diff --git a/package-lock.json b/package-lock.json
index a77ea0d..6dcce60 100644
--- a/package-lock.json
+++ b/package-lock.json
@@ -1,15 +1,15 @@
 {
   "name": "@studiorack/cli",
-  "version": "3.0.5",
+  "version": "3.0.6",
   "lockfileVersion": 3,
   "requires": true,
   "packages": {
     "": {
       "name": "@studiorack/cli",
-      "version": "3.0.5",
+      "version": "3.0.6",
       "license": "MIT",
       "dependencies": {
-        "@open-audio-stack/core": "^0.1.45",
+        "@open-audio-stack/core": "^0.1.47",
         "cli-table3": "^0.6.5",
         "commander": "^12.1.0",
         "ora": "^9.0.0"
@@ -1291,9 +1291,9 @@
       }
     },
     "node_modules/@open-audio-stack/core": {
-      "version": "0.1.45",
-      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@open-audio-stack/core/-/core-0.1.45.tgz",
-      "integrity": "sha512-4wXmURbj/B03e6EDzOjoZJUe1kVGQQvFis9BmyY7ZykjDwe1PzMZLI2cp1Uv5nbsKmdDQXn684/8iw62FaTmPA==",
+      "version": "0.1.47",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@open-audio-stack/core/-/core-0.1.47.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-XrUpZFFVdAudjSa9E3cfWlDZlTXU7GWNGNxo2n/+aKwHmlgStLHvNPRm2pr1uxJBQWloSILFLQgIcWd2VBB+ig==",
       "license": "cc0-1.0",
       "dependencies": {
         "@vscode/sudo-prompt": "^9.3.1",
@@ -1304,6 +1304,7 @@
         "glob": "^11.0.0",
         "inquirer": "^12.4.1",
         "js-yaml": "^4.1.0",
+        "mime-types": "^3.0.2",
         "semver": "^7.6.3",
         "slugify": "^1.6.6",
         "tar": "^7.4.3",
@@ -3625,6 +3626,31 @@
         "node": ">=8.6"
       }
     },
+    "node_modules/mime-db": {
+      "version": "1.54.0",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/mime-db/-/mime-db-1.54.0.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-aU5EJuIN2WDemCcAp2vFBfp/m4EAhWJnUNSSw0ixs7/kXbd6Pg64EmwJkNdFhB8aWt1sH2CTXrLxo/iAGV3oPQ==",
+      "license": "MIT",
+      "engines": {
+        "node": ">= 0.6"
+      }
+    },
+    "node_modules/mime-types": {
+      "version": "3.0.2",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/mime-types/-/mime-types-3.0.2.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-Lbgzdk0h4juoQ9fCKXW4by0UJqj+nOOrI9MJ1sSj4nI8aI2eo1qmvQEie4VD1glsS250n15LsWsYtCugiStS5A==",
+      "license": "MIT",
+      "dependencies": {
+        "mime-db": "^1.54.0"
+      },
+      "engines": {
+        "node": ">=18"
+      },
+      "funding": {
+        "type": "opencollective",
+        "url": "https://opencollective.com/express"
+      }
+    },
     "node_modules/mimic-function": {
       "version": "5.0.1",
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/mimic-function/-/mimic-function-5.0.1.tgz",
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index ac9c51c..12bed8f 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@studiorack/cli",
-  "version": "3.0.5",
+  "version": "3.0.6",
   "description": "Audio project manager tool",
   "type": "module",
   "main": "./build/index.js",
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@
     "node": ">=18"
   },
   "dependencies": {
-    "@open-audio-stack/core": "^0.1.45",
+    "@open-audio-stack/core": "^0.1.47",
     "cli-table3": "^0.6.5",
     "commander": "^12.1.0",
     "ora": "^9.0.0"
diff --git a/src/commands/config.ts b/src/commands/config.ts
index 324e907..ee1b9a9 100644
--- a/src/commands/config.ts
+++ b/src/commands/config.ts
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ import { Command } from 'commander';
 import { CliOptions } from '../types/options.js';
 import { ConfigInterface, ConfigLocal, isTests } from '@open-audio-stack/core';
 import { CONFIG_LOCAL_TEST } from '../data/Config.js';
+import { output, OutputType } from '../utils.js';
 
 const config: ConfigLocal = new ConfigLocal(isTests() ? CONFIG_LOCAL_TEST : undefined);
 const program = new Command();
@@ -13,13 +14,16 @@ configCmd
   .option('-l, --log', 'Enable logging')
   .description('Get a config setting by key')
   .action((key: keyof ConfigInterface, options: CliOptions) => {
-    if (options.log) config.logEnable();
-    if (options.json) {
-      const obj: any = {};
-      obj[key] = config.get(key);
-      console.log({ key });
-    } else {
-      console.log(config.get(key));
+    {
+      const message = `Get config ${String(key)}`;
+      output(OutputType.START, message, options, config);
+      try {
+        const payload = options && options.json ? { key, value: config.get(key) } : String(config.get(key));
+        output(OutputType.SUCCESS, payload, options, config);
+      } catch (err: any) {
+        output(OutputType.ERROR, err, options, config);
+        process.exit(1);
+      }
     }
   });
 
@@ -29,12 +33,16 @@ configCmd
   .option('-l, --log', 'Enable logging')
   .description('Set a config setting by key and value')
   .action((key: keyof ConfigInterface, val: any, options: CliOptions) => {
-    // if (options.log) config.logEnable();
-    if (options.json) {
-      const obj: any = {};
-      obj[key] = config.set(key, val);
-      console.log(obj);
-    } else {
-      console.log(config.set(key, val));
+    {
+      const message = `Set config ${String(key)}`;
+      output(OutputType.START, message, options, config);
+      try {
+        const res = config.set(key, val);
+        const payload = options && options.json ? { key, value: res } : String(res);
+        output(OutputType.SUCCESS, payload, options, config);
+      } catch (err: any) {
+        output(OutputType.ERROR, err, options, config);
+        process.exit(1);
+      }
     }
   });
diff --git a/src/commands/create.ts b/src/commands/create.ts
index 00efb84..bc22d9e 100644
--- a/src/commands/create.ts
+++ b/src/commands/create.ts
@@ -1,16 +1,26 @@
 import { Command } from 'commander';
 import { CliOptions } from '../types/options.js';
 import { ManagerLocal } from '@open-audio-stack/core';
+import { output, OutputType } from '../utils.js';
 
