diff --git a/docs/api/wuttjamaican/cli.base.rst b/docs/api/wuttjamaican/cli.base.rst
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c937040
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/api/wuttjamaican/cli.base.rst
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+
+``wuttjamaican.cli.base``
+=========================
+
+.. automodule:: wuttjamaican.cli.base
+   :members:
diff --git a/docs/api/wuttjamaican/cli.make_uuid.rst b/docs/api/wuttjamaican/cli.make_uuid.rst
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8350d6e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/api/wuttjamaican/cli.make_uuid.rst
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+
+``wuttjamaican.cli.make_uuid``
+==============================
+
+.. automodule:: wuttjamaican.cli.make_uuid
+   :members:
diff --git a/docs/api/wuttjamaican/cli.rst b/docs/api/wuttjamaican/cli.rst
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c0bb811
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/api/wuttjamaican/cli.rst
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+
+``wuttjamaican.cli``
+====================
+
+.. automodule:: wuttjamaican.cli
+   :members:
diff --git a/docs/api/wuttjamaican/index.rst b/docs/api/wuttjamaican/index.rst
index 0c9d7c0..816593d 100644
--- a/docs/api/wuttjamaican/index.rst
+++ b/docs/api/wuttjamaican/index.rst
@@ -9,6 +9,9 @@
 
    app
    auth
+   cli
+   cli.base
+   cli.make_uuid
    conf
    db
    db.conf
diff --git a/docs/glossary.rst b/docs/glossary.rst
index 3b87762..805de3f 100644
--- a/docs/glossary.rst
+++ b/docs/glossary.rst
@@ -163,8 +163,8 @@ Glossary
    subcommand
      A top-level :term:`command` may expose one or more subcommands,
      for the overall command line interface.  Subcommands are usually
-     the real workhorse; each can perform a different function.  See
-     also :doc:`narr/cli/index`.
+     the real workhorse; each can perform a different function with a
+     custom arg set.  See also :doc:`narr/cli/index`.
 
    virtual environment
      This term comes from the broader Python world and refers to an
diff --git a/docs/index.rst b/docs/index.rst
index d2a6bd4..1e9e36b 100644
--- a/docs/index.rst
+++ b/docs/index.rst
@@ -22,8 +22,10 @@ Features
 
 * flexible configuration, using config files and/or DB settings table
 * flexible architecture, abstracting various portions of the overall app
+* flexible command line interface, using `Typer`_
 * flexible database support, using `SQLAlchemy`_
 
+.. _Typer: https://typer.tiangolo.com
 .. _SQLAlchemy: https://www.sqlalchemy.org
 
