invalid value `{value}` for {key}")),
+    }
+    Ok(())
+}
+
+pub fn emit(kind: &str, message: &str) {
+    let defaults = Options::default();
+    let options = OPTIONS.get().unwrap_or(&defaults);
+    if options.quiet && !is_quiet_visible(kind) {
+        return;
+    }
+    if matches!(kind, "debug" | "trace") && !options.verbose {
+        return;
+    }
+    let mut stderr = io::stderr().lock();
+    let _ = render(
+        &mut stderr,
+        options,
+        kind,
+        message,
+        io::stderr().is_terminal(),
+    );
+}
+
+/// Emit a structured event while retaining the human-readable diagnostic form.
+pub fn emit_event(event: &str, fields: serde_json::Value, human: &str) {
+    let defaults = Options::default();
+    let options = OPTIONS.get().unwrap_or(&defaults);
+    if options.quiet && !is_quiet_visible(event) {
+        return;
+    }
+    if options.mode == Mode::Json {
+        let mut object = match fields {
+            serde_json::Value::Object(object) => object,
+            _ => serde_json::Map::new(),
+        };
+        object.insert("schema_version".into(), serde_json::json!(1));
+        object.insert("event".into(), serde_json::json!(event));
+        let mut stderr = io::stderr().lock();
+        let _ = writeln!(stderr, "{}", serde_json::Value::Object(object));
+    } else if event == "compiler_output" {
+        emit("compiler_output", human);
+    } else {
+        emit("build", human);
+    }
+}
+
+fn is_quiet_visible(kind: &str) -> bool {
+    matches!(kind, "error" | "warning" | "compiler_output")
+}
+
+pub fn mode() -> Mode {
+    OPTIONS.get().map_or(Mode::Human, |options| options.mode)
+}
+
+pub fn verbose() -> bool {
+    OPTIONS.get().is_some_and(|options| options.verbose)
+}
+
+pub fn colors_enabled(terminal: bool) -> bool {
+    let defaults = Options::default();
+    let options = OPTIONS.get().unwrap_or(&defaults);
+    colors_enabled_for(options, terminal)
+}
+
+fn colors_enabled_for(options: &Options, terminal: bool) -> bool {
+    options.mode == Mode::Human
+        && options
+            .color
+            .unwrap_or(terminal && std::env::var_os("NO_COLOR").is_none())
+}
+
+pub fn progress_label(action: &str, subject: &str) -> String {
+    let text = format!("{action:<12} {subject}");
+    if !colors_enabled(true) {
+        return text;
+    }
+    let code = match action.to_ascii_lowercase().as_str() {
+        "project" | "target" | "dep" | "pack" | "ready" | "profile" => 36,
+        _ => 32,
+    };
+    format!("\x1b[1;{code}m{action:>12}\x1b[0m {subject}")
+}
+
+/// A compact fluent writer for user-facing status output.
+///
+/// Commands can build a complete message without repeating the output macro:
+/// `output::ui().status("Compiling", name).detail("release").finish();`
+#[allow(dead_code)]
+pub struct Ui {
+    lines: Vec<String>,
+}
+
+#[allow(dead_code)]
+pub fn ui() -> Ui {
+    Ui { lines: Vec::new() }
+}
+
+pub fn say(message: impl AsRef<str>) {
+    write_stdout(&format!("{}\n", message.as_ref()));
+}
+pub fn status(action: impl AsRef<str>, subject: impl AsRef<str>) {
+    emit(
+        "status",
+        &format!("{} {}", action.as_ref(), subject.as_ref()),
+    );
+}
+pub fn success(message: impl AsRef<str>) {
+    emit("success", message.as_ref());
+}
+pub fn warning(message: impl AsRef<str>) {
+    emit("warning", message.as_ref());
+}
+pub fn info(message: impl AsRef<str>) {
+    emit("info", message.as_ref());
+}
+pub fn error(message: impl AsRef<str>) {
+    emit("error", message.as_ref());
+}
+pub fn created(subject: impl AsRef<str>) {
+    emit("success", &format!("Created {}", subject.as_ref()));
+}
+pub fn removed(subject: impl AsRef<str>) {
+    emit("success", &format!("Removed {}", subject.as_ref()));
+}
+
+pub fn compiler_output(stream: &str, text: &str) {
+    if mode() == Mode::Json {
+        emit_event(
+            "compiler_output",
+            serde_json::json!({"stream": stream, "text": text}),
+            "",
+        );
+    } else if stream == "stderr" {
+        emit("compiler_output", text);
+    } else {
+        write_stdout(text);
+    }
+}
+
+#[macro_export]