 export function create(command: Command, manager: ManagerLocal) {
   command
-    .command('create <path>')
+    .command('create')
+    .option('-j, --json', 'Output results as json')
     .option('-l, --log', 'Enable logging')
     .description('Create a new package locally')
-    .action(async (path: string, options: CliOptions) => {
-      if (options.log) manager.logEnable();
-      else manager.logDisable();
-      console.log(await manager.create());
-      console.log(path);
+    .action(async (options: CliOptions) => {
+      const message = `Create package`;
+      output(OutputType.START, message, options, manager);
+      try {
+        const result = await manager.create();
+        // For JSON mode return the object; for textual mode, stringify objects
+        const payload =
+          options && options.json ? result : typeof result === 'string' ? result : JSON.stringify(result, null, 2);
+        output(OutputType.SUCCESS, payload, options, manager);
+      } catch (err: any) {
+        output(OutputType.ERROR, err, options, manager);
+        process.exit(1);
+      }
     });
 }
diff --git a/src/commands/filter.ts b/src/commands/filter.ts
index 646782d..5232605 100644
--- a/src/commands/filter.ts
+++ b/src/commands/filter.ts
@@ -1,16 +1,35 @@
 import { Command } from 'commander';
 import { CliOptions } from '../types/options.js';
 import { ManagerLocal, PackageVersion } from '@open-audio-stack/core';
-import { formatOutput } from '../utils.js';
+import { formatOutput, output, OutputType } from '../utils.js';
 
 export function filter(command: Command, manager: ManagerLocal) {
   command
     .command('filter <field> <value>')
+    .option('-j, --json', 'Output results as json')
     .option('-l, --log', 'Enable logging')
     .description('Filter the by field and matching value')
-    .action((field: keyof PackageVersion, value: string, options: CliOptions) => {
-      if (options.log) manager.logEnable();
-      else manager.logDisable();
-      console.log(formatOutput(manager.filter(pkgVersion => pkgVersion[field] === value)));
+    .action(async (field: keyof PackageVersion, value: string, options: CliOptions) => {
+      const message = `Filter ${manager.type} by ${String(field)}=${value}`;
+      output(OutputType.START, message, options, manager);
+      try {
+        const predicate = (pkgVersion: PackageVersion) => {
+          const fieldVal: any = pkgVersion[field];
+          if (Array.isArray(fieldVal)) {
+            return fieldVal.some((v: any) => String(v).toLowerCase() === value.toLowerCase());
+          }
+          if (typeof fieldVal === 'string') {
+            return fieldVal.toLowerCase().includes(value.toLowerCase());
+          }
+          if (fieldVal === undefined || fieldVal === null) return false;
+          return String(fieldVal) === value;
+        };
+        const result = await manager.filter(predicate);
+        const payload = options && options.json ? result : formatOutput(result);
+        output(OutputType.SUCCESS, payload, options, manager);
+      } catch (err: any) {
+        output(OutputType.ERROR, err, options, manager);
+        process.exit(1);
+      }
     });
 }
diff --git a/src/commands/get.ts b/src/commands/get.ts
index 73fcc99..e22ab5e 100644
--- a/src/commands/get.ts
+++ b/src/commands/get.ts
@@ -1,19 +1,29 @@
 import { Command } from 'commander';
 import { CliOptions } from '../types/options.js';
 import { inputGetParts, ManagerLocal } from '@open-audio-stack/core';
-import { formatOutput } from '../utils.js';
+import { formatOutput, output, OutputType } from '../utils.js';
 
 export function get(command: Command, manager: ManagerLocal) {
   command
     .command('get <input>')
+    .option('-j, --json', 'Output results as json')
     .option('-l, --log', 'Enable logging')
     .description('Get package metadata from registry')
     .action((input: string, options: CliOptions) => {
-      if (options.log) manager.logEnable();
-      else manager.logDisable();
-      const [slug, version] = inputGetParts(input);
-      const pkg = manager.getPackage(slug);
-      const versions = version ? [version] : Array.from(pkg?.versions.keys() || new Map().keys());
-      console.log(formatOutput(pkg, versions));
+      const message = `Get package ${input}`;
+      output(OutputType.START, message, options, manager);
+      try {
+        const [slug, version] = inputGetParts(input);
+        const pkg = manager.getPackage(slug);
+        if (!pkg) throw new Error(`No package found with slug: ${slug}`);
+        const payload =
+          options && options.json
+            ? { pkg, version }
+            : formatOutput(pkg, version ? [version] : Array.from(pkg.versions.keys()), false);
+        output(OutputType.SUCCESS, payload, options, manager);
+      } catch (err: any) {
+        output(OutputType.ERROR, err, options, manager);
+        process.exit(1);
+      }
     });
 }
diff --git a/src/commands/install.ts b/src/commands/install.ts
index 45707c0..76d822f 100644
--- a/src/commands/install.ts
+++ b/src/commands/install.ts
@@ -1,26 +1,28 @@
 import { Command } from 'commander';
-import ora from 'ora';
 import { CliOptions } from '../types/options.js';
-import { inputGetParts, ManagerLocal, isTests } from '@open-audio-stack/core';
+import { inputGetParts, ManagerLocal } from '@open-audio-stack/core';
+import { output, OutputType } from '../utils.js';
 
 export function install(command: Command, manager: ManagerLocal) {
   command
     .command('install <input>')
+    .option('-j, --json', 'Output results as json')
     .option('-l, --log', 'Enable logging')
     .description('Install a package locally by slug/version')
     .action(async (input: string, options: CliOptions) => {
-      if (options.log) manager.logEnable();
-      else manager.logDisable();
       const [slug, version] = inputGetParts(input);
-      const spinner = ora(`Installing ${slug}${version ? `@${version}` : ''}...`).start();
+      const message = `Install ${slug}${version ? `@${version}` : ''}`;
+      output(OutputType.START, message, options, manager);
       try {
         await manager.install(slug, version);
-        spinner.succeed(`Installed ${slug}${version ? `@${version}` : ''}`);
-        if (isTests()) console.log(`Installed ${slug}${version ? `@${version}` : ''}`);
-      } catch (error) {
-        const errorMessage = error instanceof Error ? error.message : String(error);
-        spinner.fail(errorMessage);
-        if (isTests()) console.log(errorMessage);
+        const payload =
+          options && options.json
+            ? { slug, version: version || null, installed: true }
+            : `Installed ${slug}${version ? `@${version}` : ''}`;
+        output(OutputType.SUCCESS, payload, options, manager);
+      } catch (err: any) {
+        output(OutputType.ERROR, err, options, manager);
+        process.exit(1);
       }
     });
 }
diff --git a/src/commands/list.ts b/src/commands/list.ts
index 60d83d2..a389000 100644
--- a/src/commands/list.ts
+++ b/src/commands/list.ts
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 import { Command } from 'commander';
 import { CliOptions } from '../types/options.js';
 import { ManagerLocal } from '@open-audio-stack/core';
-import { formatOutput } from '../utils.js';
+import { formatOutput, output, OutputType } from '../utils.js';
 
