PDF Skill

Purpose

This skill provides utilities for reading, extracting, modifying, and generating PDF files.

Use this skill whenever a user asks to:

• read text from a PDF
• extract tables
• split pages
• merge PDFs
• create or rewrite PDFs
• convert PDFs to text

All file operations occur inside the local "workdir/" folder.

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How to execute actions

You MUST execute work by calling:

run_python_script

Arguments:

• skill: "pdf"
• script: the python filename inside scripts/
• args: list of CLI arguments

DO NOT explain code.
DO NOT simulate results.
ALWAYS call run_python_script when a PDF operation is required.

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Available Scripts

extract_text.py

Purpose:
Extract all text from a PDF into a .txt file.

Arguments:
--in input.pdf
--out output.txt

Example tool call:
skill="pdf"
script="extract_text.py"
args=["--in","report.pdf","--out","report.txt"]

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query_pdf_simple.py

Purpose: answer any question about a PDF by sending extracted text (with auto chunk-summarize fallback)
Args: --in input.pdf --q "question"

Example query you’d type in your agent

“From report.pdf, what is the total revenue in 2024? Please cite the relevant wording.”

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split_pdf.py

Purpose:
Extract a page range into a new PDF.

Arguments:
--in input.pdf
--start 1
--end 5
--out part.pdf

Example:
args=["--in","book.pdf","--start","1","--end","5","--out","part.pdf"]

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merge_pdf.py

Purpose:
Merge multiple PDFs into one.

Arguments:
--in a.pdf b.pdf c.pdf
--out merged.pdf

Example:
args=["--in","a.pdf","b.pdf","c.pdf","--out","merged.pdf"]

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Decision Rules

If user says:

"extract text"
→ use extract_text.py

"split pages" or "pages 1-5"
→ use split_pdf.py

"merge/combine"
→ use merge_pdf.py

If unsure:
choose the script that most directly performs the requested transformation.

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Output Rules

Scripts return JSON or text in stdout.

After running a script:

• read stdout
• summarize result to the user
• report created filenames

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Examples

User: Extract text from report.pdf
Action:
run extract_text.py

User: Split first 3 pages
Action:
run split_pdf.py

User: Merge a.pdf and b.pdf
Action:
run merge_pdf.py

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Safety Rules

• Only operate on files inside workdir/
• Never invent file contents
• Never pretend execution
• Always use run_python_script