Refactor output code, add JSON, TSV and YAML output modes, add -o (#19), add version subcommand

.gitignore

@@ -26,3 +26,7 @@ go.work.sum
 .env
 
 esctl
+
+*.sh
+*.json
+*.log

Makefile

@@ -23,11 +23,24 @@ UID       = root
 GID       = 0
 HAVE_POD := $(shell pod2text -h 2>/dev/null)
 
+BRANCH          = $(shell git branch --show-current)
+COMMIT          = $(shell git rev-parse --short=8 HEAD)
+BUILD           = $(shell date +%Y.%m.%d.%H%M%S) 
+GOVERSION       = $(shell grep -E "^go" go.mod | cut -d' ' -f2)
+APIVERSION      = $(shell grep github.com/elastic/go-elasticsearch go.mod | cut -d' ' -f2)
+
+
 all: buildlocal
 
 
 buildlocal:
-	CGO_LDFLAGS='-static' go build -tags osusergo,netgo -ldflags "-extldflags=-static" -o $(tool)
+	CGO_LDFLAGS='-static' go build -tags osusergo,netgo -ldflags "-extldflags=-static" \
+     -ldflags "-X codeberg.org/scip/esctl/pkg/cfg.BRANCH=$(BRANCH) \
+               -X codeberg.org/scip/esctl/pkg/cfg.COMMIT=$(COMMIT) \
+			   -X codeberg.org/scip/esctl/pkg/cfg.GOVERSION=$(GOVERSION) \
+			   -X codeberg.org/scip/esctl/pkg/cfg.APIVERSION=$(APIVERSION) \
+			   -X codeberg.org/scip/esctl/pkg/cfg.BUILD=$(BUILD)" \
+     -o $(tool)
 	strip $(tool)
 
 install: buildlocal

README.md

@@ -6,30 +6,53 @@ Elasticsearch CLI
 
 ## Usage
 
+Command tree
+
 ```console
-NAME:
+ ccr
-   esctl - manage elasticsearch from cli
+     follower
-
+         add
-USAGE:
+         delete
-   esctl [global options] [command [command options]]
+         pause
-
+         renew
-VERSION:
+         resume
-   v0.0.4
+         show
-
+         unfollow
-COMMANDS:
+     info
-   search, /       search within an index
+     pause
-   index, i        manage indicies
+     resume
-   snapshot, snap  manage snapshots
+     status
-   cluster, c      manage cluster[s]
+ cluster
-   node, snap      manage nodes
+     list
-   help, h         Shows a list of commands or help for one command
+     settings
-
+         list
-GLOBAL OPTIONS:
+         set
-   --debug, -d                  enable debugging [$ES_DEBUG]
+     status
-   --config string, -c string   config file [$ES_CONFIG]
+ doc
-   --cluster string, -C string  cluster alias to work with
+     add
-   --help, -h                   show help
+ help
-   --version, -v                print the version
+ index
+     alias
+         create
+         list
+     allocation
+     close
+     create
+     delete
+     list
+     modify
+     show
+ node
+     list
+     show
+ repl
+ search
+ shard
+     list
+     show
+ snapshot
+     list
+     show
 ```
 
 Configure `esctl` with environment variables:

cmd/index.go

@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ package cmd
 
 import (
 	"context"
+	"errors"
 	"fmt"
 
 	"codeberg.org/scip/esctl/pkg/cfg"
@@ -39,6 +40,8 @@ func Index(conf *cfg.Config) *cli.Command {
 			IndexDelete(conf),
 			IndexClose(conf),
 			IndexAllocation(conf),
+			IndexModify(conf),
+			IndexAlias(conf),
 		},
 	}
 }
@@ -68,6 +71,12 @@ func IndexList(conf *cfg.Config) *cli.Command {
 				Destination: &conf.Failed,
 				Aliases:     []string{"r"},
 			},
+			&cli.StringSliceFlag{
+				Name:        "filter",
+				Usage:       "show only indicies matching the filter",
+				Destination: &conf.Filter,
+				Aliases:     []string{"F"},
+			},
 		},
 
 		Action: func(ctx context.Context, cmd *cli.Command) error {
@@ -98,6 +107,11 @@ func IndexAllocation(conf *cfg.Config) *cli.Command {
 		},
 
 		Action: func(ctx context.Context, cmd *cli.Command) error {
+			index := cmd.Args().Get(0)
+			if index == "" {
+				return errors.New("no index specified")
+			}
+
 			return es.IndexAllocation(conf, cmd.Args().Get(0))
 		},
 	}
@@ -110,6 +124,11 @@ func IndexShow(conf *cfg.Config) *cli.Command {
 		Usage:   "show details about an index",
 
 		Action: func(ctx context.Context, cmd *cli.Command) error {
+			index := cmd.Args().Get(0)
+			if index == "" {
+				return errors.New("no index specified")
+			}
+
 			return es.IndexShow(conf, cmd.Args().Get(0))
 		},
 
@@ -180,6 +199,11 @@ func IndexDelete(conf *cfg.Config) *cli.Command {
 		Usage:   "delete an index",
 
 		Action: func(ctx context.Context, cmd *cli.Command) error {
+			index := cmd.Args().Get(0)
+			if index == "" {
+				return errors.New("no index specified")
+			}
+
 			return es.IndexDelete(conf, cmd.Args().Get(0))
 		},
 	}
@@ -191,7 +215,38 @@ func IndexClose(conf *cfg.Config) *cli.Command {
 		Usage: "close an index",
 
 		Action: func(ctx context.Context, cmd *cli.Command) error {
+			index := cmd.Args().Get(0)
+			if index == "" {
+				return errors.New("no index specified")
+			}
+
 			return es.IndexClose(conf, cmd.Args().Get(0))
 		},
 	}
 }
+
+func IndexModify(conf *cfg.Config) *cli.Command {
+	return &cli.Command{
+		Name:      "modify",
+		Usage:     "modify an index",
+		UsageText: "modify <index[,index,...]|_all>",
+
+		Flags: []cli.Flag{
+			&cli.IntFlag{
+				Name:        "replicas",
+				Usage:       "number of replicas",
+				Destination: &conf.Replicas,
+				Aliases:     []string{"r"},
+			},
+		},
+
+		Action: func(ctx context.Context, cmd *cli.Command) error {
+			index := cmd.Args().Get(0)
+			if index == "" {
+				return errors.New("no index specified")
+			}
+
+			return es.IndexModify(conf, index)
+		},
+	}
+}