 interface ListOptions extends CliOptions {
   incompatible: boolean;
@@ -13,11 +13,19 @@ export function list(command: Command, manager: ManagerLocal) {
     .command('list')
     .option('-c, --incompatible', 'List incompatible packages')
     .option('-i, --installed', 'Only list installed packages')
+    .option('-j, --json', 'Output results as json')
     .option('-l, --log', 'Enable logging')
     .description('List packages')
     .action(async (options: ListOptions) => {
-      if (options.log) manager.logEnable();
-      else manager.logDisable();
-      console.log(formatOutput(manager.listPackages(options.installed, options.incompatible)));
+      const message = `List ${manager.type}`;
+      output(OutputType.START, message, options, manager);
+      try {
+        const result = await manager.listPackages(options.installed, options.incompatible);
+        const payload = options && options.json ? result : formatOutput(result);
+        output(OutputType.SUCCESS, payload, options, manager);
+      } catch (err: any) {
+        output(OutputType.ERROR, err, options, manager);
+        process.exit(1);
+      }
     });
 }
diff --git a/src/commands/open.ts b/src/commands/open.ts
index c6d620d..8d5af3c 100644
--- a/src/commands/open.ts
+++ b/src/commands/open.ts
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 import { Command } from 'commander';
 import { CliOptions } from '../types/options.js';
 import { inputGetParts, ManagerLocal } from '@open-audio-stack/core';
+import { output, OutputType } from '../utils.js';
 
 export function open(command: Command, manager: ManagerLocal) {
   command
@@ -8,14 +9,14 @@ export function open(command: Command, manager: ManagerLocal) {
     .option('-l, --log', 'Enable logging')
     .description('Open a package by slug/version')
     .action(async (input: string, options: string[], cliOptions: CliOptions) => {
-      if (cliOptions.log) manager.logEnable();
-      else manager.logDisable();
-      const [slug, version] = inputGetParts(input);
+      const message = `Open ${input}`;
+      output(OutputType.START, message, cliOptions, manager);
       try {
+        const [slug, version] = inputGetParts(input);
         await manager.open(slug, version, options);
-      } catch (error: any) {
-        const errorMessage = error instanceof Error ? error.message : String(error);
-        console.error(errorMessage);
+        output(OutputType.SUCCESS, `Opened ${input}`, cliOptions, manager);
+      } catch (err: any) {
+        output(OutputType.ERROR, err, cliOptions, manager);
         process.exit(1);
       }
     });
diff --git a/src/commands/reset.ts b/src/commands/reset.ts
index 339875c..9ed7da5 100644
--- a/src/commands/reset.ts
+++ b/src/commands/reset.ts
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 import { Command } from 'commander';
 import { CliOptions } from '../types/options.js';
 import { ManagerLocal } from '@open-audio-stack/core';
+import { output, OutputType } from '../utils.js';
 
 export function reset(command: Command, manager: ManagerLocal) {
   command
@@ -8,9 +9,16 @@ export function reset(command: Command, manager: ManagerLocal) {
     .option('-l, --log', 'Enable logging')
     .description('Reset the synced package cache')
     .action((options: CliOptions) => {
-      if (options.log) manager.logEnable();
-      else manager.logDisable();
-      manager.reset();
-      console.log(`${manager.type} cache has been reset`);
+      const message = `Reset ${manager.type}`;
+      output(OutputType.START, message, options, manager);
+      try {
+        manager.reset();
+        const payload =
+          options && options.json ? { type: manager.type, status: 'reset' } : `Reset complete ${manager.type}`;
+        output(OutputType.SUCCESS, payload, options, manager);
+      } catch (err: any) {
+        output(OutputType.ERROR, err, options, manager);
+        process.exit(1);
+      }
     });
 }
diff --git a/src/commands/scan.ts b/src/commands/scan.ts
index 614f6c4..8702e01 100644
--- a/src/commands/scan.ts
+++ b/src/commands/scan.ts
@@ -1,16 +1,25 @@
 import { Command } from 'commander';
 import { CliOptions } from '../types/options.js';
 import { ManagerLocal } from '@open-audio-stack/core';
+import { output, OutputType } from '../utils.js';
 
 export function scan(command: Command, manager: ManagerLocal) {
   command
     .command('scan')
+    .option('-j, --json', 'Output results as json')
     .option('-l, --log', 'Enable logging')
     .description('Scan local packages into cache')
     .action(async (options: CliOptions) => {
-      if (options.log) manager.logEnable();
-      else manager.logDisable();
-      manager.scan();
-      console.log(`${manager.type} scan completed`);
+      const message = `Scan ${manager.type}`;
+      output(OutputType.START, message, options, manager);
+      try {
+        await manager.scan();
+        // pass an object for JSON output, or a string for textual output
+        const payload = options && options.json ? { type: manager.type, status: 'scanned' } : `Scanned ${manager.type}`;
+        output(OutputType.SUCCESS, payload, options, manager);
+      } catch (err: any) {
+        output(OutputType.ERROR, err, options, manager);
+        process.exit(1);
+      }
     });
 }
diff --git a/src/commands/search.ts b/src/commands/search.ts
index 95ec2d7..e836ba0 100644
--- a/src/commands/search.ts
+++ b/src/commands/search.ts
@@ -1,16 +1,24 @@
 import { Command } from 'commander';
 import { CliOptions } from '../types/options.js';
 import { ManagerLocal } from '@open-audio-stack/core';
-import { formatOutput } from '../utils.js';
+import { formatOutput, output, OutputType } from '../utils.js';
 
 export function search(command: Command, manager: ManagerLocal) {
   command
     .command('search <query>')
+    .option('-j, --json', 'Output results as json')
     .option('-l, --log', 'Enable logging')
     .description('Search using a lazy matching query')
     .action(async (query: string, options: CliOptions) => {
-      if (options.log) manager.logEnable();
-      else manager.logDisable();
-      console.log(formatOutput(manager.search(query)));
+      const message = `Search ${manager.type}`;
+      output(OutputType.START, message, options, manager);
+      try {
+        const result = await manager.search(query);
+        const payload = options && options.json ? result : formatOutput(result);
+        output(OutputType.SUCCESS, payload, options, manager);
+      } catch (err: any) {
+        output(OutputType.ERROR, err, options, manager);
+        process.exit(1);
+      }
     });
 }
diff --git a/src/commands/sync.ts b/src/commands/sync.ts
index f9ed680..13968b2 100644
--- a/src/commands/sync.ts
+++ b/src/commands/sync.ts
@@ -1,25 +1,24 @@
 import { Command } from 'commander';
-import ora from 'ora';
 import { CliOptions } from '../types/options.js';
-import { ManagerLocal, isTests } from '@open-audio-stack/core';
+import { ManagerLocal } from '@open-audio-stack/core';
+import { output, OutputType } from '../utils.js';
 
