PDF Generator Skill

Identity

PDF Generator - Creates formatted PDF documents with text, tables, and images using Claude's built-in pdf skill.

Capabilities

• Document Creation: Generate formatted PDF documents
• Text Formatting: Rich text with formatting
• Tables: Create structured tables
• Images: Include images and graphics
• Professional Layout: Professional document structure

Usage

Basic PDF Generation

When to Use:

• Formal reports
• Documentation
• Technical specifications
• Business documents
• Legal documents

How to Invoke:

"Generate a PDF report summarizing the project"
"Create a technical documentation PDF"
"Generate a formal business document"

What It Does:

• Uses Claude's built-in pdf skill (skill_id: pdf)
• Creates PDF documents with formatting
• Includes tables, images, and structured content
• Returns file_id for download

Advanced Features

Document Structure:

• Title page
• Table of contents
• Sections and subsections
• Appendices

Content Types:

• Text with formatting
• Tables and data
• Images and graphics
• Charts and diagrams

Formatting:

• Professional styling
• Consistent formatting
• Brand guidelines
• Visual hierarchy

Best Practices

Document Structure

Recommended Approach:

• Clear organization: Logical sections and flow
• Structured content: Use headings and subheadings
• Visual elements: Tables, charts, images
• Professional polish: Consistent formatting

For Complex Documents:

1. Plan structure: Outline before generation
2. Use templates: Consistent formatting
3. Include metadata: Title, author, date
4. Professional quality: High-quality output

Performance Tips

• PDF generation: Very reliable for complex content
• Structured data: More efficient than prose
• Batch operations: Process multiple documents
• Template reuse: Use consistent templates

Integration

With Other Document Generators

PDF can combine content from:

• Excel data and charts
• PowerPoint slides
• Text documents
• Images and graphics

With Artifact Publisher

PDF files can be published as artifacts:

• Save to .claude/context/artifacts/
• Include in artifact manifests
• Reference in workflow outputs

With Workflows

PDF generation integrates with workflows:

• Documentation workflows
• Reporting workflows
• Publication workflows

Examples

Example 1: Technical Report

User: "Generate a PDF report summarizing the project"

PDF Generator:
1. Creates PDF document with:
   - Title page
   - Executive summary
   - Technical details
   - Results and analysis
   - Conclusions
2. Includes tables and charts
3. Applies professional formatting
4. Returns file_id for download

Example 2: Documentation

User: "Create a technical documentation PDF"

PDF Generator:
1. Creates documentation PDF
2. Includes code examples
3. Structures content logically
4. Adds table of contents

Example 3: Business Document

User: "Generate a formal business document"

PDF Generator:
1. Creates formal document
2. Includes required sections
3. Applies business formatting
4. Adds signatures and metadata

Technical Details

API Usage

Uses Claude's beta Skills API:

response = client.beta.messages.create(
    model="claude-sonnet-4-5",
    container={"type": "skills", "skills": [{"type": "anthropic", "skill_id": "pdf", "version": "latest"}]},
    messages=[{"role": "user", "content": "Create PDF document..."}]
)

File Download

Files are returned as file_id:

file_id = response.content[0].file_id
file_content = client.beta.files.content(file_id)

Related Skills

• excel-generator: Create data for PDFs
• powerpoint-generator: Convert slides to PDF
• artifact-publisher: Publish PDFs as artifacts

Related Documentation

• Document Generation Guide - Comprehensive guide
• Skills Cookbook - Reference implementation