+macro_rules! say { () => { $crate::utils::output::say("") }; ($($arg:tt)*) => { $crate::utils::output::say(format!($($arg)*)) }; }
+#[macro_export]
+macro_rules! status { ($action:expr, $($arg:tt)*) => { $crate::utils::output::status($action, format!($($arg)*)) }; }
+#[macro_export]
+macro_rules! success { ($($arg:tt)*) => { $crate::utils::output::success(format!($($arg)*)) }; }
+
+impl Ui {
+    #[allow(dead_code)]
+    pub fn status(mut self, action: impl Into<String>, subject: impl Into<String>) -> Self {
+        self.lines
+            .push(format!("{} {}", action.into(), subject.into()));
+        self
+    }
+    #[allow(dead_code)]
+    pub fn detail(mut self, detail: impl Into<String>) -> Self {
+        if let Some(line) = self.lines.last_mut() {
+            line.push_str(&format!(" ({})", detail.into()));
+        }
+        self
+    }
+    #[allow(dead_code)]
+    pub fn item(mut self, item: impl Into<String>) -> Self {
+        self.lines.push(format!("  {}", item.into()));
+        self
+    }
+    #[allow(dead_code)]
+    pub fn finish(self) {
+        emit("status", &self.lines.join("\n"));
+    }
+}
+
+#[macro_export]
+macro_rules! output_warning {
+    ($($arg:tt)*) => { $crate::utils::output::emit("warning", &format!($($arg)*)) };
+}
+#[macro_export]
+macro_rules! output_error {
+    ($($arg:tt)*) => { $crate::utils::output::emit("error", &format!($($arg)*)) };
+}
+#[macro_export]
+macro_rules! output_info {
+    ($($arg:tt)*) => { $crate::utils::output::emit("info", &format!($($arg)*)) };
+}
+#[macro_export]
+macro_rules! output_success {
+    ($($arg:tt)*) => { $crate::utils::output::emit("success", &format!($($arg)*)) };
+}
+
+// Namespaced aliases avoid collisions with the technical `log` macros.
+#[allow(unused_imports)]
+pub use crate::{
+    output_error as error, output_info as info, output_success as success,
+    output_warning as warning,
+};
+
+/// User-facing stdout macros. Data/help output belongs on stdout; diagnostics
+/// and build status use `emit` on stderr.
+#[macro_export]
+macro_rules! output_println {
+    () => { $crate::utils::output::write_stdout("\n") };
+    ($($arg:tt)*) => { $crate::utils::output::write_stdout(&format!("{}\n", format_args!($($arg)*))) };
+}
+
+#[macro_export]
+macro_rules! output_print {
+    ($($arg:tt)*) => { $crate::utils::output::write_stdout(&format!($($arg)*)) };
+}
+
+pub fn write_stdout(text: &str) {
+    let defaults = Options::default();
+    let options = OPTIONS.get().unwrap_or(&defaults);
+    let colored = colors_enabled(io::stdout().is_terminal());
+    let has_ansi = text.contains('\x1b');
+    let rendered = if colored || !has_ansi {
+        text.to_owned()
+    } else {
+        strip_ansi(text)
+    };
+    let mut stdout = io::stdout().lock();
+    let result = if options.mode == Mode::Json {
+        writeln!(
+            stdout,
+            "{}",
+            serde_json::json!({"schema_version": 1, "event": "output", "text": rendered})
+        )
+    } else {
+        stdout.write_all(rendered.as_bytes())
+    };
+    if let Err(error) = result
+        && error.kind() == io::ErrorKind::BrokenPipe
+    {
+        std::process::exit(0);
+    }
+}
+
+pub fn write_stdout_raw(text: &str) {
+    let mut stdout = io::stdout().lock();
+    if let Err(error) = stdout.write_all(text.as_bytes())
+        && error.kind() == io::ErrorKind::BrokenPipe
+    {
+        std::process::exit(0);
+    }
+}
+
+fn strip_ansi(text: &str) -> String {
+    let mut chars = text.chars().peekable();
+    let mut clean = String::new();
+    while let Some(ch) = chars.next() {
+        if ch == '\x1b' && chars.peek() == Some(&'[') {
+            chars.next();
+            for ch in chars.by_ref() {
+                if ('@'..='~').contains(&ch) {
+                    break;
+                }
+            }
+        } else {
+            clean.push(ch);
+        }
+    }
+    clean
+}
+
+#[macro_export]
+macro_rules! output_sprintln {
+    ($style:expr, $($arg:tt)*) => {{
+        use $crate::utils::cli_styles::Colorize as _;
+        $crate::output_println!("{}", format!($($arg)*).style($style));
+    }};
+}
+
+/// Render a help heading through the same output policy as the rest of the CLI.
