xlflow new

Create a new xlflow project and macro-enabled workbook or Excel add-in.

Usage

xlflow new [workbook] [--with-skill] [--agent <provider>] [--no-update-check]

Options and Arguments

Option / argument	Description	Default
workbook	Workbook filename or project name. .xlsm is appended when omitted. Explicit .xlsm, .xlam, and .xlsb are accepted.	Book.xlsm
--with-skill	Install the bundled AI-agent skill after scaffolding.	false
--agent <provider>	Select the target agent skill provider, such as codex.	-
--no-update-check	Skip the startup update check.	false

Examples

xlflow new Sales
xlflow new Sales.xlsm
xlflow new SalesAddin.xlam
xlflow new LargeModel.xlsb
xlflow new Sales.xlsm --with-skill --agent codex --json

Notes

TIP

Use --with-skill --agent codex when the project will be maintained primarily by an AI coding agent.

WARNING

The generated workbook must use .xlsm, .xlam, or .xlsb so Excel can preserve VBA components. Omit the extension only when you want the default .xlsm project format.

For .xlam projects, new creates the add-in file in the project's build/ directory only. It does not install or register the add-in in Excel.

For .xlsb projects, xlflow uses Excel COM/VBIDE for VBA synchronization and creates the workbook with Excel file format 50. Direct OOXML worksheet features such as formula snapshots, workbook cell diff, and pure-Go pack do not support .xlsb.

new uses the .NET bridge on Windows in auto mode.

JSON Output Example

Successful --json output uses the xlflow envelope plus command-specific fields.

{
  "status": "ok",
  "command": "new",
  "workbook": "build/SalesAddin.xlam",
  "source_root": "src",
  "created": ["xlflow.toml", "src/modules/Main.bas"]
}

Related

• init
• doctor
• skill