Add CLI `--json` output flag

[Levi-Ojukwu]

Description:

The ILN CLI currently only outputs human-readable formatted text. This makes it difficult for scripts, automation tools, and other programs to consume CLI output programmatically. Adding a global --json flag would enable machine-readable output for all commands.

The CLI is built using the commander library in cli/src/index.ts. The program already accepts a --profile global option. The --json flag should follow the same pattern.

When --json is set:

• All commands output valid JSON to stdout
• Error messages are structured as { "error": "...", "code": "..." }
• Success responses include the full data payload
• No ANSI color codes or formatting

Affected commands (all in cli/src/commands/):

• status.ts — invoice status queries
• reputation.ts — reputation lookups
• submit.ts — invoice submission results
• fund.ts — funding results
• cancel.ts — cancellation results
• marketplace.ts — marketplace queries

Why it matters: JSON output enables CI/CD integration, automated testing, and building higher-level tools on top of the CLI. It's a standard feature for developer tools.

Acceptance Criteria:

• Add --json global flag to the CLI program in cli/src/index.ts
• Create a shared formatOutput(data, isJson) utility function
• Update all commands to use the utility
• Add tests verifying JSON output format for each command
• Ensure errors are also output as JSON when the flag is set

Relevant Files: cli/src/index.ts, cli/src/commands/status.ts, cli/src/commands/reputation.ts

---

[Okorie2000-code]

Hi Maintainer,

I'd like to work on this issue. I have experience building CLI tools and can submit a clean PR within 48 hours.

[Wilfred007]

Hi,

I'd like to take on this issue.

I have experience building and improving Node.js/TypeScript CLIs using Commander, including implementing machine-readable output for automation workflows.

For this task, I will:

Add a global --json flag in cli/src/index.ts, following the existing --profile option pattern.
Create a shared formatOutput(data, isJson) utility to centralize output formatting.
Update all CLI commands (status, reputation, submit, fund, cancel, and marketplace) to use the shared formatter.
Ensure successful responses output complete JSON payloads when --json is enabled.

Structure errors consistently as:

{
"error": "...",
"code": "..."
}
Disable ANSI colors and other human-readable formatting in JSON mode.
Add comprehensive tests covering both success and error cases for every affected command, verifying valid JSON output.

The implementation will preserve the current human-readable output by default while providing consistent, machine-readable responses for CI/CD pipelines, scripting, and automation.

I'd be happy to work on this issue and can submit a clean, well-tested PR that meets the acceptance criteria.

[grantfox-oss]

🦊 GrantFox — @Wilfred007 has been assigned to this issue as part of the Official Campaign | FWC26 campaign!

Next steps:

1. Open a Pull Request referencing this issue (e.g., Closes #409)
2. Your PR will be reviewed by the Invoice-Liquidity-Network maintainers

Good luck! Track your progress on GrantFox.