fix: avoid implicit clang target on native builds

- 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

CHANGELOG.md

@@ -1,5 +1,37 @@
 # 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

Cargo.lock

@@ -219,7 +219,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "dcr"
-version = "0.9.1"
+version = "0.9.5"
 dependencies = [
  "ctrlc",
  "env_logger",
@@ -452,6 +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"
@@ -597,6 +603,23 @@ 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"
@@ -751,6 +774,10 @@ 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"
@@ -1037,6 +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"

Cargo.toml

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 [package]
 name = "dcr"
-version = "0.9.1"
+version = "0.9.5"
 edition = "2024"
 build = "build.rs"
 description = "DCR is a utility for managing C/C++ projects in a Cargo-like style."
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ fatfs = { version = "0.3", optional = true }
 # Logging
 log = "0.4.34"
 env_logger = "0.11.11"
-owo-colors = "4"
+owo-colors = { version = "4", features = ["supports-colors"] }
 
 [profile.release]
 opt-level = "z"

dcrup.ps1

@@ -468,4 +468,3 @@ switch ($cmd) {
     'self-install' { Cmd-SelfInstall }
     default { Die "unknown command: $cmd" }
 }
-

docs/changelog.mdx

@@ -4,6 +4,13 @@ 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`.

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.

man/man1/dcr.1

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-.TH DCR 1 "2026-08-31" "dcr 0.9.1" "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

src/cli/add.rs

@@ -18,9 +18,7 @@
 use crate::prelude::*;
 
 use crate::core::{build_config::Config, deps::register};
-use crate::utils::cli_styles::{Colorize, HELP_EXAMPLES_ST, HELP_SECTION_TITLE_ST, SUCCESS_ST};
 use crate::utils::fs::find_project_root;
-use crate::utils::log::sprintln;
 use toml::{Value, map::Map};
 
 /// Parsed arguments for the `dcr add` command.
@@ -59,27 +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") {
-        sprintln!(HELP_SECTION_TITLE_ST, "USAGE:");
-        sprintln!(
-            HELP_EXAMPLES_ST,
-            "    dcr add <name> <source> [--branch <b>] [--tag <t>] [--rev <r>]"
-        );
-        println!();
-        sprintln!(HELP_SECTION_TITLE_ST, "DESCRIPTION:");
-        println!("    Adds a dependency to the project.");
-        println!();
-        sprintln!(HELP_SECTION_TITLE_ST, "SOURCES:");
-        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!("    pkg-config:fmt            System pkg-config dependency");
-        println!("    <version>                 Version from registry");
-        println!();
-        sprintln!(HELP_SECTION_TITLE_ST, "OPTIONS:");
-        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;
     }
 
@@ -164,11 +157,7 @@ pub fn add(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
         return 1;
     }
 
-    println!(
-        "    {} dependency `{}` to dcr.toml",
-        "Added".style(SUCCESS_ST),
-        add_args.name
-    );
+    crate::utils::output::success(format!("Added dependency `{}` to dcr.toml", add_args.name));
     0
 }
 

src/cli/build.rs

@@ -28,37 +28,17 @@ use crate::utils::build::{
     get_config_opt, get_config_str, get_language_with_profile_or_default, get_string_with_profile,
     normalize_kind, resolve_artifact_target_dir, resolve_compiler,
 };
-use crate::utils::cli_styles::{
-    BOLD_CYAN, BOLD_YELLOW, Colorize, HELP_EXAMPLES_ST, HELP_SECTION_TITLE_ST, SUCCESS_ST, Style,
-};
 use crate::utils::fs::{canonicalize_path, find_project_root};
-use crate::utils::log::sprintln;
+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: Style) -> String {
-    format!("{verb:<9}").style(style).to_string()
-}
-
 /// 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: Style, rest: &str) {
-        eprintln!("  {} {}", status(verb, style), rest);
-    }
-}
-
 impl BuildReporter for CliReporter {
     /// Handles build events by printing progress, status lines, and compiler output.
     ///
@@ -72,7 +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,
@@ -80,15 +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,
@@ -98,34 +92,55 @@ impl BuildReporter for CliReporter {
                 common::finish_progress_line();
                 // Only announce deps that were actually rebuilt this run.
                 if rebuilt {
-                    self.line("ready", SUCCESS_ST, &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", SUCCESS_ST), 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", SUCCESS_ST, &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);
             }
         }
     }
@@ -144,26 +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") {
-        sprintln!(HELP_SECTION_TITLE_ST, "USAGE:");
-        sprintln!(
-            HELP_EXAMPLES_ST,
-            "    dcr build [--debug | --release] [--target <triple>] [--force] [--clean] [--verbose] [--print-artifact-path]"
-        );
-        println!();
-        sprintln!(HELP_SECTION_TITLE_ST, "DESCRIPTION:");
-        println!("    Compiles the project. Default profile is --debug.");
-        println!();
-        sprintln!(HELP_SECTION_TITLE_ST, "OPTIONS:");
-        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;
     }
 
