DeTree

DeTree is a small native command-line tool that turns an indented text list or JSON tree into directories and Markdown files. It is the Rust successor to the original Python implementation.

Why DeTree

• Single native executable (about 200 KB on Windows)
• No runtime dependencies
• Works with text lists and JSON
• Generates Markdown front matter and body content
• Builds for Windows, Linux, macOS, and Linux ARM64

Install

Download the binary for your platform from GitHub Releases, or install the current source with Cargo:

cargo install --git https://github.com/morganross/detree3 --bin detree

Usage

detree <input_file> <output_dir> [OPTIONS]

Options:
  --format <auto|text|json>   Input format (default: auto)
  --remove-digits             Remove leading digits from generated names
  --allow-empty-folders       Create folders for leaf nodes

Text input

Documentation
  Getting Started
    Installation
    Quick Start
  Reference
    Command Line

detree structure.txt ./docs

Nodes with children become directories containing index.md. Leaf nodes become Markdown files. A line containing ** is written as body content for the current node instead of becoming another file.

JSON input

[
  {
    "name": "Documentation",
    "type": "directory",
    "children": [
      {"name": "Getting Started", "type": "file", "body": "Welcome."}
    ]
  }
]

detree structure.json ./docs --format json

Development

DeTree requires Rust 1.81 or newer.

cargo fmt --check
cargo test --locked
cargo clippy --all-targets --all-features -- -D warnings
cargo build --release --locked

Generated Cargo output belongs in target/ and is not committed.

Security and data safety

DeTree processes local files and does not use the network. Generated names are sanitized before files are created. Use a new or backed-up output directory if you need to preserve existing files with colliding names.

Security reports should follow SECURITY.md.

License

MIT. See LICENSE.