 export function sync(command: Command, manager: ManagerLocal) {
   command
     .command('sync')
+    .option('-j, --json', 'Output results as json')
     .option('-l, --log', 'Enable logging')
     .description('Sync remote packages into cache')
     .action(async (options: CliOptions) => {
-      if (options.log) manager.logEnable();
-      else manager.logDisable();
-      const spinner = ora(`Syncing ${manager.type}...`).start();
+      const message = `Sync ${manager.type}`;
+      output(OutputType.START, message, options, manager);
       try {
         await manager.sync();
-        spinner.succeed(`${manager.type} sync completed`);
-        if (isTests()) console.log(`${manager.type} sync completed`);
-      } catch (error) {
-        const errorMessage = error instanceof Error ? error.message : String(error);
-        spinner.fail(errorMessage);
-        if (isTests()) console.log(errorMessage);
+        const payload = options && options.json ? { type: manager.type, status: 'synced' } : `Synced ${manager.type}`;
+        output(OutputType.SUCCESS, payload, options, manager);
+      } catch (err: any) {
+        output(OutputType.ERROR, err, options, manager);
+        process.exit(1);
       }
     });
 }
diff --git a/src/commands/uninstall.ts b/src/commands/uninstall.ts
index b2a1fc5..beb548b 100644
--- a/src/commands/uninstall.ts
+++ b/src/commands/uninstall.ts
@@ -1,26 +1,28 @@
 import { Command } from 'commander';
-import ora from 'ora';
 import { CliOptions } from '../types/options.js';
-import { inputGetParts, ManagerLocal, isTests } from '@open-audio-stack/core';
+import { inputGetParts, ManagerLocal } from '@open-audio-stack/core';
+import { output, OutputType } from '../utils.js';
 
 export function uninstall(command: Command, manager: ManagerLocal) {
   command
     .command('uninstall <input>')
+    .option('-j, --json', 'Output results as json')
     .option('-l, --log', 'Enable logging')
     .description('Uninstall a package locally by slug/version')
     .action(async (input: string, options: CliOptions) => {
-      if (options.log) manager.logEnable();
-      else manager.logDisable();
       const [slug, version] = inputGetParts(input);
-      const spinner = ora(`Uninstalling ${slug}${version ? `@${version}` : ''}...`).start();
+      const message = `Uninstall ${slug}${version ? `@${version}` : ''}`;
+      output(OutputType.START, message, options, manager);
       try {
         await manager.uninstall(slug, version);
-        spinner.succeed(`Uninstalled ${slug}${version ? `@${version}` : ''}`);
-        if (isTests()) console.log(`Uninstalled ${slug}${version ? `@${version}` : ''}`);
-      } catch (error) {
-        const errorMessage = error instanceof Error ? error.message : String(error);
-        spinner.fail(errorMessage);
-        if (isTests()) console.log(errorMessage);
+        const payload =
+          options && options.json
+            ? { slug, version: version || null, installed: false }
+            : `Uninstalled ${slug}${version ? `@${version}` : ''}`;
+        output(OutputType.SUCCESS, payload, options, manager);
+      } catch (err: any) {
+        output(OutputType.ERROR, err, options, manager);
+        process.exit(1);
       }
     });
 }
diff --git a/src/index.ts b/src/index.ts
index af7855e..83370bb 100644
--- a/src/index.ts
+++ b/src/index.ts
@@ -40,4 +40,18 @@ for (const type of types) {
   uninstall(command, manager);
 }
 
-program.version('3.0.1').parse(process.argv);
+import fs from 'fs';
+import path from 'path';
+
+let version = '0.0.0';
+try {
+  const pkgPath = path.resolve(process.cwd(), 'package.json');
+  const pkgRaw = fs.readFileSync(pkgPath, 'utf8');
+  const pkg = JSON.parse(pkgRaw);
+  if (pkg && pkg.version) version = pkg.version;
+} catch (e) {
+  console.error(e);
+  // ignore and fallback to default
+}
+
+program.version(version).parse(process.argv);
diff --git a/src/utils.ts b/src/utils.ts
index 78f4448..eb74d7b 100644
--- a/src/utils.ts
+++ b/src/utils.ts
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
-import { Package } from '@open-audio-stack/core';
+import { Base, isTests, Package } from '@open-audio-stack/core';
 import CliTable3 from 'cli-table3';
+import ora, { Ora } from 'ora';
+import type { CliOptions } from './types/options.js';
 
 export function formatOutput(result: Package[] | Package | undefined, versions?: string[], json?: boolean): string {
   if (!result) return `No results found`;
@@ -59,3 +61,47 @@ export function truncateString(str: string, num: number) {
     return str;
   }
 }
+
+export enum OutputType {
+  START = 'start',
+  SUCCESS = 'success',
+  ERROR = 'error',
+}
+
+let spinner: Ora | undefined;
+
+export function output(type: OutputType, message: any, options?: CliOptions, base?: Base) {
+  // console.log('\n output', type, message, options);
+  const useJson = Boolean(options && options.json);
+  if (message.message) message = message.message;
+
+  // If logging, ensure core package logging is enabled.
+  if (base) {
+    if (options && options.log) base.logEnable();
+    else base.logDisable();
+  }
+
+  // If json, output json only.
+  if (useJson) {
+    console.log(JSON.stringify({ type, message }, null, 2));
+    return;
+  }
+
+  // If test, output text only.
+  if (isTests()) {
+    console.log(message);
+    return;
+  }
+
+  // If interactive run, use spinners.
+  if (type === OutputType.START) {
+    spinner = ora(message).start();
+    return;
+  } else if (type === OutputType.SUCCESS) {
+    spinner?.succeed(message);
+    return;
+  } else {
+    spinner?.fail(message);
+    return;
+  }
+}
diff --git a/tests/__snapshots__/index.test.ts.snap b/tests/__snapshots__/index.test.ts.snap
index 4f6edb8..72cbf80 100644
--- a/tests/__snapshots__/index.test.ts.snap
+++ b/tests/__snapshots__/index.test.ts.snap
@@ -1,7 +1,9 @@
 // Vitest Snapshot v1, https://vitest.dev/guide/snapshot.html
 
 exports[`Root command 1`] = `
-Usage: index [options] [command]
+{
+  code: 1,
+  err: Usage: index [options] [command]
 
 Options:
   -V, --version   output the version number
@@ -13,17 +15,21 @@ Commands:
   plugins
   presets
   projects
-  help [command]  display help for command
+  help [command]  display help for command,
+  out: ,
+}
 `;
 
 exports[`Root command plugins 1`] = `
-Usage: index plugins [options] [command]
+{
+  code: 1,
+  err: Usage: index plugins [options] [command]
 
 Options:
   -h, --help                           display help for command
 
 Commands:
-  create [options] <path>              Create a new package locally
+  create [options]                     Create a new package locally
   filter [options] <field> <value>     Filter the by field and matching value
   get [options] <input>                Get package metadata from registry
   install [options] <input>            Install a package locally by
@@ -36,17 +42,21 @@ Commands:
   sync [options]                       Sync remote packages into cache
   uninstall [options] <input>          Uninstall a package locally by
                                        slug/version
-  help [command]                       display help for command
+  help [command]                       display help for command,
+  out: ,
+}
 `;
 
 exports[`Root command presets 1`] = `
-Usage: index presets [options] [command]
+{
+  code: 1,
+  err: Usage: index presets [options] [command]
 
