Chcat is a simple filter that reads the standard input or a file, invokes a text editor and writes the result to standard output.
It is used to edit text files, usually templates of some kind, to change some values for a single operation but preserve the original.
Post a json template to a rest endpoint
chcat request.json | curl -d @- http://host/operations
Render a template
chcat data.yml | mustache - template.mustache
Chcat is tested with go 1.18 on debian linux.
go install github.com/anastasop/chcat@latest
It can be implemented easily as an oneline script cat && vi && cat but using Go makes distribution, installation and evolution easier.
It cannot be used with process substitution like cat <(chcat file). Most shells close the stdin for process substitution.
Failed with bash and ksh, worked only with plan9 rc.
Chcat is licensed under the GPL.