@@ -234,13 +245,21 @@ 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
         }

src/cli/clean.rs

@@ -20,11 +20,7 @@ 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::cli_styles::{
-    BOLD_GREEN, Colorize, HELP_EXAMPLES_ST, HELP_SECTION_TITLE_ST, SUCCESS_ST,
-};
 use crate::utils::fs::{check_dir, find_project_root, with_dir};
-use crate::utils::log::sprintln;
 use glob::glob;
 use std::{fs, path::Path};
 
@@ -39,20 +35,16 @@ use std::{fs, 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") {
-        sprintln!(HELP_SECTION_TITLE_ST, "USAGE:");
-        sprintln!(
-            HELP_EXAMPLES_ST,
-            "    dcr clean [--debug | --release] [--target <triple>] [--all]"
-        );
-        println!();
-        sprintln!(HELP_SECTION_TITLE_ST, "DESCRIPTION:");
-        println!("    Removes build artifacts from the target directory.");
-        println!();
-        sprintln!(HELP_SECTION_TITLE_ST, "OPTIONS:");
-        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;
     }
 
@@ -213,7 +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 `{}`", project_name.style(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}")
@@ -231,16 +223,12 @@ fn clean_project_at(
             if !dir_exists {
                 warn!("Directory target/{target_dir} not found");
             } else {
-                println!("    Profile: {}", profile.style(BOLD_GREEN));
+                crate::utils::output::status("Profile", profile);
                 if let Some(t) = target {
-                    println!("    Target: {}", t.style(BOLD_GREEN));
+                    crate::utils::output::status("Target", t);
                 }
                 let _ = fs::remove_dir_all(&target_dir);
-                println!(
-                    "{} Removed directory {}",
-                    "\n    ✔".style(SUCCESS_ST),
-                    target_dir
-                );
+                crate::utils::output::removed(format!("directory {target_dir}"));
             }
             clean_custom_paths(&config, profile)?;
             return Ok(());
@@ -248,7 +236,7 @@ fn clean_project_at(
 
         if items.contains(&"target".to_string()) {
             let _ = fs::remove_dir_all("target");
-            println!("{} Removed directory target", "\n    ✔".style(SUCCESS_ST));
+            crate::utils::output::removed("directory target");
         } else {
             warn!("Directory target not found");
         }

src/cli/flag_update.rs

@@ -17,8 +17,6 @@
 
 use crate::prelude::*;
 
-use crate::utils::cli_styles::{HELP_EXAMPLES_ST, HELP_SECTION_TITLE_ST};
-use crate::utils::log::sprintln;
 use serde::Deserialize;
 use std::fs;
 use std::io::Read;
@@ -57,11 +55,10 @@ 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") {
-        sprintln!(HELP_SECTION_TITLE_ST, "USAGE:");
-        sprintln!(HELP_EXAMPLES_ST, "    dcr --update");
-        println!();
-        sprintln!(HELP_SECTION_TITLE_ST, "DESCRIPTION:");
-        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;
     }
 
@@ -81,8 +78,9 @@ pub fn flag_update(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
     // 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}"
+        crate::utils::output::status(
+            "Update via package manager:",
+            format!("yay/paru -Syu {package_name} or sudo pacman -Syu {package_name}"),
         );
         return 0;
     }
@@ -101,7 +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;
     }
 