+/// Keeping this separate from ordinary styled output makes help formatting easy
+/// to change globally without touching every command.
+#[macro_export]
+macro_rules! output_help_heading {
+    ($style:expr, $($arg:tt)*) => {{
+        use $crate::utils::cli_styles::Colorize as _;
+        $crate::utils::output::write_stdout(&format!("{}\n", format!($($arg)*).style($style)));
+    }};
+}
+
+#[macro_export]
+macro_rules! output_sprint {
+    ($style:expr, $($arg:tt)*) => {{
+        use $crate::utils::cli_styles::Colorize as _;
+        $crate::output_print!("{}", format!($($arg)*).style($style));
+    }};
+}
+
+fn render(
+    writer: &mut impl Write,
+    options: &Options,
+    kind: &str,
+    message: &str,
+    terminal: bool,
+) -> io::Result<()> {
+    if options.mode == Mode::Json {
+        return writeln!(
+            writer,
+            "{}",
+            serde_json::json!({
+                "schema_version": 1, "event": kind, "message": message
+            })
+        );
+    }
+    let color = colors_enabled_for(options, terminal);
+    if kind == "compiler_output" {
+        let message = strip_ansi(message);
+        for line in message.lines() {
+            let code = if line.contains("error:") || line.contains("fatal error") {
+                31
+            } else if line.contains("warning:") {
+                33
+            } else if line.contains("note:") {
+                36
+            } else {
+                37
+            };
+            if color {
+                writeln!(writer, "\x1b[{code}m{line}\x1b[0m")?;
+            } else {
+                writeln!(writer, "{line}")?;
+            }
+        }
+        return Ok(());
+    }
+    if matches!(kind, "status" | "success" | "build") {
+        let message = strip_ansi(message);
+        let (action, subject) = message.split_once(' ').unwrap_or((&message, ""));
+        if color {
+            let code = match action.to_ascii_lowercase().as_str() {
+                "project" | "target" | "dep" | "pack" | "ready" | "profile" => 36,
+                "compile" | "compiling" | "created" | "creating" | "finished" | "done"
+                | "removed" | "initialized" | "added" | "checked" | "skipped" | "format"
+                | "formatting" | "lint" | "linting" | "run" | "up" | "loaded" => 32,
+                _ if kind == "success" => 32,
+                _ => 36,
+            };
+            return writeln!(writer, "\x1b[1;{code}m{action:>12}\x1b[0m {subject}");
+        }
+        return writeln!(writer, "{action:>12} {subject}");
+    }
+    if color {
+        let code = match kind {
+            "error" => 31,
+            "warning" => 33,
+            _ => 36,
+        };
+        writeln!(writer, "\x1b[1;{code}m{kind}:\x1b[0m {message}")
+    } else {
+        writeln!(writer, "{kind}: {}", strip_ansi(message))
+    }
+}
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use super::*;
+
+    #[test]
+    fn human_colors_status_action_and_diagnostics() {
+        let options = Options {
+            color: Some(true),
+            ..Options::default()
+        };
+        for (kind, message, expected) in [
+            (
+                "status",
+                "Compiling hello",
+                "\x1b[1;32m   Compiling\x1b[0m hello\n",
+            ),
+            (
+                "success",
+                "Created project",
+                "\x1b[1;32m     Created\x1b[0m project\n",
+            ),
+            ("warning", "notice", "\x1b[1;33mwarning:\x1b[0m notice\n"),
+            ("error", "failed", "\x1b[1;31merror:\x1b[0m failed\n"),
+        ] {
+            let mut bytes = Vec::new();
+            render(&mut bytes, &options, kind, message, false).unwrap();
+            assert_eq!(String::from_utf8(bytes).unwrap(), expected);
+        }
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn disabled_color_strips_existing_styles() {
+        let options = Options {
+            color: Some(false),
+            ..Options::default()
+        };
+        let mut bytes = Vec::new();