 Options:
   -h, --help                           display help for command
 
 Commands:
-  create [options] <path>              Create a new package locally
+  create [options]                     Create a new package locally
   filter [options] <field> <value>     Filter the by field and matching value
   get [options] <input>                Get package metadata from registry
   install [options] <input>            Install a package locally by
@@ -59,17 +69,21 @@ Commands:
   sync [options]                       Sync remote packages into cache
   uninstall [options] <input>          Uninstall a package locally by
                                        slug/version
-  help [command]                       display help for command
+  help [command]                       display help for command,
+  out: ,
+}
 `;
 
 exports[`Root command projects 1`] = `
-Usage: index projects [options] [command]
+{
+  code: 1,
+  err: Usage: index projects [options] [command]
 
 Options:
   -h, --help                           display help for command
 
 Commands:
-  create [options] <path>              Create a new package locally
+  create [options]                     Create a new package locally
   filter [options] <field> <value>     Filter the by field and matching value
   get [options] <input>                Get package metadata from registry
   install [options] <input>            Install a package locally by
@@ -82,5 +96,7 @@ Commands:
   sync [options]                       Sync remote packages into cache
   uninstall [options] <input>          Uninstall a package locally by
                                        slug/version
-  help [command]                       display help for command
+  help [command]                       display help for command,
+  out: ,
+}
 `;
diff --git a/tests/commands/__snapshots__/config.test.ts.snap b/tests/commands/__snapshots__/config.test.ts.snap
index 2ccf5c1..6e3d6ee 100644
--- a/tests/commands/__snapshots__/config.test.ts.snap
+++ b/tests/commands/__snapshots__/config.test.ts.snap
@@ -1,24 +1,73 @@
 // Vitest Snapshot v1, https://vitest.dev/guide/snapshot.html
 
-exports[`Config get 1`] = `test`;
+exports[`Config get 1`] = `
+{
+  code: 0,
+  err: ,
+  out: Get config appDir
+test,
+}
+`;
 
-exports[`Config get 2`] = `test/installed/plugins`;
+exports[`Config get 2`] = `
+{
+  code: 0,
+  err: ,
+  out: Get config pluginsDir
+test/installed/plugins,
+}
+`;
 
-exports[`Config get 3`] = `test/installed/presets`;
+exports[`Config get 3`] = `
+{
+  code: 0,
+  err: ,
+  out: Get config presetsDir
+test/installed/presets,
+}
+`;
 
-exports[`Config get 4`] = `test/installed/projects`;
+exports[`Config get 4`] = `
+{
+  code: 0,
+  err: ,
+  out: Get config projectsDir
+test/installed/projects,
+}
+`;
 
 exports[`Config get 5`] = `
-[
-  {
-    name: 'Open Audio Registry',
-    url: 'https://open-audio-stack.github.io/open-audio-stack-registry'
-  }
-]
+{
+  code: 0,
+  err: ,
+  out: Get config registries
+[object Object],
+}
 `;
 
-exports[`Config get 6`] = `1.0.0`;
+exports[`Config get 6`] = `
+{
+  code: 0,
+  err: ,
+  out: Get config version
+1.0.0,
+}
+`;
 
-exports[`Config set 1`] = `test2`;
+exports[`Config set 1`] = `
+{
+  code: 0,
+  err: ,
+  out: Get config appDir
+test2,
+}
+`;
 
-exports[`Config set 2`] = `test`;
+exports[`Config set 2`] = `
+{
+  code: 0,
+  err: ,
+  out: Get config appDir
+test,
+}
+`;
diff --git a/tests/commands/__snapshots__/create.test.ts.snap b/tests/commands/__snapshots__/create.test.ts.snap
index 7c1af1a..a99b0f0 100644
--- a/tests/commands/__snapshots__/create.test.ts.snap
+++ b/tests/commands/__snapshots__/create.test.ts.snap
@@ -1,6 +1,11 @@
 // Vitest Snapshot v1, https://vitest.dev/guide/snapshot.html
 
 exports[`Create package 1`] = `
+{
+  code: 1,
+  err: ,
+  out: Create package
 ? Org id (org-name)
-
+User force closed the prompt with 0 null,
+}
 `;
diff --git a/tests/commands/__snapshots__/filter.test.ts.snap b/tests/commands/__snapshots__/filter.test.ts.snap
index a8d19b1..51aaa63 100644
--- a/tests/commands/__snapshots__/filter.test.ts.snap
+++ b/tests/commands/__snapshots__/filter.test.ts.snap
@@ -1,16 +1,32 @@
 // Vitest Snapshot v1, https://vitest.dev/guide/snapshot.html
 
 exports[`Filter packages 1`] = `
+{
+  code: 0,
+  err: ,
+  out: Filter plugins by name=Surge XT
 ┌─────────────────────────┬──────────┬─────────┬───────────┬────────────┬─────────┬───────────────────────────────┐
 │ Id                      │ Name     │ Version │ Installed │ Date       │ License │ Tags                          │
 ├─────────────────────────┼──────────┼─────────┼───────────┼────────────┼─────────┼───────────────────────────────┤
 │ surge-synthesizer/surge │ Surge XT │ 1.3.4   │ -         │ 2024-08-11 │ gpl-3.0 │ Instrument, Synth, Modulation │
-└─────────────────────────┴──────────┴─────────┴───────────┴────────────┴─────────┴───────────────────────────────┘
+└─────────────────────────┴──────────┴─────────┴───────────┴────────────┴─────────┴───────────────────────────────┘,
+}
 `;
 
-exports[`Filter packages 2`] = `No results found`;
+exports[`Filter packages 2`] = `
+{
+  code: 0,
+  err: ,
+  out: Filter plugins by name=Surge XU
+No results found,
+}
+`;
 
 exports[`Filter packages 3`] = `
+{
+  code: 0,
+  err: ,
+  out: Filter plugins by license=cc0-1.0
 ┌────────────────────────────────────────┬──────────────────────────┬─────────┬───────────┬────────────┬─────────┬───────────────────────────────────┐
 │ Id                                     │ Name                     │ Version │ Installed │ Date       │ License │ Tags                              │
 ├────────────────────────────────────────┼──────────────────────────┼─────────┼───────────┼────────────┼─────────┼───────────────────────────────────┤
@@ -37,5 +53,6 @@ exports[`Filter packages 3`] = `
 │ freepats/hang-d-minor                  │ Hang D Minor             │ 1.0.0   │ -         │ 2022-03-30 │ cc0-1.0 │ Instrument, Orchestra, Hang, s... │
 ├────────────────────────────────────────┼──────────────────────────┼─────────┼───────────┼────────────┼─────────┼───────────────────────────────────┤
 │ freepats/glasses-of-water              │ Glasses Of Water         │ 1.0.0   │ -         │ 2019-12-27 │ cc0-1.0 │ Instrument, Orchestra, Glass, ... │
-└────────────────────────────────────────┴──────────────────────────┴─────────┴───────────┴────────────┴─────────┴───────────────────────────────────┘
+└────────────────────────────────────────┴──────────────────────────┴─────────┴───────────┴────────────┴─────────┴───────────────────────────────────┘,
+}
 `;
diff --git a/tests/commands/__snapshots__/get.test.ts.snap b/tests/commands/__snapshots__/get.test.ts.snap
index 740c441..4866676 100644
--- a/tests/commands/__snapshots__/get.test.ts.snap
+++ b/tests/commands/__snapshots__/get.test.ts.snap
@@ -1,21 +1,38 @@
 // Vitest Snapshot v1, https://vitest.dev/guide/snapshot.html
 