@@ -139,7 +137,9 @@ pub fn flag_update(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
     }
 
     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
 }
 

src/cli/fmt.rs

@@ -17,10 +17,6 @@
 
 use crate::prelude::*;
 
-use crate::utils::cli_styles::{
-    BOLD_GREEN, Colorize, HELP_EXAMPLES_ST, HELP_SECTION_TITLE_ST, SUCCESS_ST,
-};
-use crate::utils::log::sprintln;
 use glob::glob;
 use std::process::Command;
 
@@ -32,12 +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") {
-        sprintln!(HELP_SECTION_TITLE_ST, "USAGE:");
-        sprintln!(HELP_EXAMPLES_ST, "    dcr fmt");
-        println!();
-        sprintln!(HELP_SECTION_TITLE_ST, "DESCRIPTION:");
-        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;
     }
 
@@ -73,22 +68,18 @@ pub fn fmt(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
     }
 
     if files.is_empty() {
-        println!("    {} No files to format", "Format".style(BOLD_GREEN));
+        crate::utils::output::status("Format", "no files to format");
         return 0;
     }
 
     // Format the collected files
-    println!(
-        "    {} {} files",
-        "Formatting".style(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", "Format".style(SUCCESS_ST));
+            crate::utils::output::success("Format successful");
             0
         }
         Ok(s) => {

src/cli/gen.rs

@@ -28,11 +28,9 @@ use crate::utils::build::{
     get_list_with_profile, get_string_with_profile, normalize_kind, normalize_platform,
     resolve_artifact_target_dir, resolve_compiler, resolve_pkg_config_flags_lossy,
 };
-use crate::utils::cli_styles::{HELP_EXAMPLES_ST, HELP_SECTION_TITLE_ST};
 use crate::utils::fs::{
     absolute_join, atomic_write, canonicalize_path, ensure_dcr_dir, find_project_root,
 };
-use crate::utils::log::sprintln;
 use std::path::{Path, PathBuf};
 use std::time::{SystemTime, UNIX_EPOCH};
 
@@ -253,33 +251,30 @@ pub struct ProjectInfo {
 pub fn r#gen(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
     let subcommand = match args.first() {
         Some(s) if s == "--help" => {
-            sprintln!(HELP_SECTION_TITLE_ST, "USAGE:");
-            sprintln!(HELP_EXAMPLES_ST, "    dcr gen <subcommand>");
-            println!();
-            sprintln!(HELP_SECTION_TITLE_ST, "DESCRIPTION:");
-            println!("    Generates IDE and tooling integration files.");
-            println!();
-            sprintln!(HELP_SECTION_TITLE_ST, "SUBCOMMANDS:");
-            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!();
-            sprintln!(HELP_SECTION_TITLE_ST, "OPTIONS:");
-            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 => {
-            sprintln!(HELP_SECTION_TITLE_ST, "USAGE:");
-            sprintln!(HELP_EXAMPLES_ST, "    dcr gen <subcommand>");
-            println!();
-            sprintln!(HELP_SECTION_TITLE_ST, "SUBCOMMANDS:");
-            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;
         }
     };
@@ -778,8 +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"
                     );
                 }
@@ -818,8 +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()
                 ),
             }
@@ -830,7 +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),
         }
@@ -864,20 +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
 }
 
@@ -1002,11 +989,11 @@ 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
         }
@@ -1187,7 +1174,7 @@ fn gen_vscode(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
         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);
@@ -1195,7 +1182,7 @@ fn gen_vscode(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
         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);
@@ -1203,14 +1190,14 @@ fn gen_vscode(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
         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!("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
 }
@@ -1483,7 +1470,7 @@ fn gen_clion(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
         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();
@@ -1491,7 +1478,7 @@ fn gen_clion(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
         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);
@@ -1499,7 +1486,7 @@ fn gen_clion(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
         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";
@@ -1507,7 +1494,7 @@ fn gen_clion(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
         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 {
@@ -1521,7 +1508,7 @@ fn gen_clion(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
             error!("Failed to write runConfigurations/{fname}: {e}");
             return 1;
         }
-        println!("Generated {}", path.display());
+        crate::utils::output::created(format!("{}", path.display()));
     }
 