cmd/index_alias.go

@@ -0,0 +1,84 @@
+/*
+Copyright © 2026 Thomas von Dein
+
+This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+(at your option) any later version.
+
+This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+GNU General Public License for more details.
+
+You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+along with this program. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+*/
+package cmd
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"errors"
+
+	"codeberg.org/scip/esctl/pkg/cfg"
+	"codeberg.org/scip/esctl/pkg/es"
+
+	"github.com/urfave/cli/v3"
+)
+
+func IndexAlias(conf *cfg.Config) *cli.Command {
+	return &cli.Command{
+		Name:    "alias",
+		Aliases: []string{"a"},
+		Usage:   "manage index aliases",
+
+		Commands: []*cli.Command{
+			IndexAliasCreate(conf),
+			IndexAliasList(conf),
+			//IndexAliasShow(conf),
+			//IndexAliasDelete(conf),
+			//IndexAliasAdd(conf), // see https://www.elastic.co/docs/api/doc/elasticsearch/operation/operation-indices-update-aliases
+		},
+	}
+}
+
+func IndexAliasCreate(conf *cfg.Config) *cli.Command {
+	return &cli.Command{
+		Name:      "create",
+		Aliases:   []string{"+"},
+		Usage:     "create an index alias",
+		UsageText: "create <index> <alias>",
+
+		Action: func(ctx context.Context, cmd *cli.Command) error {
+			index := cmd.Args().Get(0)
+			alias := cmd.Args().Get(1)
+
+			if index == "" || alias == "" {
+				return errors.New("no index or alias specified")
+			}
+
+			return es.IndexAliasCreate(conf, index, alias)
+		},
+	}
+}
+
+func IndexAliasList(conf *cfg.Config) *cli.Command {
+	return &cli.Command{
+		Name:    "list",
+		Aliases: []string{"ls"},
+		Usage:   "list index aliases",
+
+		Flags: []cli.Flag{
+			&cli.StringSliceFlag{
+				Name:        "filter",
+				Usage:       "show only aliases for indicies matching the filter",
+				Destination: &conf.Filter,
+				Aliases:     []string{"F"},
+			},
+		},
+
+		Action: func(ctx context.Context, cmd *cli.Command) error {
+			return es.IndexAliasList(conf)
+		},
+	}
+}

cmd/root.go

@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ func Main() int {
 	cmd := &cli.Command{
 		Name:  "esctl",
 		Usage: "manage elasticsearch from cli",
-		Version:               cfg.Version,
+		//Version:               cfg.Version,
 		EnableShellCompletion: true,
 
 		Flags: []cli.Flag{
@@ -69,17 +69,26 @@ func Main() int {
 				Usage:       "cluster alias to work with",
 				Destination: &conf.CurrentCluster,
 			},
+			&cli.StringFlag{
+				Name:        "output",
+				Aliases:     []string{"o"},
+				Value:       "",
+				Usage:       "output mode (tsv, markdown, json, yaml) default: tsv",
+				Destination: &conf.Output,
+			},
 		},
 
 		Commands: []*cli.Command{
 			Search(conf),
-			Index(conf),
-			Snapshot(conf),
 			Cluster(conf),
 			Ccr(conf),
+			Index(conf),
+			Shard(conf),
+			Snapshot(conf),
 			Node(conf),
 			Doc(conf),
 			Repl(conf),
+			Version(conf),
 		},
 
 		Before: func(ctx context.Context, cmd *cli.Command) (context.Context, error) {
@@ -100,3 +109,16 @@ func Main() int {
 
 	return Finish(cmd.Run(context.Background(), os.Args))
 }
+
+func Version(conf *cfg.Config) *cli.Command {
+	return &cli.Command{
+		Name:  "version",
+		Usage: "show esctl version information",
+
+		Action: func(ctx context.Context, cmd *cli.Command) error {
+			_, err := fmt.Printf("esctl version: %s\n  build: %s\n  branch: %s\n  commit: %s\n  go version: %s\n  API Version: %s\n",
+				cfg.Version, cfg.BUILD, cfg.BRANCH, cfg.COMMIT, cfg.GOVERSION, cfg.APIVERSION)
+			return err
+		},
+	}
+}

cmd/shards.go

@@ -0,0 +1,96 @@
+/*
+Copyright © 2026 Thomas von Dein
+
+This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+(at your option) any later version.
+
+This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+GNU General Public License for more details.
+
+You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+along with this program. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+*/
+package cmd
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"errors"
+
+	"codeberg.org/scip/esctl/pkg/cfg"
+	"codeberg.org/scip/esctl/pkg/es"
+
+	"github.com/urfave/cli/v3"
+)
+
+func Shard(conf *cfg.Config) *cli.Command {
+	return &cli.Command{
+		Name:    "shard",
+		Aliases: []string{"s"},
+		Usage:   "manage shards",
+
+		Commands: []*cli.Command{
+			ShardList(conf),
+			ShardShow(conf),
+		},
+	}
+}
+
+func ShardList(conf *cfg.Config) *cli.Command {
+	return &cli.Command{
+		Name:    "list",
+		Aliases: []string{"ls"},
+		Usage:   "list shards",
+
+		Flags: []cli.Flag{
+			&cli.IntFlag{
+				Name:        "max",
+				Usage:       "max number of items to process",
+				Destination: &conf.MaxItems,
+				Aliases:     []string{"m"},
+			},
+			&cli.BoolFlag{
+				Name:        "reds",
+				Usage:       "include only failed shards",
+				Destination: &conf.Failed,
+				Aliases:     []string{"r"},
+			},
+			&cli.BoolFlag{
+				Name:        "primaries",
+				Usage:       "show only primary shards",
+				Destination: &conf.Primary,
+				Aliases:     []string{"p"},
+			},
+			&cli.BoolFlag{
+				Name:        "verbose",
+				Usage:       "show node name and ip as well",
+				Destination: &conf.Verbose,
+				Aliases:     []string{"v"},
+			},
+		},
+
+		Action: func(ctx context.Context, cmd *cli.Command) error {
+			return es.ShardList(conf)
+		},
+	}
+}
+
+func ShardShow(conf *cfg.Config) *cli.Command {
+	return &cli.Command{
+		Name:    "show",
+		Aliases: []string{"sh"},
+		Usage:   "show details about a shard",
+
+		Action: func(ctx context.Context, cmd *cli.Command) error {
+			index := cmd.Args().Get(0)
+			if index == "" {
+				return errors.New("no index specified")
+			}
+
+			return es.ShardShow(conf, index)
+		},
+	}
+}