 exports[`Get package 1`] = `
+{
+  code: 0,
+  err: ,
+  out: Get package surge-synthesizer/surge
 ┌─────────────────────────┬──────────┬─────────┬───────────┬────────────┬─────────┬───────────────────────────────┐
 │ Id                      │ Name     │ Version │ Installed │ Date       │ License │ Tags                          │
 ├─────────────────────────┼──────────┼─────────┼───────────┼────────────┼─────────┼───────────────────────────────┤
 │ surge-synthesizer/surge │ Surge XT │ 1.3.4   │ ✓         │ 2024-08-11 │ gpl-3.0 │ Instrument, Synth, Modulation │
 ├─────────────────────────┼──────────┼─────────┼───────────┼────────────┼─────────┼───────────────────────────────┤
 │ surge-synthesizer/surge │ Surge XT │ 1.3.1   │ ✓         │ 2024-03-02 │ gpl-3.0 │ Instrument, Synth, Modulation │
-└─────────────────────────┴──────────┴─────────┴───────────┴────────────┴─────────┴───────────────────────────────┘
+└─────────────────────────┴──────────┴─────────┴───────────┴────────────┴─────────┴───────────────────────────────┘,
+}
 `;
 
 exports[`Get package 2`] = `
+{
+  code: 0,
+  err: ,
+  out: Get package surge-synthesizer/surge@1.3.1
 ┌─────────────────────────┬──────────┬─────────┬───────────┬────────────┬─────────┬───────────────────────────────┐
 │ Id                      │ Name     │ Version │ Installed │ Date       │ License │ Tags                          │
 ├─────────────────────────┼──────────┼─────────┼───────────┼────────────┼─────────┼───────────────────────────────┤
 │ surge-synthesizer/surge │ Surge XT │ 1.3.1   │ ✓         │ 2024-03-02 │ gpl-3.0 │ Instrument, Synth, Modulation │
-└─────────────────────────┴──────────┴─────────┴───────────┴────────────┴─────────┴───────────────────────────────┘
+└─────────────────────────┴──────────┴─────────┴───────────┴────────────┴─────────┴───────────────────────────────┘,
+}
 `;
 
-exports[`Get package 3`] = `No results found`;
+exports[`Get package 3`] = `
+{
+  code: 0,
+  err: ,
+  out: Get package surge-synthesizer/surge@0.0.0
+No results found,
+}
+`;
diff --git a/tests/commands/__snapshots__/install.test.ts.snap b/tests/commands/__snapshots__/install.test.ts.snap
index 013f072..4a9260d 100644
--- a/tests/commands/__snapshots__/install.test.ts.snap
+++ b/tests/commands/__snapshots__/install.test.ts.snap
@@ -1,7 +1,28 @@
 // Vitest Snapshot v1, https://vitest.dev/guide/snapshot.html
 
-exports[`Install package 1`] = `Installed surge-synthesizer/surge`;
+exports[`Install package 1`] = `
+{
+  code: 0,
+  err: ,
+  out: Install surge-synthesizer/surge
+Installed surge-synthesizer/surge,
+}
+`;
 
-exports[`Install package 2`] = `Installed surge-synthesizer/surge@1.3.1`;
+exports[`Install package 2`] = `
+{
+  code: 0,
+  err: ,
+  out: Install surge-synthesizer/surge@1.3.1
+Installed surge-synthesizer/surge@1.3.1,
+}
+`;
 
-exports[`Install package 3`] = `Package surge-synthesizer/surge version 0.0.0 not found in registry`;
+exports[`Install package 3`] = `
+{
+  code: 1,
+  err: ,
+  out: Install surge-synthesizer/surge@0.0.0
+Package surge-synthesizer/surge version 0.0.0 not found in registry,
+}
+`;
diff --git a/tests/commands/__snapshots__/list.test.ts.snap b/tests/commands/__snapshots__/list.test.ts.snap
index 43613f3..400c071 100644
--- a/tests/commands/__snapshots__/list.test.ts.snap
+++ b/tests/commands/__snapshots__/list.test.ts.snap
@@ -1,13 +1,15 @@
 // Vitest Snapshot v1, https://vitest.dev/guide/snapshot.html
 
 exports[`List packages 1`] = `
+{
+  code: 0,
+  err: ,
+  out: List plugins
 ┌───────────────────────────────────────────┬───────────────────────────┬─────────┬───────────┬────────────┬───────────────┬───────────────────────────────────┐
 │ Id                                        │ Name                      │ Version │ Installed │ Date       │ License       │ Tags                              │
 ├───────────────────────────────────────────┼───────────────────────────┼─────────┼───────────┼────────────┼───────────────┼───────────────────────────────────┤
 │ aaronaanderson/terrain                    │ Terrain                   │ 1.2.2   │ -         │ 2024-11-01 │ gpl-3.0       │ Instrument, Synthesizer, Wavet... │
 ├───────────────────────────────────────────┼───────────────────────────┼─────────┼───────────┼────────────┼───────────────┼───────────────────────────────────┤
-│ airwindows/airwindows                     │ Airwindows                │ 1.0.0   │ -         │ 2020-02-20 │ mit           │ Effect, Chorus, Distortion, EQ... │
-├───────────────────────────────────────────┼───────────────────────────┼─────────┼───────────┼────────────┼───────────────┼───────────────────────────────────┤
 │ antonok-edm/ampli-fe                      │ ampli-Fe                  │ 0.1.1   │ -         │ 2021-11-02 │ mit           │ Effect, Amplifier, Volume         │
 ├───────────────────────────────────────────┼───────────────────────────┼─────────┼───────────┼────────────┼───────────────┼───────────────────────────────────┤
 │ ardenbutterfield/maim                     │ Maim                      │ 1.1.1   │ -         │ 2025-05-20 │ gpl-3.0       │ Instrument, Modulation, Distor... │
@@ -181,13 +183,19 @@ exports[`List packages 1`] = `
 │ wolf-plugins/wolf-shaper                  │ Wolf Shaper               │ 1.0.2   │ -         │ 2023-05-14 │ gpl-3.0       │ Effect, Distortion, Editor        │
 ├───────────────────────────────────────────┼───────────────────────────┼─────────┼───────────┼────────────┼───────────────┼───────────────────────────────────┤
 │ wolf-plugins/wolf-spectrum                │ Wolf Spectrum             │ 1.0.0   │ -         │ 2019-04-14 │ gpl-3.0       │ Effect, Spectrogram, Frequency    │
-└───────────────────────────────────────────┴───────────────────────────┴─────────┴───────────┴────────────┴───────────────┴───────────────────────────────────┘
+└───────────────────────────────────────────┴───────────────────────────┴─────────┴───────────┴────────────┴───────────────┴───────────────────────────────────┘,
+}
 `;
 