     0

src/cli/help.rs

@@ -15,9 +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::cli_styles::{HELP_EXAMPLES_ST, HELP_SECTION_TITLE_ST};
-use crate::utils::log::sprintln;
-
 /// Displays the help information for the DCR CLI tool.
 ///
 /// Prints usage, commands, flags, options, examples, and a tip.
@@ -25,43 +22,40 @@ use crate::utils::log::sprintln;
 /// # Returns
 /// Always `0`.
 pub fn help() -> i32 {
-    println!("DCR (Dexoron Cargo Realization)");
-    println!("C project manager inspired by Cargo.");
-    println!();
-    sprintln!(HELP_SECTION_TITLE_ST, "USAGE:");
-    sprintln!(HELP_EXAMPLES_ST, "    dcr <command> [options]");
-    println!();
-    sprintln!(HELP_SECTION_TITLE_ST, "COMMANDS:");
-    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");
-    sprintln!(HELP_SECTION_TITLE_ST, "FLAGS:");
-    println!("    --help            Show command help");
-    println!("    --update          Update dcr to the latest version");
-    println!("    --version         Show dcr version");
-    println!();
-    sprintln!(HELP_SECTION_TITLE_ST, "OPTIONS:");
-    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!();
-    sprintln!(HELP_SECTION_TITLE_ST, "EXAMPLES:");
-    sprintln!(HELP_EXAMPLES_ST, "    dcr new hello");
-    sprintln!(HELP_EXAMPLES_ST, "    dcr build --release");
-    sprintln!(HELP_EXAMPLES_ST, "    dcr run --debug");
-    println!();
-    sprintln!(HELP_SECTION_TITLE_ST, "TIP:");
-    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
 }

src/cli/init.rs

@@ -20,11 +20,7 @@ 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::cli_styles::{
-    BOLD_CYAN, BOLD_GREEN, Colorize, HELP_EXAMPLES_ST, HELP_SECTION_TITLE_ST, SUCCESS_ST,
-};
 use crate::utils::fs::check_dir;
-use crate::utils::log::sprintln;
 use std::{fs, io::Write};
 
 /// Initializes the current working directory as a new DCR project.
@@ -33,12 +29,11 @@ use std::{fs, io::Write};
 /// `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") {
-        sprintln!(HELP_SECTION_TITLE_ST, "USAGE:");
-        sprintln!(HELP_EXAMPLES_ST, "    dcr init [--vcs <git|none>]");
-        println!();
-        sprintln!(HELP_SECTION_TITLE_ST, "DESCRIPTION:");
-        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;
     }
 
@@ -79,28 +74,21 @@ pub fn init(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
     }
 
     if let Err(e) = validate_package_name(&project_name) {
-        error!(
-            "Invalid project name `{}`: {e}",
-            project_name.style(BOLD_CYAN),
-        );
+        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).
     if Config::create("./dcr.toml", Some(&project_name)).is_err() {
         error!("Failed to create dcr.toml");
         return 1;
     }
-    println!(
-        "    {} Created file {}",
-        "✔".style(SUCCESS_ST),
-        "dcr.toml".style(BOLD_CYAN)
-    );
+    crate::utils::output::created("dcr.toml");
 
     // Create src directory and write template main.c file.
     if fs::create_dir("src").is_err() {
@@ -118,11 +106,7 @@ pub fn init(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
         error!("Failed to write src/main.c");
         return 1;
     }
-    println!(
-        "    {} Created file {}",
-        "✔".style(SUCCESS_ST),
-        "src/main.c".style(BOLD_CYAN)
-    );
+    crate::utils::output::created("src/main.c");
 
     // Resolve target VCS provider or detect existing repositories.
     let mut vcs_kind = VcsKind::Git;
@@ -146,7 +130,7 @@ pub fn init(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
             if let Err(e) = crate::core::vcs::init_vcs(vcs_kind, project_path) {
                 warn!("Failed to initialize git repository: {e}");
             } else {
-                println!("    {} Initialized git repository", "✔".style(SUCCESS_ST));
+                crate::utils::output::success("Initialized git repository");
             }
         } else {
             warn!(
@@ -159,11 +143,7 @@ pub fn init(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
         warn!("Failed to update .gitignore: {e}");
     }
 
