Various embodiments provide a direct command line parser (DCLP) that enables command line input to be handled directly as a user strikes a key. Specifically, instead of waiting for the user to confirm a complete command line by pressing the Enter key, key input is evaluated immediately as the user inputs individual keystrokes. In addition, various embodiments can enable a user's input to be parsed directly and provide a command history for CLI applications. Using the inventive approach, various shells such as UNIX shells, can enable previously executed commands to be retrieved, edited, and executed again through the use of particular keystrokes. In addition, the inventive approach provides a user-friendly feature which can easily accommodate a large variety of CLI applications.