 See also these projects which build on WuttJamaican:
diff --git a/docs/narr/cli/builtin.rst b/docs/narr/cli/builtin.rst
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0eafb2b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/narr/cli/builtin.rst
@@ -0,0 +1,41 @@
+
+Built-in Commands
+=================
+
+WuttJamaican comes with one top-level :term:`command`, and some
+:term:`subcommands<subcommand>`.
+
+It uses `Typer`_ for the underlying CLI framework.
+
+.. _Typer: https://typer.tiangolo.com/
+
+
+``wutta``
+---------
+
+This is the top-level command.  Its purpose is to expose subcommands
+pertaining to WuttJamaican.
+
+It is installed to the virtual environment in the ``bin`` folder (or
+``Scripts`` on Windows):
+
+.. code-block:: sh
+
+   cd /path/to/venv
+   bin/wutta --help
+
+Defined in: :mod:`wuttjamaican.cli`
+
+.. program-output:: wutta --help
+
+
+.. _wutta-make-uuid:
+
+``wutta make-uuid``
+-------------------
+
+Print a new universally-unique identifier to standard output.
+
+Defined in: :mod:`wuttjamaican.cli.make_uuid`
+
+.. program-output:: wutta make-uuid --help
diff --git a/docs/narr/cli/commands.rst b/docs/narr/cli/commands.rst
deleted file mode 100644
index de73794..0000000
--- a/docs/narr/cli/commands.rst
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,23 +0,0 @@
-
-Commands
-========
-
-WuttJamaican in fact does not directly provide a way to define a
-command line interface for your app.
-
-The reason is that several good frameworks exist already.  You are
-encouraged to use one of the following to define
-:term:`commands<command>` and :term:`subcommands<subcommand>` as
-needed:
-
-* `Typer <https://typer.tiangolo.com/>`_
-* `Click <https://click.palletsprojects.com/en/latest/>`_
-* :mod:`python:argparse`
-
-For even more options see:
-
-* `awesome-cli-framework <https://github.com/shadawck/awesome-cli-frameworks/blob/master/README.md#python>`_
-* `Hitchhiker’s Guide to Python <https://docs.python-guide.org/scenarios/cli/>`_
-* `Python Wiki <https://wiki.python.org/moin/CommandlineTools>`_
-
-Or if that is overkill you can always just use :doc:`scripts`.
diff --git a/docs/narr/cli/custom.rst b/docs/narr/cli/custom.rst
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d893ba4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/narr/cli/custom.rst
@@ -0,0 +1,105 @@
+
+Custom Commands
+===============
+
+WuttJamaican comes with :doc:`/narr/cli/builtin`.
+
+Using the same framework, each :term:`package` can define additional
+top-level :term:`command(s)<command>` and
+:term:`subcommands<subcommand>` as needed.
+
+
+Top-Level Command
+-----------------
+
+You must "define" *and* "register" your top-level command.  Assuming a
+basic Poser example:
+
+.. code-block:: none
+
+   poser-project
+   ├── poser
+   │   ├── __init__.py
+   │   └── cli.py
+   └── pyproject.toml
+
+Add the command definition to the ``poser.cli`` module::
+
+   from wuttjamaican.cli import make_typer
+
+   poser_typer = make_typer(
+       name='poser',
+       help="Poser - the killer app"
+   )
+
+Then register the command as script in ``pyproject.toml``:
+
+.. code-block:: toml
+
+   [project.scripts]
+   poser = "poser.cli:poser_typer"
+
+Then reinstall your project:
+
+.. code-block:: sh
+
+   pip install -e ~/src/poser
+
+And now you can run your command:
+
+.. code-block:: sh
+
+   poser --help
+
+But it won't really do anything until you add subcommands.
+
+
+Subcommands
+-----------
+
+You must "define" the subcommand of course, but do not need to
+"register" it.  (That happens via function decorator; see below.)
+
+However you *do* need to ensure all modules containing subcommands are
+"eagerly imported" so the runtime discovery process finds everything.
+
+Here we'll define the ``poser hello`` subcommand, by adding it to our
+``poser.cli`` module (from example above)::
+
+   import sys
+   import typer
+   from wuttjamaican.cli import make_typer
+
+   # top-level command
+   poser_typer = make_typer(
+       name='poser',
+       help="Poser - the killer app"
+   )
+
+   # nb. function decorator will auto-register the subcommand
+   @poser_typer.command()
+   def hello(
+           ctx: typer.Context,
+   ):
+       """
+       Hello world example
+       """
+       config = ctx.parent.wutta_config
+       app = config.get_app()
+
+       name = config.get('hello.name', default="WhoAreYou")
+       sys.stdout.write(f'hello {name}\n')
+
+       title = app.get_title()
+       sys.stdout.write(f'from {title}\n')
+
+   # TODO: you may need to import other modules here, if they contain
+   # subcommands and would not be automatically imported otherwise.
+   # nb. *this* current module *is* automatically imported, only
+   # because of the top-level command registration in pyproject.toml
+
+No need to re-install, you can now use the subcommand:
+
+.. code-block:: sh
+
+   poser hello --help
diff --git a/docs/narr/cli/index.rst b/docs/narr/cli/index.rst
index 2070234..fd45a34 100644
--- a/docs/narr/cli/index.rst
+++ b/docs/narr/cli/index.rst
@@ -2,9 +2,24 @@
 Command Line Interface
 ======================
 
+Most apps will need some sort of command line usage, via cron or
+otherwise.  There are two main aspects to it:
+
+There is a proper CLI framework based on `Typer`_, with top-level
+:term:`commands<command>` and :term:`subcommands<subcommand>`.  The
+``wutta`` command is built-in and includes some subcommands, but each
+app can define more of either as needed.  Such (sub)commands are
+installed as part of a :term:`package`.
+
+.. _Typer: https://typer.tiangolo.com
+
+But sometimes you just need an :term:`ad hoc script` which is a single
+file and can be placed anywhere, usually *not* installed as part of a
+package.
+
 .. toctree::
    :maxdepth: 2
 
-   overview
-   commands
+   builtin
+   custom
    scripts
diff --git a/docs/narr/cli/overview.rst b/docs/narr/cli/overview.rst
deleted file mode 100644
index df69f9c..0000000
--- a/docs/narr/cli/overview.rst
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,15 +0,0 @@
-
-Overview
-========
-
-Many apps will need some sort of command line usage, via cron or
-otherwise.  There are two main aspects to it:
-
-First there is the :term:`ad hoc script` which is a single file and
-can be placed anywhere, but is not installed as part of a
-:term:`package`.  See :doc:`scripts`.
-
-But a "true" command line interface may define
-:term:`commands<command>` and :term:`subcommands<subcommand>`, which
-are then installed as part of a package.  See :doc:`commands` for more
-about that.
diff --git a/docs/narr/cli/scripts.rst b/docs/narr/cli/scripts.rst
index cb6cc7d..769a231 100644
--- a/docs/narr/cli/scripts.rst
+++ b/docs/narr/cli/scripts.rst
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ Run that like so:
 