-    println!(
-        "Project `{}` successfully created\n",
-        project_name.style(SUCCESS_ST)
-    );
-    sprintln!(BOLD_GREEN, "Next step:");
-    sprintln!(BOLD_CYAN, "    dcr run");
+    crate::utils::output::success(format!("Initialized project `{project_name}`"));
+    crate::utils::output::info("Next step:\n  dcr run");
     0
 }

src/cli/lint.rs

@@ -20,11 +20,7 @@ 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::cli_styles::{
-    ALERT_ST, BOLD_GREEN, Colorize, HELP_EXAMPLES_ST, HELP_SECTION_TITLE_ST, SUCCESS_ST,
-};
 use crate::utils::fs::find_project_root;
-use crate::utils::log::sprintln;
 use std::path::{Path, PathBuf};
 use std::process::Command;
 
@@ -33,15 +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") {
-        sprintln!(HELP_SECTION_TITLE_ST, "USAGE:");
-        sprintln!(HELP_EXAMPLES_ST, "    dcr lint [--fix]");
-        println!();
-        sprintln!(HELP_SECTION_TITLE_ST, "DESCRIPTION:");
-        println!("    Runs clang-tidy on all C/C++ source files.");
-        println!("    Scans source roots (configurable via build.roots) and tests/ directory.");
-        println!();
-        sprintln!(HELP_SECTION_TITLE_ST, "OPTIONS:");
-        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;
     }
 
@@ -120,15 +114,17 @@ pub fn lint(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
     files.sort();
 
     if files.is_empty() {
-        println!("    {} No files to lint", "Lint".style(BOLD_GREEN));
+        crate::utils::output::status("Lint", "no files to lint");
         return 0;
     }
 
-    println!(
-        "    {} {} files {}",
-        "Linting".style(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;
@@ -164,14 +160,12 @@ pub fn lint(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
         if issue_count > 0 {
             total_issues += issue_count as u32;
             failed += 1;
-            print!("  {} ", "×".style(ALERT_ST));
-            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!("  {} ", "✓".style(SUCCESS_ST));
-            println!("{}", file);
+            crate::utils::output::status("Checked", file);
         }
     }
 
@@ -179,19 +173,11 @@ pub fn lint(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
     let passed = total - failed as usize;
 
     if failed == 0 {
-        println!(
-            "    {} {} files, no issues",
-            "Lint".style(SUCCESS_ST),
-            total
-        );
+        crate::utils::output::success(format!("Finished checking {total} files; no issues"));
     } else {
-        println!(
-            "    {} {}/{} files passed, {} issues found",
-            "Lint".style(ALERT_ST),
-            passed,
-            total,
-            total_issues
-        );
+        crate::utils::output::warning(format!(
+            "Finished checking {total} files; {passed} passed, {total_issues} issues found"
+        ));
     }
 
     0

src/cli/new.rs

@@ -20,11 +20,7 @@ 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::cli_styles::{
-    BOLD_CYAN, BOLD_GREEN, Colorize, HELP_EXAMPLES_ST, HELP_SECTION_TITLE_ST, SUCCESS_ST,
-};
 use crate::utils::fs::check_dir;
-use crate::utils::log::sprintln;
 use std::{fs, io::Write};
 
 /// Executes the `dcr new` command to scaffold a new C/C++ project directory structure.
@@ -33,12 +29,12 @@ use std::{fs, io::Write};
 /// 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") {
-        sprintln!(HELP_SECTION_TITLE_ST, "USAGE:");
-        sprintln!(HELP_EXAMPLES_ST, "    dcr new <name> [--vcs <git|none>]");
-        println!();
-        sprintln!(HELP_SECTION_TITLE_ST, "DESCRIPTION:");
-        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;
     }
 
