local target="${1:-}"
    if [[ -z "$target" ]]; then
        echo "usage: nbash <new_script_name>"
        return 1
    fi

    # PREVENT OVERWRITES
    # exit immediately if the target file already exists
    if [[ -f "$target" ]]; then
        echo "error: file '$target' already exists."
        return 1
    fi

    # CREATE DIRECTORIES
    # ensure the parent directory structure exists before creating the file
    mkdir -p "$(dirname "$target")"

    # TEMPLATE SELECTION
    # use the external template if available, otherwise generate inline
    local template="$HOME/.bash_templates/script.sh"
    if [[ -f "$template" ]]; then
        cp "$template" "$target"
    else
        cat > "$target" <<EOF
#!/usr/bin/env bash
# AUTHOR: Daesorin
# CREATED: $(date +"%F %R %z")

set -euo pipefail

main() {
    # main execution block
    echo "Hello, world!"
}

main "\$@"
EOF
    fi

    # FILE PERMISSIONS
    # grant read, write, and execute to the owner, and read to others
    chmod u=rwx,go=r "$target"

    # LAUNCH EDITOR
    # open the target in the user environment editor
    ${EDITOR:-vim} "$target"