commandtree.sh

@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+
+getcommands() {
+    local command
+    command="$*"
+
+    if ! test "$command" = "help"; then
+        ./esctl $command -h | sed -e '/^COMMANDS:/,/^$/!d;//d' -e 's/^   //' -e 's/[, ].*//' | sort
+    fi
+}
+
+printcommands() {
+    local indent basecommand commands command
+    indent="$1"
+    basecommand="$2"
+    commands="$3"
+
+    for command in $commands; do
+        echo "$indent" "$command"
+
+        commands=$(getcommands $basecommand $command)
+        
+        if test -n "$commands"; then
+            printcommands "${indent}    " "$basecommand $command" "$commands"
+        fi
+    done
+}
+
+
+commands=$(getcommands "")
+printcommands "" "" "$commands"

pkg/cfg/config.go

@@ -31,7 +31,11 @@ import (
 )
 
 const (
-	Version string = `v0.0.10`
+	Version string = `v0.0.12`
+)
+
+var (
+	APIVERSION, GOVERSION, BUILD, COMMIT, BRANCH string
 )
 
 type Cluster struct {
@@ -43,6 +47,7 @@ type Config struct {
 	ConfigFile                     string // -c
 	CurrentCluster                 string // -C
 	Debug                          bool   // -d
+	Output                         string // -o <mode>
 	Clusters                       map[string]*Cluster
 	DefaultCluster                 *Cluster
 	Index                          string   // index: -i

pkg/es/ccr.go

@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ import (
 	"log/slog"
 
 	"codeberg.org/scip/esctl/pkg/cfg"
+    "codeberg.org/scip/esctl/pkg/printer"
 	"github.com/elastic/go-elasticsearch/v9/typedapi/types"
 )
 
@@ -115,10 +116,10 @@ func CcrRemoteInfo(conf *cfg.Config, index string) error {
 		mode = "leader"
 	}
 
-	table := NewTable(2, 5)
+	table := printer.NewTable(conf, 2, 5)
 	table.Addheaders("ccr remote property", "value")
 
-	table.entries = [][]string{
+	table.Entries = [][]string{
 		{"Remote Cluster", remote},
 		{"CCR Mode", mode},
 		{"Connected", fmt.Sprintf("%t", info.Connected)},
@@ -126,7 +127,7 @@ func CcrRemoteInfo(conf *cfg.Config, index string) error {
 		{"Proxy Address", info.ProxyAddress},
 	}
 
-	if err := table.PrintMarkdown(); err != nil {
+	if err := table.Print(); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 

pkg/es/ccr_follower.go

@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ import (
 	"log/slog"
 
 	"codeberg.org/scip/esctl/pkg/cfg"
+    "codeberg.org/scip/esctl/pkg/printer"
 )
 
 func getRemoteName(conf *cfg.Config) (string, error) {
@@ -175,10 +176,10 @@ func CcrFollowerShow(conf *cfg.Config, index string) error {
 
 	follower := res.Indices[0].Shards[0]
 
-	table := NewTable(2, 9)
+	table := printer.NewTable(conf, 2, 9)
 	table.Addheaders("ccr follower property", "value")
 
-	table.entries = [][]string{
+	table.Entries = [][]string{
 		{"name", index},
 		{"remote_cluster", follower.RemoteCluster},
 		{"leader_checkpoint", fmt.Sprintf("%d", follower.LeaderGlobalCheckpoint)},
@@ -190,7 +191,7 @@ func CcrFollowerShow(conf *cfg.Config, index string) error {
 		{"successful_write_requests", fmt.Sprintf("%d", follower.SuccessfulWriteRequests)},
 	}
 
-	if err := table.PrintMarkdown(); err != nil {
+	if err := table.Print(); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 

pkg/es/cluster.go

@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ import (
 	"sync"
 
 	"codeberg.org/scip/esctl/pkg/cfg"
+	"codeberg.org/scip/esctl/pkg/printer"
 	"github.com/dustin/go-humanize"
 	"github.com/elastic/go-elasticsearch/v9/typedapi/ccr/stats"
 	"github.com/elastic/go-elasticsearch/v9/typedapi/cluster/health"
@@ -52,7 +53,7 @@ type apiResponse struct {
 }
 
 func ClusterList(conf *cfg.Config) error {
-	table := NewTable(3, len(conf.Clusters))
+	table := printer.NewTable(conf, 3, len(conf.Clusters))
 
 	table.Addheaders("cluster", "uri", "default")
 
@@ -76,13 +77,13 @@ func ClusterList(conf *cfg.Config) error {
 			Do(context.Background())
 
 		if err == nil {
-			name = Colorize("green", name)
+			name = printer.Colorize(conf, "green", name)
 		}
 
-		table.entries[idx] = []string{name, cluster.Uri, fmt.Sprintf("%t", current)}
+		table.Entries[idx] = []string{name, cluster.Uri, fmt.Sprintf("%t", current)}
 	}
 
-	if err := table.PrintMarkdown(); err != nil {
+	if err := table.Print(); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
@@ -162,11 +163,11 @@ func ClusterStatus(conf *cfg.Config) error {
 			)
 		}
 
-		table := NewTable(2, 5)
+		table := printer.NewTable(conf, 2, 5)
 		table.Addheaders(cluster, "status")
 
-		table.entries = [][]string{
+		table.Entries = [][]string{
-			{"Cluster Name", Colorize(clusterhealth.Status.Name, clusterhealth.ClusterName)},
+			{"Cluster Name", printer.Colorize(conf, clusterhealth.Status.Name, clusterhealth.ClusterName)},
 			{"ES Version", info.Version.Int},
 			{"Active Shards", fmt.Sprintf("%d", clusterhealth.ActiveShards)},
 			{"Active Primary Shards", fmt.Sprintf("%d", clusterhealth.ActivePrimaryShards)},
@@ -178,7 +179,7 @@ func ClusterStatus(conf *cfg.Config) error {
 			table = gatherClusterStats(conf, clusterstats, table)
 		}
 
-		if err := table.PrintMarkdown(); err != nil {
+		if err := table.Print(); err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
 	}
@@ -186,7 +187,7 @@ func ClusterStatus(conf *cfg.Config) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
-func gatherClusterStats(conf *cfg.Config, clusterstats *clusterstats.Response, table *Table) *Table {
+func gatherClusterStats(conf *cfg.Config, clusterstats *clusterstats.Response, table *printer.Table) *printer.Table {
 	var querycount int64
 	var vmversion string
 
@@ -202,7 +203,7 @@ func gatherClusterStats(conf *cfg.Config, clusterstats *clusterstats.Response, t
 
 	isleader := checkClusterIsLeader(conf, conf.CurrentCluster)
 