@@ -73,38 +69,27 @@ pub fn new(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
     }
 
     let project_name = &clean_args[0];
-    println!("Creating a Project `{}`...", project_name.style(BOLD_CYAN));
-
     if let Err(e) = validate_package_name(project_name) {
-        error!(
-            "Invalid project name `{}`: {e}",
-            project_name.style(BOLD_CYAN),
-        );
+        error!("Invalid project name `{}`: {e}", project_name,);
         return 1;
     }
 
     if items.contains(project_name) {
-        error!(
-            "Directory `{}` already exists\n",
-            project_name.style(BOLD_CYAN)
-        );
-        sprintln!(BOLD_CYAN, "Hint:");
-        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",
-            "dcr init".style(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");
         return 1;
     }
-    println!(
-        "    {} Directory created {}",
-        "✔".style(SUCCESS_ST),
-        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");
@@ -112,11 +97,7 @@ pub fn new(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
         error!("Failed to create dcr.toml");
         return 1;
     }
-    println!(
-        "    {} Created file {}",
-        "✔".style(SUCCESS_ST),
-        "dcr.toml".style(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() {
@@ -135,11 +116,7 @@ pub fn new(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
         error!("Failed to write src/main.c");
         return 1;
     }
-    println!(
-        "    {} Created file {}",
-        "✔".style(SUCCESS_ST),
-        "src/main.c".style(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;
@@ -164,7 +141,7 @@ pub fn new(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
             if let Err(e) = crate::core::vcs::init_vcs(vcs_kind, project_path) {
                 warn!("Failed to initialize git repository: {e}");
             } else {
-                println!("    {} Initialized git repository", "✔".style(SUCCESS_ST));
+                crate::utils::output::success("Initialized git repository");
             }
         } else {
             warn!(
@@ -178,11 +155,7 @@ pub fn new(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
         warn!("Failed to update .gitignore: {e}");
     }
 
-    println!(
-        "Project `{}` successfully created\n",
-        project_name.style(SUCCESS_ST)
-    );
-    sprintln!(BOLD_GREEN, "Next step:");
-    sprintln!(BOLD_CYAN, "    cd {}\n    dcr run", project_name);
+    crate::utils::output::success(format!("Created project `{project_name}`"));
+    crate::utils::output::info(format!("Next steps:\n  cd {project_name}\n  dcr run"));
     0
 }

src/cli/run.rs

@@ -22,9 +22,7 @@ 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::cli_styles::{BOLD_GREEN, Colorize, HELP_EXAMPLES_ST, HELP_SECTION_TITLE_ST};
 use crate::utils::fs::{find_project_root, with_dir};
-use crate::utils::log::sprintln;
 use std::{path::Path, process::Command};
 
 /// Retrieves the run command from the config, preferring target-specific,
@@ -67,24 +65,19 @@ 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") {
-        sprintln!(HELP_SECTION_TITLE_ST, "USAGE:");
-        sprintln!(
-            HELP_EXAMPLES_ST,
-            "    dcr run [--debug | --release] [--target <triple>] [--force] [--clean] [--verbose] [-- <args>...]"
-        );
-        println!();
-        sprintln!(HELP_SECTION_TITLE_ST, "DESCRIPTION:");
-        println!("    Builds and runs the project. Only available for kind = \"bin\".");
-        println!("    Arguments after `--` are passed to the built binary (cargo-style).");
-        println!();
-        sprintln!(HELP_SECTION_TITLE_ST, "OPTIONS:");
-        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;
     }
 
@@ -126,11 +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!(
-                    "  {} {}",
-                    format!("{:<9}", "run").style(BOLD_GREEN),
-                    display
-                );
+                crate::utils::output::status("run", display);
                 return run_shell_with_args(&cmd, &flags.bin_args);
             }
             return build_status;
@@ -266,19 +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!(
-                "  {} {}",
-                format!("{:<9}", "run").style(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!(
-            "  {} {}",
-            format!("{:<9}", "run").style(BOLD_GREEN),
-            display
-        );
+        crate::utils::output::status("run", display);
         return Ok(run_binary(
             project_name,
             &flags.profile,

src/cli/setup.rs

@@ -15,33 +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::cli_styles::{HELP_EXAMPLES_ST, HELP_SECTION_TITLE_ST};
-use crate::utils::log::sprintln;
-
 /// 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") {
-        sprintln!(HELP_SECTION_TITLE_ST, "USAGE:");
-        sprintln!(HELP_EXAMPLES_ST, "    dcr setup");
-        println!();
-        sprintln!(HELP_SECTION_TITLE_ST, "DESCRIPTION:");
-        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
         }
     }

