--- /dev/null	Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 1970 +0000
+++ b/lemuriformes/port.py	Sun Dec 10 17:42:52 2017 -0800
@@ -0,0 +1,30 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python
+
+import argparse
+import socket
+import sys
+
+
+def get_free_port():
+    """get a free port on localhost"""
+
+    s = socket.socket(socket.AF_INET, type=socket.SOCK_STREAM)
+    s.bind(('localhost', 0))
+    address, port = s.getsockname()
+    s.close()
+    return port
+
+
+def main(args=sys.argv[1:]):
+    """CLI to get a free port on localhost"""
+
+    # parse command line
+    parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(description=get_free_port.__doc__)
+    options = parser.parse_args()
+
+    # print an open port
+    print (get_free_port())
+
+
+if __name__ == '__main__':
+    main()