-	table.entries = append(table.entries, [][]string{
+	table.Entries = append(table.Entries, [][]string{
 		{"Indicies", fmt.Sprintf("%d", clusterstats.Indices.Count)},
 		{"Is Leader", fmt.Sprintf("%t", isleader)},
 		{"Docs", fmt.Sprintf("%d", clusterstats.Indices.Docs.Count)},

pkg/es/cluster_settings.go

@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ import (
 	"log/slog"
 
 	"codeberg.org/scip/esctl/pkg/cfg"
+    "codeberg.org/scip/esctl/pkg/printer"
 	"github.com/urfave/cli/v3"
 )
 
@@ -65,7 +66,7 @@ func ClusterSettingsList(conf *cfg.Config) error {
 		return fmt.Errorf("failed to get cluster settings: %s", err)
 	}
 
-	table := NewTable(2, 0)
+	table := printer.NewTable(conf, 2, 0)
 	table.Addheaders("setting", "value")
 	entries := [][]string{}
 
@@ -94,10 +95,10 @@ func ClusterSettingsList(conf *cfg.Config) error {
 		}
 	}
 
-	table.entries = entries
+	table.Entries = entries
 	table.Sort()
 
-	if err := table.PrintMarkdown(); err != nil {
+	if err := table.Print(); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 

pkg/es/cluster_util.go

@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ import (
 	"sync"
 
 	"codeberg.org/scip/esctl/pkg/cfg"
+    "codeberg.org/scip/esctl/pkg/printer"
 	"github.com/elastic/go-elasticsearch/v9"
 	"github.com/elastic/go-elasticsearch/v9/typedapi/cluster/health"
 	"github.com/elastic/go-elasticsearch/v9/typedapi/types"
@@ -74,14 +75,14 @@ func checkClusterStatus(conf *cfg.Config, leader, follower string) bool {
 		status[cluster] = st
 	}
 
-	table := NewTable(3, 5)
+	table := printer.NewTable(conf, 3, 5)
 
 	table.Addheaders("setting", "leader:"+leader, "follower:"+follower)
 
-	table.entries = [][]string{
+	table.Entries = [][]string{
 		{"Cluster Name",
-			Colorize(status[leader].Status.Name, status[leader].ClusterName),
+			printer.Colorize(conf, status[leader].Status.Name, status[leader].ClusterName),
-			Colorize(status[follower].Status.Name, status[follower].ClusterName),
+			printer.Colorize(conf, status[follower].Status.Name, status[follower].ClusterName),
 		},
 		{"Active Shards",
 			fmt.Sprintf("%d", status[leader].ActiveShards),
@@ -101,7 +102,7 @@ func checkClusterStatus(conf *cfg.Config, leader, follower string) bool {
 		},
 	}
 
-	if err := table.PrintMarkdown(); err != nil {
+	if err := table.Print(); err != nil {
 		fmt.Println(err)
 		return false
 	}
@@ -151,17 +152,17 @@ func findIlmErrors(conf *cfg.Config, leader, follower string) bool {
 
 		if len(failed[cluster]) > 0 {
 			idx := 0
-			table := NewTable(2, len(failed[cluster]))
+			table := printer.NewTable(conf, 2, len(failed[cluster]))
 			table.Addheaders("ilm errors on "+which, "errors")
 
 			for name, count := range failed[cluster] {
-				table.entries[idx] = []string{name, count}
+				table.Entries[idx] = []string{name, count}
 				idx++
 			}
 
 			table.Sort()
 
-			if err := table.PrintMarkdown(); err != nil {
+			if err := table.Print(); err != nil {
 				fmt.Println(err)
 				return false
 			}
@@ -223,18 +224,18 @@ func findIndicesOnlyOnLeader(conf *cfg.Config, indices ClusterIndices, leader, f
 	}
 
 	idx := 0
-	table := NewTable(3, len(indexOnlyOnLeader))
+	table := printer.NewTable(conf, 3, len(indexOnlyOnLeader))
 	table.Addheaders("index only on leader", "size", "docscount")
 
 	for name, index := range indexOnlyOnLeader {
-		name := Colorize("red", name)
+		name := printer.Colorize(conf, "red", name)
 
-		table.entries[idx] = []string{name, *index.DatasetSize, *index.DocsCount}
+		table.Entries[idx] = []string{name, *index.DatasetSize, *index.DocsCount}
 		idx++
 	}
 
 	table.Sort()
-	if err := table.PrintMarkdown(); err != nil {
+	if err := table.Print(); err != nil {
 		fmt.Println(err)
 		return false
 	}
@@ -273,18 +274,18 @@ func findOrphanedIndices(conf *cfg.Config, indices ClusterIndices, leader, follo
 	}
 
 	idx := 0
-	table := NewTable(3, len(orphaned))
+	table := printer.NewTable(conf, 3, len(orphaned))
 	table.Addheaders("orphaned index on follower", "size", "docscount")
 
 	for name, index := range orphaned {
-		name := Colorize("red", name)
+		name := printer.Colorize(conf, "red", name)
 
-		table.entries[idx] = []string{name, *index.DatasetSize, *index.DocsCount}
+		table.Entries[idx] = []string{name, *index.DatasetSize, *index.DocsCount}
 		idx++
 	}
 
 	table.Sort()
-	if err := table.PrintMarkdown(); err != nil {
+	if err := table.Print(); err != nil {
 		fmt.Println(err)
 		return false
 	}
@@ -307,18 +308,18 @@ func findFailedFollowerIndices(conf *cfg.Config, indices ClusterIndices, followe
 	}
 
 	idx := 0
-	table := NewTable(3, len(red))
+	table := printer.NewTable(conf, 3, len(red))
 	table.Addheaders("red index on follower", "size", "docscount")
 
 	for name, index := range red {
-		name := Colorize("red", name)
+		name := printer.Colorize(conf, "red", name)
 
-		table.entries[idx] = []string{name, *index.DatasetSize, *index.DocsCount}
+		table.Entries[idx] = []string{name, *index.DatasetSize, *index.DocsCount}
 		idx++
 	}
 
 	table.Sort()
-	if err := table.PrintMarkdown(); err != nil {
+	if err := table.Print(); err != nil {
 		fmt.Println(err)
 		return false
 	}

pkg/es/index.go

@@ -20,11 +20,14 @@ import (
 	"context"
 	"fmt"
 	"log/slog"
+	"regexp"
 	"strconv"
 	"strings"
 	"time"
 