+        render(
+            &mut bytes,
+            &options,
+            "warning",
+            "\x1b[32mnotice\x1b[0m",
+            true,
+        )
+        .unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(String::from_utf8(bytes).unwrap(), "warning: notice\n");
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn human_colors_compiler_diagnostics_by_severity() {
+        let options = Options {
+            color: Some(true),
+            ..Options::default()
+        };
+        let mut bytes = Vec::new();
+        render(
+            &mut bytes,
+            &options,
+            "compiler_output",
+            "file.c:1:1: warning: unused value\nfile.c:2:1: error: invalid token",
+            true,
+        )
+        .unwrap();
+        let output = String::from_utf8(bytes).unwrap();
+        assert!(output.contains("\x1b[33mfile.c:1:1: warning: unused value\x1b[0m"));
+        assert!(output.contains("\x1b[31mfile.c:2:1: error: invalid token\x1b[0m"));
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn plain_never_contains_ansi() {
+        let mut bytes = Vec::new();
+        let options = Options {
+            mode: Mode::Plain,
+            color: Some(true),
+            ..Options::default()
+        };
+        render(&mut bytes, &options, "error", "compiler missing", true).unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(
+            String::from_utf8(bytes).unwrap(),
+            "error: compiler missing\n"
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn json_is_versioned_and_escapes_multiline_messages() {
+        let mut bytes = Vec::new();
+        let options = Options {
+            mode: Mode::Json,
+            ..Options::default()
+        };
+        render(&mut bytes, &options, "warning", "first\nsecond", false).unwrap();
+        let event: serde_json::Value = serde_json::from_slice(&bytes).unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(event["schema_version"], 1);
+        assert_eq!(event["message"], "first\nsecond");
+    }
+}
--- a/tests/cli_deps.rs
+++ b/tests/cli_deps.rs
@@ -52,6 +52,24 @@ fn dcr_add_dependencies() {
        "git short dep not found in toml"
    );

+    // Test pkg-config prefix.
+    let out = run_dcr(&["add", "fmt", "pkg-config:fmt"], &dir);
+    assert!(out.status.success(), "dcr add pkg-config should succeed");
+    let toml = std::fs::read_to_string(dir.join("dcr.toml")).unwrap();
+    assert!(
+        toml.contains("fmt = { pkg-config = \"fmt\" }"),
+        "pkg-config dep not found in toml"
+    );
+
+    // Test multiple pkg-config packages via pkg: prefix.
+    let out = run_dcr(&["add", "openssl", "pkg:openssl,libcrypto"], &dir);
+    assert!(out.status.success(), "dcr add multiple pkg should succeed");
+    let toml = std::fs::read_to_string(dir.join("dcr.toml")).unwrap();
+    assert!(
+        toml.contains("openssl = { pkg-config = [\"openssl\", \"libcrypto\"] }"),
+        "multi pkg-config dep not found in toml"
+    );
+
    // Test flags (branch)
    let out = run_dcr(
        &["add", "branch_lib", "github:user/repo", "--branch", "dev"],
@@ -146,6 +164,56 @@ fn path_prebuilt_dependency_without_manifest_links() {
    );
 }

+#[test]
+fn pkg_config_dependency_resolves_system_library() {
+    let Some(compiler) = available_compiler() else {
+        eprintln!("no compiler found; skipping pkg-config dependency test");
+        return;
+    };
+    if !std::process::Command::new("pkg-config")
+        .args(["--exists", "zlib"])
+        .status()
+        .map(|status| status.success())
+        .unwrap_or(false)
+    {
+        eprintln!("pkg-config zlib unavailable; skipping pkg-config dependency test");
+        return;
+    }
+
+    let root = unique_sandbox_dir("pkg_config_dep");
+    let app = root.join("app");
+    std::fs::create_dir_all(app.join("src")).unwrap();
+    std::fs::write(
+        app.join("dcr.toml"),
+        "[package]\nname = \"app\"\nversion = \"0.1.0\"\n\n[build]\nlanguage = \"c\"\ncompiler = \"clang\"\nkind = \"bin\"\n\n[dependencies]\nzlib = { pkg-config = \"zlib\" }\n",
