/local-pdf-editor

name: local-pdf-editor
description: |
  Edit PDF files locally without Canva API. Use this skill when user provides a PDF file
  and wants to modify content, extract text, merge/split pages, or update specific sections.
  Maintains original formatting, spacing, fonts, and layout. Does NOT require Canva.
  Output goes to the output/ folder. Use for: "edit this PDF", "change page 15", "update text in PDF".

Local PDF Editor Skill

> **QUICK REFERENCE** > - **Scripts**: `scripts/local/pdf_utils.py`, `scripts/local/safe_copy.py` > - **Sample script**: `scripts/samples/sample_pdf_edit.py` > - **Output**: `output/pdf/` > - **Working dir**: `output/working/` > - **Python**: `.venv\Scripts\python.exe` (Windows) or `.venv/bin/python` (Mac/Linux) > - **Step 1**: `.venv\Scripts\python.exe scripts/local/safe_copy.py --source "input/file.pdf"` > - **Step 2**: `.venv\Scripts\python.exe scripts/local/pdf_utils.py "output/working/file_copy.pdf"` > - **Step 3**: Edit the copy, save to `output/pdf/`

Edit and manipulate PDF files 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/pdf/` 4. **ORIGINAL** file remains untouched

When to Use This Skill

Use this skill when:

• User provides a PDF file and wants modifications
• Need to extract text from PDF
• Need to merge or split PDF pages
• Need to update specific content while maintaining layout
• **User has NOT explicitly asked to use Canva**

Capabilities

Read Operations

• Extract text from PDF (all pages or specific)
• Extract images from PDF
• Get PDF metadata (pages, size, fonts)
• Analyze PDF structure

Write Operations

• Modify text content (maintaining layout)
• Add/remove pages
• Merge multiple PDFs
• Split PDF into separate files
• Add watermarks or headers/footers

Conversion

• PDF to DOCX (for easier editing)
• PDF to images (PNG/JPG)
• PDF to text
• DOCX back to PDF

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 for Content Modification

Step 1: Create Safe Copy

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

Step 2: Analyze the PDF

.venv\Scripts\python.exe scripts/local/pdf_utils.py "output/working/document_copy.pdf"

Step 3: For Text Modifications

# Convert to DOCX for easier editing
.venv\Scripts\python.exe scripts/local/pdf_to_docx.py --file "output/working/document_copy.pdf"

# Make modifications to the DOCX

# Convert back to PDF
.venv\Scripts\python.exe scripts/local/docx_to_pdf.py --file "output/working/document_copy.docx" --output "output/pdf/document_modified.pdf"

3-Mode Workflow

MODE 1: PLAN

• Analyze the PDF structure
• Document current state (pages, content)
• List proposed changes
• Identify what will NOT change

MODE 2: CLARIFY

• Confirm which content to modify
• Ask about formatting preferences
• Verify output requirements

MODE 3: IMPLEMENT

• Create working copy
• Make modifications
• Save to output folder
• Report results

Research Capabilities

This skill can:

• Search the web for PDF manipulation techniques
• Look up PDF format specifications
• Research best practices for maintaining formatting
• Find solutions to specific PDF challenges

Available Scripts

• `pdf_utils.py` - Core PDF 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 PDF structure", "status": "pending", "activeForm": "Analyzing PDF"},
  {"content": "Apply modifications", "status": "pending", "activeForm": "Applying changes"},
  {"content": "Save to output/pdf/", "status": "pending", "activeForm": "Saving result"}
]

Output Location

All modified files saved to:

• `output/pdf/` - Modified PDFs
• `output/working/` - Intermediate files