 	"codeberg.org/scip/esctl/pkg/cfg"
+	"codeberg.org/scip/esctl/pkg/printer"
+	"github.com/elastic/go-elasticsearch/v9/typedapi/cat/indices"
 	"github.com/elastic/go-elasticsearch/v9/typedapi/esdsl"
 	"github.com/elastic/go-elasticsearch/v9/typedapi/types/enums/healthstatus"
 )
@@ -48,6 +51,24 @@ func IndexNames(conf *cfg.Config) ([]string, error) {
 	return indices, nil
 }
 
+func filterIndices(conf *cfg.Config, list indices.Response) indices.Response {
+	if len(conf.Filter) == 0 {
+		return list
+	}
+
+	// we support just one filter here, for now
+	filter := *regexp.MustCompile(conf.Filter[0])
+	newlist := indices.Response{}
+
+	for _, index := range list {
+		if filter.MatchString(*index.Index) {
+			newlist = append(newlist, index)
+		}
+	}
+
+	return newlist
+}
+
 func IndexList(conf *cfg.Config) error {
 	cat := conf.DefaultCluster.ES.Cat.Indices().
 		// we need to add custom request headers, required for older ES instances
@@ -65,7 +86,9 @@ func IndexList(conf *cfg.Config) error {
 
 	slog.Debug("ES result", "indicies", res)
 
-	size := len(res)
+	list := filterIndices(conf, res)
+
+	size := len(list)
 
 	if conf.MaxItems > 0 {
 		if size > conf.MaxItems {
@@ -73,13 +96,13 @@ func IndexList(conf *cfg.Config) error {
 		}
 	}
 
-	table := NewTable(3, size)
+	table := printer.NewTable(conf, 3, size)
 	table.Addheaders("name", "size", "docscount")
 
-	for idx, index := range res {
+	for idx, index := range list {
-		name := Colorize(*index.Health, *index.Index)
+		name := printer.Colorize(conf, *index.Health, *index.Index)
 
-		table.entries[idx] = []string{name, *index.DatasetSize, *index.DocsCount}
+		table.Entries[idx] = []string{name, *index.DatasetSize, *index.DocsCount}
 
 		if idx == size-1 {
 			break
@@ -87,7 +110,7 @@ func IndexList(conf *cfg.Config) error {
 	}
 
 	table.Sort()
-	if err := table.PrintMarkdown(); err != nil {
+	if err := table.Print(); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
@@ -95,10 +118,6 @@ func IndexList(conf *cfg.Config) error {
 }
 
 func IndexShow(conf *cfg.Config, index string) error {
-	if index == "" {
-		return fmt.Errorf("no index specified")
-	}
-
 	res, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES.Indices.Get(index).
 		// we need to add custom request headers, required for older ES instances
 		Header("content-type", "application/json").
@@ -110,7 +129,7 @@ func IndexShow(conf *cfg.Config, index string) error {
 
 	slog.Debug("ES result", "index", res)
 
-	table := NewTable(2, 5)
+	table := printer.NewTable(conf, 2, 5)
 	table.Addheaders("index property", "value")
 
 	ts, err := strconv.ParseInt(res[index].Settings.Index.CreationDate.(string), 10, 64)
@@ -120,7 +139,7 @@ func IndexShow(conf *cfg.Config, index string) error {
 
 	created := time.Unix(ts/1000, 0)
 
-	table.entries = [][]string{
+	table.Entries = [][]string{
 		{"name", index},
 		{"replicas", *res[index].Settings.Index.NumberOfReplicas},
 		{"shards", *res[index].Settings.Index.NumberOfShards},
@@ -128,7 +147,7 @@ func IndexShow(conf *cfg.Config, index string) error {
 		{"uuid", *res[index].Settings.Index.Uuid},
 	}
 
-	if err := table.PrintMarkdown(); err != nil {
+	if err := table.Print(); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
@@ -188,10 +207,6 @@ func IndexCreate(conf *cfg.Config, index string, mappings []string) error {
 }
 
 func IndexDelete(conf *cfg.Config, index string) error {
-	if index == "" {
-		return fmt.Errorf("no index specified")
-	}
-
 	_, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES.Indices.Delete(index).
 		Header("content-type", "application/json").
 		Header("accept", "application/json").
@@ -218,16 +233,11 @@ func IndexClose(conf *cfg.Config, index string) error {
 }
 
 func IndexAllocation(conf *cfg.Config, index string) error {
-	if index == "" {
+	res, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES.Cluster.AllocationExplain().
-		return fmt.Errorf("no index specified")
-	}
-
-	alloc := conf.DefaultCluster.ES.Cluster.AllocationExplain().
 		Index(index).
 		Primary(conf.Primary).
-		Shard(conf.Shards)
+		Shard(conf.Shards).
-
+		Header("content-type", "application/json").
-	res, err := alloc.Header("content-type", "application/json").
 		Header("accept", "application/json").
 		Do(context.Background())
 	if err != nil {
@@ -238,7 +248,7 @@ func IndexAllocation(conf *cfg.Config, index string) error {
 
 	currentNode := res.CurrentNode
 
-	table := NewTable(2, 10)
+	table := printer.NewTable(conf, 2, 10)
 	table.Addheaders("index allocation setting", "value")
 
 	roles := make([]string, len(currentNode.Roles))
@@ -246,7 +256,7 @@ func IndexAllocation(conf *cfg.Config, index string) error {
 		roles[idx] = role.Name
 	}
 
-	table.entries = [][]string{
+	table.Entries = [][]string{
 		{"Index", index},
 		{"Current node", currentNode.Name},
 		{"Current k8s node", currentNode.Attributes["k8s_node_name"]},
@@ -259,9 +269,25 @@ func IndexAllocation(conf *cfg.Config, index string) error {
 		{"Can remain on current node", res.CanRemainOnCurrentNode.Name},
 	}
 