 exports[`List packages 2`] = `
+{
+  code: 0,
+  err: ,
+  out: List plugins
 ┌─────────────────────────┬──────────┬─────────┬───────────┬────────────┬─────────┬───────────────────────────────┐
 │ Id                      │ Name     │ Version │ Installed │ Date       │ License │ Tags                          │
 ├─────────────────────────┼──────────┼─────────┼───────────┼────────────┼─────────┼───────────────────────────────┤
 │ surge-synthesizer/surge │ Surge XT │ 1.3.4   │ ✓         │ 2024-08-11 │ gpl-3.0 │ Instrument, Synth, Modulation │
-└─────────────────────────┴──────────┴─────────┴───────────┴────────────┴─────────┴───────────────────────────────┘
+└─────────────────────────┴──────────┴─────────┴───────────┴────────────┴─────────┴───────────────────────────────┘,
+}
 `;
diff --git a/tests/commands/__snapshots__/open.test.ts.snap b/tests/commands/__snapshots__/open.test.ts.snap
index 54e6a04..b371d0c 100644
--- a/tests/commands/__snapshots__/open.test.ts.snap
+++ b/tests/commands/__snapshots__/open.test.ts.snap
@@ -1,16 +1,34 @@
 // Vitest Snapshot v1, https://vitest.dev/guide/snapshot.html
 
 exports[`Open command help 1`] = `
-Usage: index apps open [options] <input> [options...]
+{
+  code: 0,
+  err: ,
+  out: Usage: index apps open [options] <input> [options...]
 
 Open a package by slug/version
 
 Options:
   -l, --log   Enable logging
-  -h, --help  display help for command
+  -h, --help  display help for command,
+}
 `;
 
-exports[`Open command install and run steinberg/validator mac 1`] = `
+exports[`Open command install and run steinberg/validator 1`] = `
+{
+  code: 0,
+  err: ,
+  out: Install steinberg/validator
+Installed steinberg/validator,
+}
+`;
+
+exports[`Open command install and run steinberg/validator 2`] = `
+{
+  code: 0,
+  err: ,
+  out: Open steinberg/validator
+Opened steinberg/validator
 
 VST 3.6.14 Plug-in Validator:
 -help           | Print help
@@ -24,7 +42,15 @@ VST 3.6.14 Plug-in Validator:
 -snapshots      | List snapshots from all installed Plug-Ins
 
 Usage: vstvalidator [options] vst3module
-
+,
+}
 `;
 
-exports[`Open command with non-existent package 1`] = `Package non-existent/package not found`;
+exports[`Open command with non-existent package 1`] = `
+{
+  code: 1,
+  err: ,
+  out: Open non-existent/package
+Package non-existent/package not found,
+}
+`;
diff --git a/tests/commands/__snapshots__/reset.test.ts.snap b/tests/commands/__snapshots__/reset.test.ts.snap
index c2b05ea..2eef743 100644
--- a/tests/commands/__snapshots__/reset.test.ts.snap
+++ b/tests/commands/__snapshots__/reset.test.ts.snap
@@ -1,3 +1,10 @@
 // Vitest Snapshot v1, https://vitest.dev/guide/snapshot.html
 
-exports[`Reset packages 1`] = `plugins cache has been reset`;
+exports[`Reset packages 1`] = `
+{
+  code: 0,
+  err: ,
+  out: Reset plugins
+Reset complete plugins,
+}
+`;
diff --git a/tests/commands/__snapshots__/scan.test.ts.snap b/tests/commands/__snapshots__/scan.test.ts.snap
index 06becf3..90857a7 100644
--- a/tests/commands/__snapshots__/scan.test.ts.snap
+++ b/tests/commands/__snapshots__/scan.test.ts.snap
@@ -1,3 +1,10 @@
 // Vitest Snapshot v1, https://vitest.dev/guide/snapshot.html
 
-exports[`Scan packages 1`] = `plugins scan completed`;
+exports[`Scan packages 1`] = `
+{
+  code: 0,
+  err: ,
+  out: Scan plugins
+Scanned plugins,
+}
+`;
diff --git a/tests/commands/__snapshots__/search.test.ts.snap b/tests/commands/__snapshots__/search.test.ts.snap
index c961d3b..388a187 100644
--- a/tests/commands/__snapshots__/search.test.ts.snap
+++ b/tests/commands/__snapshots__/search.test.ts.snap
@@ -1,6 +1,10 @@
 // Vitest Snapshot v1, https://vitest.dev/guide/snapshot.html
 
 exports[`Search packages 1`] = `
+{
+  code: 0,
+  err: ,
+  out: Search plugins
 ┌─────────────────────────┬─────────────┬─────────┬───────────┬────────────┬─────────┬────────────────────────────────┐
 │ Id                      │ Name        │ Version │ Installed │ Date       │ License │ Tags                           │
 ├─────────────────────────┼─────────────┼─────────┼───────────┼────────────┼─────────┼────────────────────────────────┤
@@ -9,7 +13,15 @@ exports[`Search packages 1`] = `
 │ tesselode/flutterbird   │ Flutterbird │ 1.0.1   │ -         │ 2018-09-06 │ mit     │ Effect, Pitch, Modulation      │
 ├─────────────────────────┼─────────────┼─────────┼───────────┼────────────┼─────────┼────────────────────────────────┤
 │ surge-synthesizer/surge │ Surge XT    │ 1.3.4   │ ✓         │ 2024-08-11 │ gpl-3.0 │ Instrument, Synth, Modulation  │
-└─────────────────────────┴─────────────┴─────────┴───────────┴────────────┴─────────┴────────────────────────────────┘
+└─────────────────────────┴─────────────┴─────────┴───────────┴────────────┴─────────┴────────────────────────────────┘,
+}
 `;
 
-exports[`Search packages 2`] = `No results found`;
+exports[`Search packages 2`] = `
+{
+  code: 0,
+  err: ,
+  out: Search plugins
+No results found,
+}
+`;
diff --git a/tests/commands/__snapshots__/sync.test.ts.snap b/tests/commands/__snapshots__/sync.test.ts.snap
index 39a8441..3572b6d 100644
--- a/tests/commands/__snapshots__/sync.test.ts.snap
+++ b/tests/commands/__snapshots__/sync.test.ts.snap
@@ -1,3 +1,10 @@
 // Vitest Snapshot v1, https://vitest.dev/guide/snapshot.html
 
-exports[`Sync packages 1`] = `plugins sync completed`;
+exports[`Sync packages 1`] = `
+{
+  code: 0,
+  err: ,
+  out: Sync plugins
+Synced plugins,
+}
+`;
diff --git a/tests/commands/__snapshots__/uninstall.test.ts.snap b/tests/commands/__snapshots__/uninstall.test.ts.snap
index 97dd24c..c35beb4 100644
--- a/tests/commands/__snapshots__/uninstall.test.ts.snap
+++ b/tests/commands/__snapshots__/uninstall.test.ts.snap
@@ -1,7 +1,28 @@
 // Vitest Snapshot v1, https://vitest.dev/guide/snapshot.html
 