src/cli/test.rs

@@ -24,12 +24,7 @@ use crate::utils::build::{
     get_config_opt, get_config_str, get_language_with_profile, get_list_with_profile,
     get_string_with_profile, resolve_compiler, resolve_pkg_config_flags,
 };
-use crate::utils::cli_styles::{
-    BOLD_GREEN, Colorize, ERROR_ST, HELP_EXAMPLES_ST, HELP_SECTION_TITLE_ST, SKIP_ST, SUCCESS_ST,
-    Style,
-};
 use crate::utils::fs::{find_project_root, with_dir};
-use crate::utils::log::sprintln;
 use std::fs;
 use std::path::{Path, PathBuf};
 use std::process::Command;
@@ -40,22 +35,19 @@ pub fn test(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
     let mut profile = "debug";
     for arg in args {
         if arg == "--help" {
-            sprintln!(HELP_SECTION_TITLE_ST, "USAGE:");
-            sprintln!(
-                HELP_EXAMPLES_ST,
-                "    dcr test [--init] [--debug | --release]"
-            );
-            println!();
-            sprintln!(HELP_SECTION_TITLE_ST, "ALIASES:");
-            println!("    dcr tests");
-            println!();
-            sprintln!(HELP_SECTION_TITLE_ST, "DESCRIPTION:");
-            println!("    Runs project tests and prints a unified testsuite report.");
-            println!();
-            sprintln!(HELP_SECTION_TITLE_ST, "OPTIONS:");
-            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" {
@@ -185,7 +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;
@@ -200,19 +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!("{} {}", "[PASS]".style(SUCCESS_ST), name);
+            crate::utils::output::success(format!("Passed {name}"));
             pass += 1;
             parsed_any = true;
             continue;
         }
         if let Some(name) = line.strip_prefix("[SKIP] ") {
-            println!("{} {}", "[SKIP]".style(SKIP_ST), name);
+            crate::utils::output::status("Skipped", name);
             skip += 1;
             parsed_any = true;
             continue;
         }
         if let Some(name) = line.strip_prefix("[FAIL] ") {
-            println!("{} {}", "[FAIL]".style(ERROR_ST), name);
+            crate::utils::output::error(format!("Failed {name}"));
             fail += 1;
             parsed_any = true;
             continue;
@@ -220,17 +212,17 @@ fn run_testsuite(profile: &str) -> Result<i32, String> {
         if let Some((status, name)) = line.split_once('\t') {
             match status {
                 "PASS" => {
-                    println!("{} {}", "[PASS]".style(SUCCESS_ST), name);
+                    crate::utils::output::success(format!("Passed {name}"));
                     pass += 1;
                     parsed_any = true;
                 }
                 "SKIP" => {
-                    println!("{} {}", "[SKIP]".style(SKIP_ST), name);
+                    crate::utils::output::status("Skipped", name);
                     skip += 1;
                     parsed_any = true;
                 }
                 "FAIL" => {
-                    println!("{} {}", "[FAIL]".style(ERROR_ST), name);
+                    crate::utils::output::error(format!("Failed {name}"));
                     fail += 1;
                     parsed_any = true;
                 }
@@ -242,11 +234,11 @@ fn run_testsuite(profile: &str) -> Result<i32, String> {
     if !parsed_any {
         if suite_success {
             for name in &declared {
-                println!("{} {}", "[PASS]".style(SUCCESS_ST), name);
+                crate::utils::output::success(format!("Passed {name}"));
             }
             pass = declared.len() as i32;
         } else {
-            println!("{} testsuite", "[FAIL]".style(ERROR_ST));
+            crate::utils::output::error("testsuite failed");
             fail = 1;
         }
     }
@@ -257,16 +249,10 @@ fn run_testsuite(profile: &str) -> Result<i32, String> {
         declared.len() as i32
     };
 