+    )
+    .unwrap();
+    std::fs::write(
+        app.join("src/main.c"),
+        "#include <zlib.h>\nint main(void) { return zlibVersion() == 0 ? 1 : 0; }\n",
+    )
+    .unwrap();
+
+    let out = run_dcr_env(&["build"], &app, &[("DCR_COMPILER", compiler)]);
+    assert!(
+        out.status.success(),
+        "pkg-config dependency build failed: {}",
+        String::from_utf8_lossy(&out.stderr)
+    );
+    let lock = std::fs::read_to_string(app.join("dcr.lock")).unwrap();
+    assert!(lock.contains("source = \"pkg-config+zlib\""));
+
+    // Check dcr tree displays pkg-config info
+    let tree_out = run_dcr(&["tree"], &app);
+    assert!(tree_out.status.success(), "dcr tree should succeed");
+    let tree_str = String::from_utf8_lossy(&tree_out.stdout);
+    assert!(
+        tree_str.contains("zlib (pkg-config: zlib)"),
+        "dcr tree should format pkg-config dependency, got: {}",
+        tree_str
+    );
+}
+
 #[test]
 fn path_dcr_dependency_is_built_before_consumer() {
    let Some(compiler) = available_compiler() else {
--- a/tests/cli_new.rs
+++ b/tests/cli_new.rs
@@ -79,3 +79,24 @@ fn init_vcs_options_work() {
        assert!(gitignore.contains(".dcr/"));
    }
 }
+
+#[test]
+fn new_in_non_ascii_parent_directory() {
+    let parent_dir = unique_sandbox_dir("Проекты с пробелами");
+    let out = run_dcr(&["new", "my_app"], &parent_dir);
+    assert!(
+        out.status.success(),
+        "dcr new should succeed inside non-ascii parent dir: {}",
+        String::from_utf8_lossy(&out.stderr)
+    );
+
+    let project_dir = parent_dir.join("my_app");
+    assert!(project_dir.is_dir(), "project dir should exist");
+    assert!(project_dir.join("dcr.toml").is_file(), "dcr.toml missing");
+
+    let toml_content = std::fs::read_to_string(project_dir.join("dcr.toml")).unwrap();
+    assert!(
+        toml_content.contains("name = \"my_app\""),
+        "package name should be my_app in dcr.toml"
+    );
+}
--- a/tests/cli_test.rs
+++ b/tests/cli_test.rs
@@ -20,10 +20,15 @@ fn dcr_test_runs_without_sandbox_dependency() {
    assert!(out.status.success(), "dcr test should succeed");
    let stdout = String::from_utf8_lossy(&out.stdout);
    let stderr = String::from_utf8_lossy(&out.stderr);
-    assert!(stdout.contains("TOTAL: 1"), "TOTAL summary line missing");
    assert!(
-        stdout.contains("PASS:  1"),
-        "PASS summary line missing\nstdout:\n{}\nstderr:\n{}",
+        stderr.contains("test result: 1 passed; 0 failed; 0 skipped; 1 total"),
+        "test result summary line missing\nstdout:\n{}\nstderr:\n{}",
+        stdout,
+        stderr
+    );
+    assert!(
+        stdout.contains("PASS") || stderr.contains("Passed"),
+        "test pass output missing\nstdout:\n{}\nstderr:\n{}",
        stdout,
        stderr
    );
Author	SHA1	Message	Date
Dexoron	2258ae53fe	fix: avoid implicit clang target on native builds	2026-10-21 21:50:42 +08:00
Dexoron	0f2182fe96	Merge origin/master into master	2026-10-21 20:50:46 +08:00
Dexoron	0f456b4201	feat: complete structured CLI output - unify human, plain, and JSON CLI output modes - standardize diagnostics, lifecycle events, colors, quiet, and verbose handling - preserve argument forwarding and improve CLI help and summaries - document and release version 0.9.5	2026-10-21 18:55:23 +08:00
Dexoron	7d2340fb52	Merge pull request #39 from dexoron/dev v0.9.1	2026-09-13 15:02:16 +08:00
Dexoron	6c79340736	feat: add package name validation in default manifest generation; clarify pkg-config dependency requirements	2026-09-13 14:50:40 +08:00
Dexoron	be14cfb8e2	Update release date for version 0.9.1	2026-09-13 13:58:26 +08:00
Dexoron	3305915c07	Update release date for version 0.9.1	2026-09-13 13:58:04 +08:00
Dexoron	5cb51878a5	feat: add pkg-config system dependencies and fix dcr new in non-ascii paths	2026-09-08 20:40:49 +08:00
Dexoron	d587eba5a4	Update release.yml to use VERSION variable	2026-09-05 21:39:33 +08:00
Dexoron	bfd2b9d251	Merge pull request #36 from dexoron/dev Release v0.9.0	2026-08-31 14:16:57 +08:00