-	if err := table.PrintMarkdown(); err != nil {
+	if err := table.Print(); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
 	return nil
 }
+
+func IndexModify(conf *cfg.Config, index string) error {
+	settings := esdsl.NewIndexSettings().NumberOfReplicas(strconv.Itoa(conf.Replicas))
+
+	_, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES.Indices.PutSettings().
+		Indices(index).
+		Index(settings).
+		Header("content-type", "application/json").
+		Header("accept", "application/json").
+		Do(context.Background())
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to modify index settings: %s", err)
+	}
+
+	return nil
+}

pkg/es/index_alias.go

@@ -0,0 +1,102 @@
+/*
+Copyright © 2026 Thomas von Dein
+
+This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+(at your option) any later version.
+
+This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+GNU General Public License for more details.
+
+You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+along with this program. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+*/
+package es
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"fmt"
+	"log/slog"
+	"regexp"
+	"strings"
+
+	"codeberg.org/scip/esctl/pkg/cfg"
+    "codeberg.org/scip/esctl/pkg/printer"
+)
+
+// FIXME: add filter support, see IndexCreate mapping
+func IndexAliasCreate(conf *cfg.Config, index, alias string) error {
+	create := conf.DefaultCluster.ES.Indices.PutAlias(index, alias).
+		Header("content-type", "application/json").
+		Header("accept", "application/json")
+
+	res, err := create.Do(context.Background())
+
+	slog.Debug("create alias", "result", res)
+
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to create index alias: %s", err)
+	}
+
+	return nil
+}
+
+func IndexAliasList(conf *cfg.Config) error {
+	filter := regexp.Regexp{}
+
+	if len(conf.Filter) > 0 {
+		// we support just one filter here, for now
+		filter = *regexp.MustCompile(conf.Filter[0])
+	}
+
+	create := conf.DefaultCluster.ES.Indices.GetAlias().
+		Index("_all").
+		Header("content-type", "application/json").
+		Header("accept", "application/json")
+
+	res, err := create.Do(context.Background())
+
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to list index aliases: %s", err)
+	}
+
+	slog.Debug("aliases list", "result", res)
+
+	aliaslist := map[string][]string{} // index => []aliases
+
+	for index, aliases := range res {
+		if len(conf.Filter) > 0 {
+			if !filter.MatchString(index) {
+				continue
+			}
+		}
+
+		for alias := range aliases.Aliases {
+			aliaslist[index] = append(aliaslist[index], alias)
+		}
+	}
+
+	table := printer.NewTable(conf, 2, len(aliaslist))
+	table.Addheaders("index", "alias")
+
+	idx := 0
+	for index, aliases := range aliaslist {
+		table.Entries[idx] = []string{
+			index,
+			strings.Join(aliases, ","),
+		}
+
+		idx++
+	}
+
+	table.Sort()
+
+	if err := table.Print(); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	return nil
+}

pkg/es/node.go

@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ import (
 	"log/slog"
 
 	"codeberg.org/scip/esctl/pkg/cfg"
+    "codeberg.org/scip/esctl/pkg/printer"
 )
 
 func NodeList(conf *cfg.Config) error {
@@ -33,11 +34,11 @@ func NodeList(conf *cfg.Config) error {
 
 	slog.Debug("ES result", "nodes", nodes)
 
-	table := NewTable(7, len(nodes))
+	table := printer.NewTable(conf, 7, len(nodes))
 	table.Addheaders("name", "ip", "load1m", "load5m", "load15m", "ram %", "heap %")
 
 	for idx, node := range nodes {
-		table.entries[idx] = []string{
+		table.Entries[idx] = []string{
 			*node.Name,
 			*node.Ip,
 			*node.Load1M,
@@ -49,7 +50,7 @@ func NodeList(conf *cfg.Config) error {
 	}
 
 	table.Sort()
-	if err := table.PrintMarkdown(); err != nil {
+	if err := table.Print(); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 

pkg/es/shard.go

@@ -0,0 +1,151 @@
+/*
+Copyright © 2026 Thomas von Dein
+
+This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+(at your option) any later version.
+
+This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+GNU General Public License for more details.
+
+You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+along with this program. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+*/
+package es
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"fmt"
+	"log/slog"
+
+	"codeberg.org/scip/esctl/pkg/cfg"
+	"codeberg.org/scip/esctl/pkg/printer"
+	"github.com/elastic/go-elasticsearch/v9/typedapi/cat/shards"
+)
+
+func colorzizeShard(conf *cfg.Config, state, name string) string {
+	color := "red" // in case of RELOCATING and UNASSIGNED
+
+	switch state {
+	case "STARTED":
+		color = "green"
+	case "INITIALIZING":
+		color = "yellow"
+	}
+
+	return printer.Colorize(conf, color, name)
+}
+
+func resolvePrirep(state string) string {
+	switch state {
+	case "p":
+		return "primary"
+	}
+
+	return "replica"
+}
+
+func filterShards(conf *cfg.Config, shardlist shards.Response) shards.Response {
+	filtered := shards.Response{}
+
+	size := len(shardlist)
+
+	if conf.MaxItems > 0 {
+		if size > conf.MaxItems {
+			size = conf.MaxItems
+		}
+	}
+
+	for idx, shard := range shardlist {
+		if conf.Failed {
+			if *shard.State == "STARTED" {
+				continue
+			}
+		}
+
+		if conf.Primary {
+			if *shard.Prirep != "p" {
+				continue
+			}
+		}
+
+		if idx == size-1 {
+			break
+		}
+
+		filtered = append(filtered, shard)
+	}
+
+	return filtered
+}
+
+func ShardList(conf *cfg.Config) error {
+	res, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES.Cat.Shards().
+		Header("content-type", "application/json").
+		Header("accept", "application/json").
+		Do(context.Background())
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to get shards: %s", err)
+	}
+
+	shardlist := filterShards(conf, res)
+	slog.Debug("ES result", "shards", res)
+
+	return printShards(conf, shardlist)
+}
+
+func printShards(conf *cfg.Config, shardlist shards.Response) error {
+	headers := []string{"index", "shard", "is primary", "store", "dataset", "docs"}
+	if conf.Verbose {
+		headers = append(headers, "node", "ip")
+	}
+
+	table := printer.NewTable(conf, len(headers), len(shardlist))
+	table.Addheaders(headers...)
+
+	for idx, shard := range shardlist {
+		name := colorzizeShard(conf, *shard.State, *shard.Index)
+
+		table.Entries[idx] = []string{
+			name,
+			*shard.Shard,
+			resolvePrirep(*shard.Prirep),
+			*shard.Store,
+			*shard.Dataset,
+			*shard.Docs,
+		}
+
+		if conf.Verbose {
+			table.Entries[idx] = append(table.Entries[idx],
+				*shard.Node,
+				*shard.Ip,
+			)
+		}
+	}
+
+	table.Sort()
+	if err := table.Print(); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	return nil
+}
+
+func ShardShow(conf *cfg.Config, index string) error {
+	res, err := conf.DefaultCluster.ES.Cat.Shards().Index(index).
+		Header("content-type", "application/json").
+		Header("accept", "application/json").
+		Do(context.Background())
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to get shards: %s", err)
+	}
+
+	slog.Debug("ES result", "shards", res)
+
+	conf.Verbose = true
+
+	return printShards(conf, res)
+}

pkg/es/snapshot.go

@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ import (
 	"strings"
 
