Currently, Cluster clients can use either the older CLUSTER NODES command or the newer CLUSTER SLOTS command.

CLUSTER NODES is more difficult to parse or extend, because it produces a textual line-based and not a RESP-friendly reply. It also mixes up topology information along with administrative state information which is less relevant for clients.

CLUSTER SLOTS addresses the CLUSTER NODES shortcomings and produces a native RESP reply. However, it groups node information per hash slot range so in a fragmented cluster it is very inefficient.

The goal is to come up with a new command (or an enhancement to CLUSTER SLOTS, if possible) that is both easy to parse, extensible and efficient.