From e788dc921e9314d9460a08c6b07290425e07e467 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: thatonevikash <vikashloharjsr@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 11 Sep 2026 13:37:45 +0530
Subject: [PATCH] feat(cli): simplify nova startup commands

---
 README.md   | 14 ++++++++++----
 bin/nova.js | 19 ++++++++++++-------
 2 files changed, 22 insertions(+), 11 deletions(-)

diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index c4cacb3..a57351e 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -23,10 +23,10 @@ npm link
 
 ---
 
-## Activate
+## Start
 
 ```bash
-nova --activate
+nova
 ```
 
 On first run, NOVA will ask for your **Anthropic/GenAI API key** and save it to `~/.nova/config.json`. You won't be asked again.
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ On first run, NOVA will ask for your **Anthropic/GenAI API key** and save it to
 ## Example session
 
 ```
-$ nova --activate
+$ nova
 
   -
   > Hello, vikash. I'm 'NOVA'
@@ -92,7 +92,13 @@ To reset and re-enter your API key:
 
 ```bash
 rm ~/.nova/config.json
-nova --activate
+nova
+```
+
+To launch NOVA's development environment:
+
+```bash
+nova --dev
 ```
 
 ---
diff --git a/bin/nova.js b/bin/nova.js
index 0b79258..2914e0f 100644
--- a/bin/nova.js
+++ b/bin/nova.js
@@ -2,13 +2,18 @@
 
 const args = process.argv.slice(2);
 
-if (args.includes("--activate")) {
+const reportError = (err) => {
+  console.error("\n  ✗ " + err.message + "\n");
+  process.exitCode = 1;
+};
+
+if (args.length === 0) {
   const { activate } = await import("../src/index.js");
-  await activate().catch((err) => {
-    console.error("\n  ✗ " + err.message + "\n");
-    process.exit(1);
-  });
+  await activate().catch(reportError);
+} else if (args.length === 1 && args[0] === "--dev") {
+  const { devMode } = await import("../.development/index.js");
+  await devMode().catch(reportError);
 } else {
-  console.log("\n  Usage: nova --activate\n");
-  process.exit(0);
+  console.error("\n  Usage: nova [--dev]\n");
+  process.exitCode = 1;
 }