A stateless Windows CLI that attaches to running Microsoft Excel instances and exposes structured JSON operations for reading (and later writing) workbook data.

v0 targets:

• xl list
• xl sheet list
• xl range read (values + formulas)

Default mode is read-only (--mode ro).

• The tool never spawns new Excel processes.
• In --mode ro, the tool will not write or explicitly trigger refresh/calc/open/close.
• Excel may still perform background work already active in the workbook (RTD/volatile).

1. Build with CMake + MSVC.
2. Open Excel and load a workbook.
3. Run:
   • xl list
   • copy a target_id
   • xl sheet list --target <id>
   • xl range read --target <id> --sheet Sheet1 --a1 A1:C10

All commands output JSON on stdout. Errors also output JSON and use non-zero exit codes.

• SPEC.md — functional spec and JSON contracts
• AGENTS.md — implementation guidance and repo layout for coding agents
• KANBAN.md — milestone plan and task board

• Unit tests: Catch2 (no Excel required)
• Integration tests: PowerShell harness + real Excel (local for now)