Automating repetitive tasks with simple CLI commands

Most founders probably don’t think of their work as repetitive, since each task feels slightly different, whether it’s a new report, a fresh export, or a quick cleanup before sharing data. But over time, patterns usually start to emerge. Maybe you’re renaming the same types of files, moving the same data, or exporting and adjusting the same reports in similar ways.

Individually, these tasks likely feel small and manageable, which is exactly why you might continue to do them manually. But those small actions add up, and what started as a few minutes here and there can turn into hours of operational overhead each week, which pulls attention away from higher-value work.

If you’ve done something more than twice, it’s a candidate for automation. The command line interface (CLI) offers one of the simplest ways to help you turn repeated tasks into repeatable systems, without adding complexity.

So, what is a command line interface? CLI is a text-based way to interact with your computer using text commands. You use your keyboard to quickly enter commands, rather than clicking on icons with a mouse or trackpad. It’s a faster, more precise way to execute tasks you already understand, without the need for manual navigation.

You’re probably familiar with graphical user interfaces (GUIs), which are built on top of an operating system's core functionality. These include the more accessible windows, icons, and menus that we typically use each day. The CLI sits underneath, exposing the same system in text form.

CLIs offer different strengths than GUIs. CLIs are composable, scriptable, and repeatable. Instead of navigating folders, dragging files, or opening multiple applications, you type a specific instruction into a window or interface, and your system executes it as you wrote it. 

At its simplest, CLI works by pairing a command with a target. You tell your computer what to do and where, and, for example, which files or data the action should affect. There’s less ambiguity, fewer extra steps, and less reliance on remembering where something lives inside an application.

CLI doesn’t eliminate the need for tools in your workflow, but it can reduce friction for tasks that don’t require a full tool.

Many automation platforms come with setup overhead. You’ll need to configure workflows, connect systems, and, perhaps, learn a new interface before you see any benefit. CLI operates differently. It allows you to act immediately, using simple instructions that can be repeated as often as needed.

Even basic CLI commands can create leverage, meaning tasks that used to take several minutes can sometimes be completed in seconds. Processes that relied on manual input can become more consistent and repeatable. Small human errors that creep in through manual repetition can be reduced because the command runs the same way every time.

The real value for your organization will likely come from accumulation. Adding one small automation won’t change how your business operates, but several of them, applied to the right tasks, could begin to lessen time and effort spent on repetitive work. What starts as a time-saving tactic can turn into a more structured way of operating.

Tasks that are both familiar and frequent can be effectively automated. CLI provides a way to reduce drag without introducing additional layers of tooling.

Organizing files

Downloads, exports, receipts, and internal documents tend to accumulate quickly, often without a consistent structure. Renaming and sorting these files manually is tedious, but predictable. That makes file organization a good candidate for automation.

Formatting data

Formatting data is another repetitive task. You’ll often need to clean, filter, and adjust CSV files before they can be used. These steps are rarely complex, and they’re often repeated in exactly the same way.

Other recurring operational tasks

There are also operational tasks you and your team probably tend to on a recurring basis, such as exporting reports, preparing weekly updates, or running the same sequence of actions on a regular schedule. Individually, these tasks can feel small, but collectively, the repetition creates drag.

You don’t need to learn dozens of CLI commands to see value. A few simple patterns can go a long way, especially when applied consistently.

1. Batch renaming files

Renaming files one at a time is tedious and easy to get wrong. With CLI, you can apply a consistent naming pattern across multiple files in a single step. Instead of opening each file and editing it manually, you can define the naming convention once and apply it across the entire set.

Example CLI command: ‘rename ‘s/IMG_/photo_/’ .jpg’

2. Moving and organizing files

File organization can break down as more data accumulates, since manually sorting files into folders can be a laborious chore that’s easy to avoid. Using CLI, you can move files based on criteria that you specify, like file type or naming patterns. For example, CSV files could be routed into a reports folder, while PDFs are sent to a receipts archive.

Example CLI command: [add example here]

3. Filtering and cleaning data

Exported data usually requires some cleanup before it’s usable. To do so, you might remove rows, filter values, and strip out irrelevant information. CLI tools let you perform these actions directly, without opening a spreadsheet. You can search, filter, and transform data with simple commands, which speeds up analysis or reporting prep.

Example CLI command: [add example here]

4. Running repeated tasks

Some workflows are identical each time you run them. With CLI, you can save these sequences and execute them as a single action. Instead of repeating each step manually, you can run one command that performs the entire workflow.

Example CLI command: [add example here]

Once you’re familiar with individual commands, the next step is to combine them into simple scripts. A script is essentially a saved set of commands that runs in sequence, allowing multiple steps to be executed more efficiently.

Instead of thinking in terms of individual actions, you can think in terms of processes. A weekly reporting routine, for example, can be handled with a single command that organizes your files, prepares data, and generates outputs.

The underlying idea is straightforward: You’re turning steps into systems. Once you’ve built those systems, you can reuse them indefinitely, and maintain them with minimal effort.

When deciding how to use CLI in your startup operations, identify recurring tasks that repeat in predictable ways. For example:

• Streamlining weekly financial exports: Transaction histories, expense reports, and revenue summaries are often downloaded, renamed, and stored in consistent locations. CLI can significantly streamline these processes, reducing both the time required to complete this work and the risk of errors.
• Organizing, preparing, and cleaning up data: The same principle applies to organizing receipts and invoices, preparing reports, and cleaning datasets before analysis. These aren’t complex tasks, but they are consistent. That consistency is what makes them ideal candidates for lightweight automation.
• Working across centralized systems: Platforms like Mercury bring payments, invoicing, and spend management into a single system, which can create a clearer source of truth for financial data. So, you can use CLI commands to help you manage and organize that data more efficiently.

The most effective way to begin is to keep the scope small. There’s no need to build a complete system from the get-go. 

What to automate first

Choose a single task that you already perform regularly and look for a simple command that can handle it. Run the command, observe the result, and adjust, as needed. 

Remember, not every task is worth automating, and trying to do too much too quickly can create unnecessary complexity. Frequency multiplied by frustration equals an automation opportunity. So, tasks that happen often and feel tedious are the best place to start. These are tasks that are predictable and repeatable, and they can be improved even by a small amount of automation.

Keep iterating

Your confidence will develop through iteration, since each small success will make it feel easier to take the next step. So, to see progress, keep applying small improvements consistently over time.

As with any tool, how you use CLI will affect the benefits you’ll see, so be mindful of these common pitfalls:

• Automating too early: Automating too early can lock your team in inefficient processes, so it’s important to fully understand the task before optimizing it. 
• Building overcomplicated workflows: Making your workflows needlessly complicated is another risk. Instead, aim to simplify existing systems (not build elaborate alternatives).
• Neglecting to test: There’s also a practical consideration around testing. CLI commands execute as written, which means errors can have immediate consequences. Testing commands on a small set of files before applying them broadly can help you avoid unnecessary issues.

Founders can use CLI strategically to become more deliberate with how work gets done. By identifying repetitive tasks and replacing them with simple commands, you can reduce friction and build scalable workflows, without adding complexity. These small systems compound, so what once required time and attention can become more streamlined. This, in turn, can free up time and mental space for more meaningful work.

Mercury’s CLI lets you run these patterns against your account, so you can pull transactions, export statements, and kick off transfers, without leaving the terminal.