 	"codeberg.org/scip/esctl/pkg/cfg"
+    "codeberg.org/scip/esctl/pkg/printer"
 )
 
 var (
@@ -83,11 +84,11 @@ func SnapshotList(conf *cfg.Config) error {
 		}
 	}
 
-	table := NewTable(5, len(snapshots))
+	table := printer.NewTable(conf, 5, len(snapshots))
 	table.Addheaders("name", "index", "start", "orphaned", "status")
 
 	for idx, snap := range snapshots {
-		table.entries[idx] = []string{
+		table.Entries[idx] = []string{
 			snap.Name,
 			snap.Forindex,
 			snap.Start,
@@ -97,7 +98,7 @@ func SnapshotList(conf *cfg.Config) error {
 	}
 
 	table.Sort()
-	if err := table.PrintMarkdown(); err != nil {
+	if err := table.Print(); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
@@ -116,12 +117,12 @@ func SnapshotShow(conf *cfg.Config, snapshot string) error {
 		return errors.New("no snapshot retrieved")
 	}
 
-	table := NewTable(2, 17)
+	table := printer.NewTable(conf, 2, 17)
 	table.Addheaders("snapshot property", "value")
 
 	snap := res.Snapshots[0]
 
-	table.entries = [][]string{
+	table.Entries = [][]string{
 		{"snapshot", snapshot},
 		{"uuid", snap.Uuid},
 		{"repository", *snap.Repository},
@@ -137,7 +138,7 @@ func SnapshotShow(conf *cfg.Config, snapshot string) error {
 		{"shards-successful", fmt.Sprintf("%d", snap.Shards.Successful)},
 	}
 
-	if err := table.PrintMarkdown(); err != nil {
+	if err := table.Print(); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 

pkg/es/table.go

@@ -1,114 +0,0 @@
-/*
-Copyright © 2026 Thomas von Dein
-
-This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
-it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
-the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
-(at your option) any later version.
-
-This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
-but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
-MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
-GNU General Public License for more details.
-
-You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
-along with this program. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
-*/
-package es
-
-import (
-	"fmt"
-	"sort"
-	"strings"
-
-	"github.com/olekukonko/tablewriter"
-	"github.com/olekukonko/tablewriter/renderer"
-	"github.com/olekukonko/tablewriter/tw"
-)
-
-type Table struct {
-	headers []string
-	entries [][]string
-}
-
-func NewTable(columns, rows int) *Table {
-	table := Table{}
-
-	table.headers = make([]string, columns)
-	table.entries = make([][]string, rows)
-
-	return &table
-}
-
-func (data *Table) PrintMarkdown() error {
-	tableString := &strings.Builder{}
-
-	table := tablewriter.NewTable(tableString,
-		tablewriter.WithRenderer(
-			renderer.NewBlueprint(
-				tw.Rendition{
-					Borders: tw.Border{
-						Left:   tw.On,
-						Right:  tw.On,
-						Top:    tw.Off,
-						Bottom: tw.Off,
-					},
-					Settings: tw.Settings{
-						Separators: tw.Separators{
-							ShowHeader:     tw.On,
-							ShowFooter:     tw.Off,
-							BetweenRows:    tw.Off,
-							BetweenColumns: 0,
-						},
-					},
-					Symbols: tw.NewSymbols(tw.StyleMarkdown),
-				})),
-
-		tablewriter.WithConfig(
-			tablewriter.Config{
-				Header: tw.CellConfig{
-					Formatting: tw.CellFormatting{
-						Alignment:  tw.AlignLeft,
-						AutoFormat: tw.Off,
-					},
-				},
-				Row: tw.CellConfig{
-					Formatting: tw.CellFormatting{
-						Alignment: tw.AlignLeft,
-					},
-				},
-			},
-		),
-	)
-
-	table.Header(data.headers)
-
-	if err := table.Bulk(data.entries); err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("failed to add data to table renderer: %s", err)
-	}
-
-	if err := table.Render(); err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("failed to render table: %s", err)
-	}
-
-	fmt.Println(tableString.String())
-
-	return nil
-}
-
-func (data *Table) Sort() {
-	// sanity checks
-	if len(data.entries) == 0 {
-		return
-	}
-
-	sort.Slice(data.entries, func(i, j int) bool {
-		return data.entries[i][0] < data.entries[j][0]
-	})
-}
-
-func (data *Table) Addheaders(headers ...string) {
-	for idx, header := range headers {
-		data.headers[idx] = bold(strings.ToUpper(header))
-	}
-}

pkg/printer/color.go

@@ -15,9 +15,12 @@ You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
 along with this program. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 */
 
-package es
+package printer
 
-import "github.com/fatih/color"
+import (
+	"codeberg.org/scip/esctl/pkg/cfg"
+	"github.com/fatih/color"
+)
 
 var (
 	green  = color.New(color.BgGreen, color.FgHiWhite).SprintFunc()
@@ -26,7 +29,12 @@ var (
 	bold   = color.New(color.Bold).SprintFunc()
 )
 
-func Colorize(col, what string) string {
+func Colorize(conf *cfg.Config, col, what string) string {
+	switch conf.Output {
+	case "json", "yaml":
+		return what
+	}
+
 	switch col {
 	case "green":
 		what = green(what)

