/local-docx-editor

name: local-docx-editor
description: |
  Edit Word documents (DOCX) locally without Canva API. Use this skill when user provides
  a DOCX file and wants to modify content, update formatting, or restructure document.
  Maintains original styles, fonts, spacing, and layout. Does NOT require Canva.
  Output goes to output/ folder. Use for: "edit this document", "update section 3", "change Word file".

Local DOCX Editor Skill

> **QUICK REFERENCE** > - **Utility script**: `scripts/local/docx_utils.py` > - **Sample script**: `scripts/samples/sample_docx_edit.py` > - **Safe copy**: `scripts/local/safe_copy.py` > - **Output folder**: `output/docx/` > - **Working folder**: `output/working/` > - **Run with**: `.venv\Scripts\python.exe scripts/samples/sample_docx_edit.py` > - **3-Step workflow**: (1) Copy from `input/` to `output/working/` → (2) Edit the copy → (3) Save to `output/docx/` > - **Python**: ALWAYS use `.venv\Scripts\python.exe` (never bare `python`)

Edit and manipulate Word documents locally without requiring Canva API.

CRITICAL: Never Modify Original Files

1. **ALWAYS** copy the original to `output/working/` first 2. **ALL** edits happen on the copy 3. **SAVE** results to `output/docx/` 4. **ORIGINAL** file remains untouched

When to Use This Skill

Use this skill when:

• User provides a DOCX/DOC file and wants modifications
• Need to update text while maintaining formatting
• Need to add/remove sections
• Need to update tables
• **User has NOT explicitly asked to use Canva**

Capabilities

Read Operations

• Extract all text content
• Get document structure (headings, paragraphs)
• Extract images and tables
• Get styles and formatting info

Write Operations

• Modify text content
• Update tables
• Modify headers/footers
• Apply consistent formatting

Conversion

• DOCX to PDF
• DOCX to plain text

Running Python Scripts (Virtual Environment)

**IMPORTANT**: Always use the virtual environment Python:

# Windows
.venv\Scripts\python.exe scripts/local/script_name.py

# macOS/Linux
.venv/bin/python scripts/local/script_name.py

Workflow

Step 1: Create Safe Copy

.venv\Scripts\python.exe scripts/local/safe_copy.py --source "input/document.docx"

Step 2: Analyze

.venv\Scripts\python.exe scripts/local/docx_utils.py "output/working/document_copy.docx"

Step 3: Make Modifications

Use docx_utils.py for:

• Find and replace text
• Update specific paragraphs
• Modify table cells

Step 4: Save Result

Save to `output/docx/document_modified.docx`

3-Mode Workflow

MODE 1: PLAN

• Analyze document structure
• List sections and word counts
• Document proposed changes

MODE 2: CLARIFY

• Confirm content to modify
• Verify formatting requirements
• Check word count targets

MODE 3: IMPLEMENT

• Create working copy
• Apply modifications
• Save to output folder

Maintaining Format Integrity

Preservation Rules

1. **Styles** - Preserve all named styles 2. **Spacing** - Line and paragraph spacing 3. **Lists** - Bullet and numbering styles 4. **Tables** - Column widths and formatting

Research Capabilities

This skill can:

• Search for Word document best practices
• Look up python-docx documentation
• Research document formatting standards
• Find solutions to specific challenges

Available Scripts

• `docx_utils.py` - Core DOCX analysis and manipulation
• `safe_copy.py` - Create working copies safely

Todo List Tracking (REQUIRED)

**ALWAYS use TodoWrite** to track progress:

[
  {"content": "Create safe working copy", "status": "in_progress", "activeForm": "Creating safe copy"},
  {"content": "Analyze document structure", "status": "pending", "activeForm": "Analyzing document"},
  {"content": "Apply modifications", "status": "pending", "activeForm": "Applying changes"},
  {"content": "Save to output/docx/", "status": "pending", "activeForm": "Saving result"}
]

Output Location

• `output/docx/` - Modified documents
• `output/working/` - Working copies