 
 Better Standards
-----------------
+~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
 Keeping it simple, but improving that script per recommended patterns::
 
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ that this also gives you access to the :term:`app handler`::
    def hello(config):
        app = config.get_app()
        print('hello', config.get('hello.name'))
-       print('from', app.appname)
+       print('from', app.get_title())
 
    if __name__ == '__main__':
        config = make_config('my.conf')
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ Output should now be different:
 
    $ python hello.py
    hello George
-   from wutta
+   from WuttJamaican
 
 You are likely to need more imports; it is generally wise to do those
 *within the function* as opposed to the top of the module.  This is to
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ before all packages are imported::
 
        app = config.get_app()
        print('hello', config.get('hello.name'))
-       print('from', app.appname)
+       print('from', app.get_title())
 
        something(config)
 
@@ -143,7 +143,7 @@ Here is the script with logging incorporated::
        log.debug("saying hello")
        app = config.get_app()
        print('hello', config.get('hello.name'))
-       print('from', app.appname)
+       print('from', app.get_title())
 
        log.debug("about to do something")
        if something(config):
diff --git a/pyproject.toml b/pyproject.toml
index a970992..caffa3b 100644
--- a/pyproject.toml
+++ b/pyproject.toml
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ dependencies = [
         "importlib_resources ; python_version < '3.9'",
         "progress",
         "python-configuration",
+        "typer",
 ]
 
 
@@ -40,6 +41,10 @@ docs = ["Sphinx", "sphinxcontrib-programoutput", "enum-tools[sphinx]", "furo"]
 tests = ["pytest-cov", "tox"]
 
