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SPECIFICTION
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gRPC CLI

grpc.github.io

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Spec score 8.1 #5 of 24 in gRPC Tools

What it is

gRPC CLI is a free, open-source command-line tool in the gRPC repository for inspecting services and calling remote methods. It can send unary RPCs, attach metadata to requests, display metadata received from a server, and handle common server authentication. With server reflection, it can list services and methods; when reflection is unavailable, local proto files can supply service definitions and request or response types. Requests can be read in proto text or wire form. Responses can be displayed as text or written to a file in wire form. Streaming RPC support is described as a desired capability, not part of the documented core functionality. The tool runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows, but must be built from repository source. The documented process uses CMake and the `make grpc_cli` build target. Its documentation describes the tool as not yet up to par in user-friendliness and says grpcurl is better maintained in its current state. The gRPC repository identifies its license as Apache-2.0.

Spec sheet

Purpose
gRPC CLI is a command-line tool included in the gRPC repository for interacting with gRPC servers.Read 7 Oct 2026 · grpc.github.io
Intended users
The documentation describes use by people inspecting gRPC services and calling remote methods from the command line.Read 7 Oct 2026 · grpc.github.io
Platforms
The documentation mentions Windows, Mac, and Linux in its proto-path instructions.Read 4 Oct 2026 · grpc.github.io
License
The gRPC repository identifies its license as Apache-2.0.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Alternative tool
The documentation says grpcurl is better maintained than this tool in its current state.Read 4 Oct 2026 · grpc.github.io
Authentication
The documented core functionality includes handling common authentication to a server.Read 4 Oct 2026 · grpc.github.io
Build and availability
The tool must be built from the gRPC repository source using CMake and the grpc_cli build target.Read 7 Oct 2026 · grpc.github.io
Build requirement
The documentation says the tool must be built from source and describes it as not yet up to par in user-friendliness.Read 4 Oct 2026 · grpc.github.io
Build system
The documented build procedure uses CMake and the command make grpc_cli.Read 4 Oct 2026 · grpc.github.io
Current maturity
The documentation says the tool is not yet up to par in user-friendliness and that grpcurl is better maintained.Read 7 Oct 2026 · grpc.github.io
Message formats
It can read proto requests in text or wire form, display proto responses in text, and write wire-form responses to a file.Read 7 Oct 2026 · grpc.github.io
Metadata and authentication
It can attach and display metadata and handle common server authentication.Read 7 Oct 2026 · grpc.github.io
Prerequisite
Most commands need server reflection, though local proto files can be used as an alternative.Read 7 Oct 2026 · grpc.github.io
Proto files
It can use local proto files to find request and response types when server reflection is unavailable.Read 7 Oct 2026 · grpc.github.io
RPC calls
It can send unary RPCs and display their responses.Read 7 Oct 2026 · grpc.github.io
Service discovery
It can list services and methods through server reflection, and infer request and response types from reflection results.Read 7 Oct 2026 · grpc.github.io
Streaming
The documentation lists streaming RPC support as a desired capability, rather than among the tool’s current core functionality.Read 4 Oct 2026 · grpc.github.io
Streaming support
Sending streaming RPCs is listed as a capability the tool should support, rather than among its current core functionality.Read 7 Oct 2026 · grpc.github.io

Plans and prices

gRPC CLI Free Build from source · unary RPC calls Read 7 Oct 2026 · grpc.github.io

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Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows.
  • Can list services and methods through server reflection.
  • Supports unary RPCs and metadata handling.
  • Local proto files can substitute when reflection is unavailable.

Limits

  • Must be built from source using CMake.
  • Streaming RPCs are not documented as core functionality.
  • Documentation says grpcurl is better maintained.

Who it suits

It suits developers who inspect gRPC services and call remote methods from the command line. Users need to build it from the gRPC repository source.

Verdict

gRPC CLI covers unary calls, metadata, authentication, and service inspection, but requires a source build. Its documentation flags limited user-friendliness and says streaming support remains a desired capability.

Where Specifiction places it

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