-exports[`Uninstall package 1`] = `Uninstalled surge-synthesizer/surge`;
+exports[`Uninstall package 1`] = `
+{
+  code: 0,
+  err: ,
+  out: Uninstall surge-synthesizer/surge
+Uninstalled surge-synthesizer/surge,
+}
+`;
 
-exports[`Uninstall package 2`] = `Uninstalled surge-synthesizer/surge@1.3.1`;
+exports[`Uninstall package 2`] = `
+{
+  code: 0,
+  err: ,
+  out: Uninstall surge-synthesizer/surge@1.3.1
+Uninstalled surge-synthesizer/surge@1.3.1,
+}
+`;
 
-exports[`Uninstall package 3`] = `Package surge-synthesizer/surge version 0.0.0 not found in registry`;
+exports[`Uninstall package 3`] = `
+{
+  code: 1,
+  err: ,
+  out: Uninstall surge-synthesizer/surge@0.0.0
+Package surge-synthesizer/surge version 0.0.0 not found in registry,
+}
+`;
diff --git a/tests/commands/filter.test.ts b/tests/commands/filter.test.ts
index 2de1d42..37a70a9 100644
--- a/tests/commands/filter.test.ts
+++ b/tests/commands/filter.test.ts
@@ -4,6 +4,6 @@ import { License, RegistryType } from '@open-audio-stack/core';
 
 test('Filter packages', async () => {
   expect(cli(RegistryType.Plugins, 'filter', 'name', 'Surge XT')).toMatchSnapshot();
-  expect(cli(RegistryType.Plugins, 'filter', 'name', 'Surge X')).toMatchSnapshot();
+  expect(cli(RegistryType.Plugins, 'filter', 'name', 'Surge XU')).toMatchSnapshot();
   expect(cli(RegistryType.Plugins, 'filter', 'license', License.CreativeCommonsZerov1Universal)).toMatchSnapshot();
 });
diff --git a/tests/commands/open.test.ts b/tests/commands/open.test.ts
index 26e1a1e..b71dc43 100644
--- a/tests/commands/open.test.ts
+++ b/tests/commands/open.test.ts
@@ -1,23 +1,15 @@
 import { expect, test } from 'vitest';
-import { cli, cliCatch, cleanOutput } from '../shared';
+import { cli } from '../shared';
 
 test('Open command help', () => {
-  const result = cli('apps', 'open', '--help');
-  expect(cleanOutput(result)).toMatchSnapshot();
+  expect(cli('apps', 'open', '--help')).toMatchSnapshot();
 });
 
-// Comment out test until it can be fixed
-// test(`Open command install and run steinberg/validator ${getSystem()}`, () => {
-//   // First install the app
-//   const installResult = cli('apps', 'install', 'steinberg/validator');
-//   expect(installResult).toContain('Installed steinberg/validator');
-
-//   const openResult = cli('apps', 'open', 'steinberg/validator', '--', '--help');
-//   expect(cleanOutput(openResult)).toMatchSnapshot();
-// });
+test('Open command install and run steinberg/validator', () => {
+  expect(cli('apps', 'install', 'steinberg/validator')).toMatchSnapshot();
+  // expect(cli('apps', 'open', 'steinberg/validator', '--', '--help')).toMatchSnapshot();
+});
 
 test('Open command with non-existent package', () => {
-  const error = cliCatch('apps', 'open', 'non-existent/package');
-  expect(error.exitCode).toBe(1);
-  expect(cleanOutput(error.stderr)).toMatchSnapshot();
+  expect(cli('apps', 'open', 'non-existent/package')).toMatchSnapshot();
 });
diff --git a/tests/index.test.ts b/tests/index.test.ts
index 4762817..2acd5e9 100644
--- a/tests/index.test.ts
+++ b/tests/index.test.ts
@@ -1,27 +1,19 @@
 import { expect, test } from 'vitest';
-import { cleanOutput, cliCatch } from './shared';
+import { cli } from './shared';
 import { RegistryType } from '@open-audio-stack/core';
 
 test('Root command', async () => {
-  const error = cliCatch();
-  expect(error.exitCode).toBe(1);
-  expect(cleanOutput(error.stderr)).toMatchSnapshot();
+  expect(cli()).toMatchSnapshot();
 });
 
 test('Root command plugins', async () => {
-  const error = cliCatch(RegistryType.Plugins);
-  expect(error.exitCode).toBe(1);
-  expect(cleanOutput(error.stderr)).toMatchSnapshot();
+  expect(cli(RegistryType.Plugins)).toMatchSnapshot();
 });
 
 test('Root command presets', async () => {
-  const error = cliCatch(RegistryType.Presets);
-  expect(error.exitCode).toBe(1);
-  expect(cleanOutput(error.stderr)).toMatchSnapshot();
+  expect(cli(RegistryType.Presets)).toMatchSnapshot();
 });
 
 test('Root command projects', async () => {
-  const error = cliCatch(RegistryType.Projects);
-  expect(error.exitCode).toBe(1);
-  expect(cleanOutput(error.stderr)).toMatchSnapshot();
+  expect(cli(RegistryType.Projects)).toMatchSnapshot();
 });
diff --git a/tests/shared.ts b/tests/shared.ts
index a17fbe5..7f22f22 100644
--- a/tests/shared.ts
+++ b/tests/shared.ts
@@ -7,24 +7,34 @@ import { getSystem, SystemType } from '@open-audio-stack/core';
 const CLI_PATH: string = path.resolve('./', 'build', 'index.js');
 
 // ANSI escape codes for colors and formatting vary across systems
-// Sanitize output for snapshot testing
+// Sanitize output for snapshot testing (only apply to strings)
 expect.addSnapshotSerializer({
-  serialize: val => stripVTControlCharacters(val),
-  test: () => true,
+  serialize: val => stripVTControlCharacters(val as string),
+  test: val => typeof val === 'string',
 });
 
-export function cli(...args: string[]): string {
-  const result: SyncResult = execaSync('node', [CLI_PATH, ...args], {
-    env: { ...process.env, NODE_OPTIONS: '--no-warnings=ExperimentalWarning' },
-  });
-  return cleanOutput(result.stdout as string);
-}
+export type CliResult = {
+  code: number | null;
+  out: string;
+  err: string;
+};
 
-export function cliCatch(...args: string[]) {
+export function cli(...args: string[]): CliResult {
   try {
-    cli(...args);
+    const result: SyncResult = execaSync('node', [CLI_PATH, ...args], {
+      env: { ...process.env, NODE_OPTIONS: '--no-warnings=ExperimentalWarning' },
+    });
+    return {
+      code: result.exitCode ?? 0,
+      out: cleanOutput(String(result.stdout ?? '')),
+      err: cleanOutput(String(result.stderr ?? '')),
+    };
   } catch (error: any) {
-    return error;
+    return {
+      code: error.exitCode ?? 1,
+      out: cleanOutput(String(error.stdout ?? '')),
+      err: cleanOutput(String(error.stderr ?? error.message ?? '')),
+    };
   }
 }