-    println!();
-    sprintln!(BOLD_GREEN, "=====================");
-    sprintln!(BOLD_GREEN, "  Testsuite summary  ");
-    sprintln!(BOLD_GREEN, "=====================");
-    println!("TOTAL: {}", total);
-    print_field("PASS", pass, SUCCESS_ST);
-    print_field("SKIP", skip, SKIP_ST);
-    print_field("FAIL", fail, ERROR_ST);
-    sprintln!(BOLD_GREEN, "=====================");
-    sprintln!(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);
@@ -364,10 +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));
     }
 }
 
@@ -376,10 +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(())
 }
 
@@ -399,12 +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, style: Style) {
-    if value == 0 {
-        println!("{}:  {}", label, value);
-    } else {
-        sprintln!(style, "{}:  {}", label, value);
-    }
-}

src/cli/tree.rs

@@ -18,8 +18,6 @@
 use crate::prelude::*;
 
 use crate::core::build_config::Config;
-use crate::utils::cli_styles::{BOLD_CYAN, HELP_EXAMPLES_ST, HELP_SECTION_TITLE_ST};
-use crate::utils::log::sprintln;
 use std::collections::HashSet;
 use std::path::{Path, PathBuf};
 use toml::Value;
@@ -30,11 +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") {
-        sprintln!(HELP_SECTION_TITLE_ST, "USAGE:");
-        sprintln!(HELP_EXAMPLES_ST, "    dcr tree");
-        println!();
-        sprintln!(HELP_SECTION_TITLE_ST, "DESCRIPTION:");
-        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;
     }
 
@@ -56,7 +53,7 @@ pub fn tree(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
         .and_then(|v| v.as_str())
         .unwrap_or("0.0.0");
 
-    sprintln!(BOLD_CYAN, "{} v{}", name, version);
+    crate::utils::output::write_stdout_raw(&format!("{} v{}\n", name, version));
 
     let mut seen = HashSet::new();
     seen.insert(name.to_string());
@@ -138,7 +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

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());

src/main.rs

@@ -29,10 +29,15 @@ use prelude::*;
 /// 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 = 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();
 
-    let args: Vec<String> = std::env::args().collect();
-
     if args.len() < 2 {
         std::process::exit(cli::help::help());
     }

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)
     }
 }

src/utils/build.rs

@@ -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() {

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, "")
+    }
+}

src/utils/log.rs

@@ -15,55 +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 env_logger::{Builder, WriteStyle};
-use log::{Level, LevelFilter};
-use owo_colors::OwoColorize;
-use std::io::Write;
+use log::{LevelFilter, Log, Metadata, Record};
+
+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) {}
+}
 
 // A function for initializing the logging lib with basic settings.
 pub fn init() {
-    Builder::new()
-        .filter_level(LevelFilter::Warn)
-        .write_style(WriteStyle::Auto)
-        .format(|buf, record| {
-            let colored_lv = match record.level() {
-                Level::Error => record.level().red().to_string(),
-                Level::Warn => record.level().yellow().to_string(),
-                Level::Info => record.level().default_color().to_string(),
-                _ => record.level().purple().italic().to_string(),
-            };
-
-            writeln!(
-                buf,
-                "{}: {}",
-                colored_lv.to_lowercase().bold(),
-                record.args(),
-            )
-        })
-        .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
+    });
 }
-
-/// Prints message to stdout with the given `Style`. Copy of println! macro
-#[allow(unused_macros)]
-macro_rules! sprintln {
-    ($style:expr, $($arg:tt)*) => {
-        {
-            use ::owo_colors::OwoColorize as _;
-            println!("{}", format!($($arg)*).style($style));
-        }
-    };
-}
-
-/// Prints message to stdout with the given `Style`. Copy of print! macro
-#[allow(unused_macros)]
-macro_rules! sprint {
-    ($style:expr, $($arg:tt)*) => {
-        {
-            use ::owo_colors::OwoColorize as _;
-            print!("{}", format!($($arg)*).style($style));
-        }
-    };
-}
-
-#[allow(unused_imports)]
-pub(crate) use {sprint, sprintln};

src/utils/mod.rs

@@ -30,3 +30,5 @@ pub mod log;
 
 /// Text processing and manipulation helpers.
 pub mod cli_styles;
+pub mod help;
+pub mod output;

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");
+    }
+}

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
     );