# Overview

Interlynk provides a set of open-source command-line tools for SBOM management, quality scoring, and assembly. These tools integrate with the Interlynk platform and can operate standalone in CI/CD pipelines, local development environments, and automated workflows.

***

## Available CLIs

| Tool                                                              | Purpose                                                               | Repository                                                        |
| ----------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------- |
| [pylynk](https://docs.interlynk.io/productivity-tools/pylynk)     | CLI client for the Interlynk platform — upload, download, query SBOMs | [interlynk-io/pylynk](https://github.com/interlynk-io/pylynk)     |
| [lynk-mcp](https://docs.interlynk.io/productivity-tools/lynk-mcp) | MCP server for AI assistant integration with Interlynk                | [interlynk-io/lynk-mcp](https://github.com/interlynk-io/lynk-mcp) |
| [sbomqs](https://docs.interlynk.io/productivity-tools/sbomqs)     | SBOM quality scoring and compliance validation                        | [interlynk-io/sbomqs](https://github.com/interlynk-io/sbomqs)     |
| [sbomasm](https://docs.interlynk.io/productivity-tools/sbomasm)   | SBOM assembly — merge, edit, enrich, sign, and view SBOMs             | [interlynk-io/sbomasm](https://github.com/interlynk-io/sbomasm)   |

***

## When to Use Each Tool

| Scenario                                           | Recommended Tool |
| -------------------------------------------------- | ---------------- |
| Upload SBOMs to Interlynk from CI/CD               | pylynk           |
| Download enriched SBOMs from Interlynk             | pylynk           |
| Query vulnerabilities or products programmatically | pylynk           |
| Natural language SBOM queries via AI assistants    | lynk-mcp         |
| Evaluate SBOM quality before upload                | sbomqs           |
| Enforce compliance standards (NTIA, BSI)           | sbomqs           |
| Merge multiple SBOMs into one                      | sbomasm          |
| Enrich SBOMs with license data                     | sbomasm          |
| Edit SBOM metadata (supplier, author, version)     | sbomasm          |
| Sign and verify SBOMs                              | sbomasm          |

***

## Authentication

All tools that interact with the Interlynk platform require an API token. See [API Key Management](https://docs.interlynk.io/administration/api-key-management) for token creation and management.

```bash
# Set once for pylynk
export INTERLYNK_SECURITY_TOKEN="lynk_service_your_token"

# Set once for lynk-mcp
lynk-mcp configure
```

{% hint style="warning" %}
Use **service tokens** for CI/CD and automation. Use **user tokens** only for local, interactive sessions. See [Least Privilege Recommendations](https://docs.interlynk.io/administration/api-key-management#least-privilege-recommendations).
{% endhint %}