diff --git a/main.go b/main.go
index 7a02f37..29691e4 100644
--- a/main.go
+++ b/main.go
@@ -12,8 +12,8 @@ import (
 	"cook/processor"
 	"cook/utils"
 
-	"github.com/spf13/cobra"
 	logger "git.site.quack-lab.dev/dave/cylogger"
+	"github.com/spf13/cobra"
 )
 
 //go:embed example_cook.toml
@@ -54,12 +54,16 @@ Features:
 - Parallel file processing
 - Command filtering and organization`,
 		PersistentPreRun: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) {
-			CreateExampleConfig()
 			logger.InitFlag()
 			mainLogger.Info("Initializing with log level: %s", logger.GetLevel().String())
 			mainLogger.Trace("Full argv: %v", os.Args)
 		},
 		Run: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) {
+			exampleFlag, _ := cmd.Flags().GetBool("example")
+			if exampleFlag {
+				CreateExampleConfig()
+				return
+			}
 			if len(args) == 0 {
 				cmd.Usage()
 				return
@@ -76,6 +80,7 @@ Features:
 	rootCmd.Flags().StringP("filter", "f", "", "Filter commands before running them")
 	rootCmd.Flags().Bool("json", false, "Enable JSON mode for processing JSON files")
 	rootCmd.Flags().BoolP("conv", "c", false, "Convert YAML files to TOML format")
+	rootCmd.Flags().BoolP("example", "e", false, "Generate example_cook.toml and exit")
 
 	// Set up examples in the help text
 	rootCmd.SetUsageTemplate(`Usage:{{if .Runnable}}