CLI tools succeed when they automate a repetitive developer task that currently requires copying snippets or writing throwaway scripts. StartSeed generates ideas scoped to one terminal workflow, one developer audience and one open-core or paid model.
A database-seed faker that reads your schema and generates realistic test data respecting foreign keys and constraints. Open-source with enterprise support at $149/month. It could be called Seedgen.
A git-branch hygiene linter that flags stale branches, unmerged PRs and naming violations before they pile up. Free for solo devs, $5/user/month for teams. It could be called Branchlint.
A terminal session-share tool that lets you broadcast a live shell to a URL without installing anything on the viewer's side. Freemium with a Pro plan at $8/month for private rooms. It could be called Shellcast.
Publish the tool on npm or Homebrew with a --help that explains itself. If developers star it and open issues, you have a community.
A task developers do weekly, a clear input/output contract, and a distribution channel (npm, Homebrew, cargo) where your audience already looks.
Open-core works well: free CLI, paid team features or support. Pure open-source is fine for reputation, but plan how you'll sustain it.