pkg/printer/table.go

@@ -0,0 +1,306 @@
+/*
+Copyright © 2026 Thomas von Dein
+
+This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+(at your option) any later version.
+
+This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+GNU General Public License for more details.
+
+You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+along with this program. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+*/
+package printer
+
+import (
+	"encoding/json"
+	"fmt"
+	"regexp"
+	"sort"
+	"strconv"
+	"strings"
+
+	"codeberg.org/scip/esctl/pkg/cfg"
+	"github.com/olekukonko/tablewriter"
+	"github.com/olekukonko/tablewriter/renderer"
+	"github.com/olekukonko/tablewriter/tw"
+	"gopkg.in/yaml.v3"
+)
+
+type Table struct {
+	Mode    string // table, markdown, json
+	Headers []string
+	Entries [][]string
+
+	lenHeaders []int
+}
+
+func NewTable(conf *cfg.Config, columns, rows int) *Table {
+	table := Table{Mode: conf.Output}
+
+	table.Headers = make([]string, columns)
+	table.Entries = make([][]string, rows)
+	table.lenHeaders = make([]int, columns)
+
+	return &table
+}
+
+func (data *Table) Print() error {
+	switch data.Mode {
+	case "markdown", "md":
+		return data.PrintMarkdown()
+	case "json":
+		return data.PrintJSON()
+	case "yaml":
+		return data.PrintYAML()
+	default:
+		return data.PrintTSV()
+	}
+}
+
+var (
+	ansiCtrlSeq = regexp.MustCompile(`\033.[0-9;]+m`)
+)
+
+// needed for json and yaml output
+func (data *Table) toMap() []map[string]string {
+	raw := make([]map[string]string, len(data.Entries))
+
+	for idx, entries := range data.Entries {
+		raw[idx] = make(map[string]string, len(data.Headers))
+		for eidx, entry := range entries {
+			raw[idx][data.Headers[eidx]] = entry
+		}
+	}
+
+	return raw
+}
+
+func (data *Table) PrintYAML() error {
+	raw := data.toMap()
+
+	body, err := yaml.Marshal(raw)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to produce YAML output: %s", err)
+	}
+
+	fmt.Println(string(body))
+
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (data *Table) PrintJSON() error {
+	raw := data.toMap()
+
+	body, err := json.MarshalIndent(raw, "", "  ")
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to produce JSON output: %s", err)
+	}
+
+	fmt.Println(string(body))
+
+	return nil
+}
+
+// Well.  tablewriter  should be  able to  print in  TSV mode,  but it
+// doesn't  work because  of  the various  ansic  color escapes  we're
+// using. Therefore we do it the hard way and use our own TSV printer.
+func (data *Table) PrintTSV() error {
+	// determine lenght's
+	for idx, head := range data.Headers {
+		data.lenHeaders[idx] = visibleLen(head)
+	}
+
+	for _, entries := range data.Entries {
+		for idx, entry := range entries {
+			length := visibleLen(entry)
+			if data.lenHeaders[idx] < length {
+				data.lenHeaders[idx] = length
+			}
+		}
+	}
+
+	// output
+	for idx, header := range data.Headers {
+		fmt.Print(header, strings.Repeat(" ", data.lenHeaders[idx]-visibleLen(header)))
+		if idx < len(data.Headers)-1 {
+			fmt.Print("  ")
+		}
+	}
+	fmt.Println()
+
+	for _, entries := range data.Entries {
+		for idx, entry := range entries {
+			length := visibleLen(entry)
+
+			if isInt(entry) {
+				// align right
+				fmt.Print(strings.Repeat(" ", data.lenHeaders[idx]-length), entry)
+			} else {
+				fmt.Print(entry, strings.Repeat(" ", data.lenHeaders[idx]-length))
+			}
+
+			if idx < len(data.Headers)-1 {
+				fmt.Print("  ")
+			}
+		}
+		fmt.Println()
+	}
+
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (data *Table) PrintTabularFail() error {
+	OFS := "  "
+
+	tableString := &strings.Builder{}
+
+	styleTSV := tw.NewSymbolCustom("space").WithColumn("\t")
+
+	table := tablewriter.NewTable(tableString,
+		tablewriter.WithRenderer(
+			renderer.NewBlueprint(tw.Rendition{
+				Borders: tw.BorderNone,
+				Symbols: styleTSV,
+				Settings: tw.Settings{
+					Separators: tw.SeparatorsNone,
+					Lines:      tw.LinesNone,
+				},
+			})),
+		tablewriter.WithConfig(tablewriter.Config{
+			Header: tw.CellConfig{
+				Formatting: tw.CellFormatting{
+					AutoFormat: tw.Off,
+				},
+				Padding: tw.CellPadding{Global: tw.Padding{Left: "", Right: OFS}},
+			},
+			Row: tw.CellConfig{
+				Formatting: tw.CellFormatting{
+					AutoWrap:  tw.WrapNone,
+					Alignment: tw.AlignLeft,
+				},
+				Padding: tw.CellPadding{Global: tw.Padding{Right: OFS}},
+			},
+
+			Debug: true,
+		}),
+	)
+
+	table.Header(data.Headers)
+
+	if err := table.Bulk(data.Entries); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to add data to table renderer: %s", err)
+	}
+
+	if err := table.Render(); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to render table: %s", err)
+	}
+
+	// we  need to trim  our output here, because  tablewriter appends
+	// excess whitespace to our rows.
+	cleanedString := &strings.Builder{}
+
+	for _, row := range strings.Split(strings.TrimSpace(tableString.String()), "\n") {
+		cleanedString.WriteString(strings.TrimSpace(row))
+		cleanedString.WriteString("\n")
+	}
+
+	fmt.Println(cleanedString.String())
+
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (data *Table) PrintMarkdown() error {
+	tableString := &strings.Builder{}
+
+	table := tablewriter.NewTable(tableString,
+		tablewriter.WithRenderer(
+			renderer.NewBlueprint(
+				tw.Rendition{
+					Borders: tw.Border{
+						Left:   tw.On,
+						Right:  tw.On,
+						Top:    tw.Off,
+						Bottom: tw.Off,
+					},
+					Settings: tw.Settings{
+						Separators: tw.Separators{
+							ShowHeader:     tw.On,
+							ShowFooter:     tw.Off,
+							BetweenRows:    tw.Off,
+							BetweenColumns: 0,
+						},
+					},
+					Symbols: tw.NewSymbols(tw.StyleMarkdown),
+				})),
+
+		tablewriter.WithConfig(
+			tablewriter.Config{
+				Header: tw.CellConfig{
+					Formatting: tw.CellFormatting{
+						Alignment:  tw.AlignLeft,
+						AutoFormat: tw.Off,
+					},
+				},
+				Row: tw.CellConfig{
+					Formatting: tw.CellFormatting{
+						Alignment: tw.AlignLeft,
+					},
+				},
+			},
+		),
+	)
+
+	table.Header(data.Headers)
+
+	if err := table.Bulk(data.Entries); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to add data to table renderer: %s", err)
+	}
+
+	if err := table.Render(); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to render table: %s", err)
+	}
+
+	fmt.Println(tableString.String())
+
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (data *Table) Sort() {
+	// sanity checks
+	if len(data.Entries) == 0 {
+		return
+	}
+
+	sort.Slice(data.Entries, func(i, j int) bool {
+		return data.Entries[i][0] < data.Entries[j][0]
+	})
+}
+
+func (data *Table) Addheaders(headers ...string) {
+	for idx, header := range headers {
+		switch data.Mode {
+		case "json", "yaml":
+			data.Headers[idx] = strings.ToLower(header)
+		default:
+			data.Headers[idx] = bold(strings.ToUpper(header))
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// return the length of a string but only visible chars, w/o ansi color escapes
+func visibleLen(word string) int {
+	return len(ansiCtrlSeq.ReplaceAllLiteralString(word, ""))
+}
+
+func isInt(num string) bool {
+	if _, err := strconv.Atoi(num); err == nil {
+		return true
+	}
+
+	return false
+}