 
+[project.scripts]
+wutta = "wuttjamaican.cli:wutta_typer"
+
+
 [project.urls]
 Homepage = "https://wuttaproject.org/"
 Repository = "https://forgejo.wuttaproject.org/wutta/wuttjamaican"
diff --git a/src/wuttjamaican/cli/__init__.py b/src/wuttjamaican/cli/__init__.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9707748
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/wuttjamaican/cli/__init__.py
@@ -0,0 +1,37 @@
+# -*- coding: utf-8; -*-
+################################################################################
+#
+#  WuttJamaican -- Base package for Wutta Framework
+#  Copyright © 2023-2024 Lance Edgar
+#
+#  This file is part of Wutta Framework.
+#
+#  Wutta Framework 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.
+#
+#  Wutta Framework 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
+#  Wutta Framework.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+#
+################################################################################
+"""
+WuttJamaican - command line interface
+
+See also :doc:`/narr/cli/index`.
+
+This (``wuttjamaican.cli``) namespace exposes the following:
+
+* :func:`~wuttjamaican.cli.base.make_typer`
+* :data:`~wuttjamaican.cli.base.wutta_typer` (top-level command)
+"""
+
+from .base import wutta_typer, make_typer
+
+# TODO: is this the best we can do, to register available commands?
+from . import make_uuid
diff --git a/src/wuttjamaican/cli/base.py b/src/wuttjamaican/cli/base.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..05e3454
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/wuttjamaican/cli/base.py
@@ -0,0 +1,108 @@
+# -*- coding: utf-8; -*-
+################################################################################
+#
+#  WuttJamaican -- Base package for Wutta Framework
+#  Copyright © 2023-2024 Lance Edgar
+#
+#  This file is part of Wutta Framework.
+#
+#  Wutta Framework 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.
+#
+#  Wutta Framework 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
+#  Wutta Framework.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+#
+################################################################################
+"""
+WuttJamaican - core command logic
+
+See also :doc:`/narr/cli/index`.
+
+.. data:: wutta_typer
+
+   This is the top-level ``wutta`` :term:`command`, using the Typer
+   framework.
+
+   See also :func:`make_typer()`.
+"""
+
+import logging
+from pathlib import Path
+from typing import List, Optional
+
+import typer
+from typing_extensions import Annotated
+
+from wuttjamaican.conf import make_config
+
+
+def make_cli_config(ctx: typer.Context):
+    """
+    Make a :term:`config object` according to the command-line context
+    (params).
+
+    This function is normally called by :func:`typer_callback()`.
+
+    This function calls :func:`~wuttjamaican.conf.make_config()` using
+    config files specified via command line (if any).
+
+    :param ctx: ``typer.Context`` instance
+
+    :returns: :class:`~wuttjamaican.conf.WuttaConfig` instance
+    """
+    logging.basicConfig()
+    return make_config(files=ctx.params.get('config_paths') or None)
+
+
+def typer_callback(
+        ctx: typer.Context,
+
+        config_paths: Annotated[
+            Optional[List[Path]],
+            typer.Option('--config', '-c',
+                         exists=True,
+                         help="Config path (may be specified more than once)")] = None,
+):
+    """
+    Generic callback for use with top-level commands.  This adds some
+    top-level args:
+
+    * ``--config`` (and ``-c``)
+
+    This callback is responsible for creating the :term:`config
+    object` for the command.  (It calls :func:`make_cli_config()` for
+    that.)  It then attaches it to the context as
+    ``ctx.wutta_config``.
+    """
+    ctx.wutta_config = make_cli_config(ctx)
+
+
+def make_typer(**kwargs):
+    """
+    Create a Typer command instance, per Wutta conventions.
+
+    This function is used to create the top-level ``wutta`` command,
+    :data:`wutta_typer`.  You can use it to create additional
+    top-level commands for your app if needed.  (And don't forget to
+    register; see :doc:`/narr/cli/custom`.)
+
+    :param callback: Override for the ``Typer.callback`` param.  If
+       not specified, :func:`typer_callback` is used.
+
+    :returns: ``typer.Typer`` instance
+    """
+    kwargs.setdefault('callback', typer_callback)
+    return typer.Typer(**kwargs)
+
+
+wutta_typer = make_typer(
+    name='wutta',
+    help="Wutta Software Framework"
+)
diff --git a/src/wuttjamaican/cli/make_uuid.py b/src/wuttjamaican/cli/make_uuid.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..21b9cf7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/wuttjamaican/cli/make_uuid.py
@@ -0,0 +1,44 @@
+# -*- coding: utf-8; -*-
+################################################################################
+#
+#  WuttJamaican -- Base package for Wutta Framework
+#  Copyright © 2023-2024 Lance Edgar
+#
+#  This file is part of Wutta Framework.
+#
+#  Wutta Framework 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.
+#
+#  Wutta Framework 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
+#  Wutta Framework.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+#
+################################################################################
+"""
+See also: :ref:`wutta-make-uuid`
+"""
+
+import sys
+
+import typer
+
+from .base import wutta_typer
+
+
+@wutta_typer.command()
+def make_uuid(
+        ctx: typer.Context,
+):
+    """
+    Generate a new UUID
+    """
+    config = ctx.parent.wutta_config
+    app = config.get_app()
+    uuid = app.make_uuid()
+    sys.stdout.write(f"{uuid}\n")
diff --git a/tests/cli/__init__.py b/tests/cli/__init__.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e69de29
diff --git a/tests/cli/example.conf b/tests/cli/example.conf
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e69de29
diff --git a/tests/cli/test_base.py b/tests/cli/test_base.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..214843e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/cli/test_base.py
@@ -0,0 +1,39 @@
+# -*- coding: utf-8; -*-
+
+import os
+from unittest import TestCase
+from unittest.mock import MagicMock
+
+import typer
+
+from wuttjamaican.conf import WuttaConfig
+from wuttjamaican.cli import base as mod
+
+
+here = os.path.dirname(__file__)
+example_conf = os.path.join(here, 'example.conf')
+
+
+class TestMakeCliConfig(TestCase):
+
+    def test_basic(self):
+        ctx = MagicMock(params={'config_paths': [example_conf]})
+        config = mod.make_cli_config(ctx)
+        self.assertIsInstance(config, WuttaConfig)
+        self.assertEqual(config.files_read, [example_conf])
+
+
+class TestTyperCallback(TestCase):
+
+    def test_basic(self):
+        ctx = MagicMock(params={'config_paths': [example_conf]})
+        mod.typer_callback(ctx)
+        self.assertIsInstance(ctx.wutta_config, WuttaConfig)
+        self.assertEqual(ctx.wutta_config.files_read, [example_conf])
+
+
+class TestMakeTyper(TestCase):
+
+    def test_basic(self):
+        typr = mod.make_typer()
+        self.assertIsInstance(typr, typer.Typer)
diff --git a/tests/cli/test_make_uuid.py b/tests/cli/test_make_uuid.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..05c5c8b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/cli/test_make_uuid.py
@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
+# -*- coding: utf-8; -*-
+
+import os
+from unittest import TestCase
+from unittest.mock import MagicMock, patch
+
+from wuttjamaican.cli import make_uuid as mod
+
+
+here = os.path.dirname(__file__)
+example_conf = os.path.join(here, 'example.conf')
+
+
+class TestMakeUuid(TestCase):
+
+    def test_basic(self):
+        ctx = MagicMock(params={'config_paths': [example_conf]})
+        with patch.object(mod, 'sys') as sys:
+            mod.make_uuid(ctx)
+            sys.stdout.write.assert_called_once()