analyze-attachment

name	analyze-attachment
description	Analyze PDF/DOCX attachments, create notes, and return lightweight proposals. Reads content via para_read, analyzes, creates note with para_create, and persists proposal. Worker skill for triage orchestrator.
user-invocable	false

Analyze Attachment

Analyze PDF or DOCX attachments, create the note, and return a lightweight proposal.

Key design: Like analyze-web and analyze-voice, this skill creates the note AND returns a proposal. The full content stays in subagent context — only the proposal flows back to the coordinator.

Input

You receive:

• file: Path to attachment inbox note (e.g., 00 Inbox/📎 document.md — the inbox note referencing the attachment)
• areas: Available areas in vault
• projects: Available projects in vault

Output

Return a JSON proposal per @plugins/para-obsidian/skills/triage/references/proposal-schema.md.

Key: Use area (single wikilink), project (single wikilink or null), resourceType (camelCase). Include file, type: "attachment", created, layer1_injected, and document_type alongside the standard proposal fields.

For attachments, always set source_format: "document". Include document_type (invoice, contract, cv, letter, medical, report, manual) as an attachment-specific field.

Workflow

Step 1: Read Inbox Note

para_read({ file: "[input file]", response_format: "json" })

Extract frontmatter fields (source, type, pre-filled areas/projects) and body content from the inbox note. The inbox note typically contains extracted text from the attachment (placed there by the CLI scan step or Web Clipper).

Do NOT call para_fm_get separately — para_read returns the full file including frontmatter.

Step 2: Analyze Content

Based on the extracted content in the inbox note, determine:

1. Document type: Invoice, contract, CV, letter, medical, report, manual
2. Template: Most attachments → resource, invoices → invoice, bookings → booking
3. Key information: Dates, amounts, parties, terms
4. Area/project: Which vault area does this belong to?

Step 3: Pre-Creation Self-Check

Before calling para_create, verify your args object includes critical fields:

If resource:

• summary — one-sentence description
• areas — wikilink(s)
• source_format — "document"
• resource_type — based on document type

If invoice/booking:

• Template-specific fields (see proposal-schema.md)

Step 4: Create Note (Single Call)

Use para_create with the content parameter to create the note AND inject key content:

para_create({
  template: proposed_template,
  title: proposed_title,
  args: { ...fields from validArgs },
  content: {
    "<content-target-heading>": formattedContent
  },
  response_format: "json"
})

Content formatting for attachments: Extract key passages with page references. Target 2-3k tokens. Use #### headings for structure.

If para_create fails: Set created: null, layer1_injected: null, continue with proposal.

Step 5: Verify & Repair

During triage: Skip this step entirely. Set verification_status: "pending_coordinator" and verification_issues: []. The coordinator handles verification in Phase 2.5.

Standalone callers: Call para_fm_get and verify critical fields. Repair mismatches via para_fm_set.

Step 6: Return Proposal

Return the lightweight JSON proposal. The note is already created.

Document Type Classification

The CLI uses heuristic classifiers for common document types:

Type	Filename Patterns	Content Patterns
invoice	*invoice*, *receipt*, *bill*	"total", "amount due", "payment"
contract	*contract*, *agreement*	"parties", "terms", "signature"
cv	*cv*, *resume*	"experience", "education", "skills"
letter	*letter*	"dear", "sincerely", formal address
medical	*medical*, *health*	"diagnosis", "prescription", "patient"
report	*report*	"findings", "analysis", "recommendations"

CLI Commands Reference

# Full inbox scan (recommended)
para scan

# Execute approved suggestions
para execute

# Process specific file
para process-inbox --file "path/to/file.pdf"

# Preview without changes
para process-inbox --dry-run

# Auto-approve (no prompts)
para process-inbox --auto

# Registry management
para registry list     # Show processed items
para registry remove   # Remove from registry
para registry clear    # Clear all

Attachment Handling

Unlike clippings and transcriptions, attachments are NOT deleted or moved:

1. Attachment stays in place (e.g., 00 Inbox/Attachments/doc.pdf)
2. Resource note created with source linking to attachment
3. Link format: [[00 Inbox/Attachments/doc.pdf]]

This preserves the original document while creating a searchable, connected note.

Example Output

{
  "file": "00 Inbox/Attachments/Telstra-Invoice-Jan-2024.pdf",
  "type": "attachment",
  "proposed_title": "Telstra Invoice January 2024",
  "proposed_template": "invoice",
  "summary": "Monthly Telstra bill for January 2024. Total amount $89.95 for mobile plan. Due date February 15, 2024.",
  "categorization_hints": [
    "Monthly mobile plan charge: $89.95",
    "Due date: February 15, 2024",
    "Account number: 1234567890"
  ],
  "area": "[[🌱 Finance]]",
  "project": null,
  "document_type": "invoice",
  "source_format": "document",
  "confidence": "high",
  "notes": 

Deep Analysis Mode

For ambiguous documents (multiple valid interpretations):

{
  "options": [
    {
      "label": "A",
      "interpretation": "Employment Contract",
      "proposed_template": "resource",
      "document_type": "contract",
      "rationale": "Contains employment terms, salary, start date"
    },
    {
      "label": "B",
      "interpretation": "Offer Letter",
      "proposed_template": "resource",
      "document_type": "letter",
      "rationale": "Formal letter format, conditional language"
    },
    {
      "label": "C",
      "interpretation": 
       
       
       
    
  

Why This Skill Exists

Beyond processing attachments, this skill serves as living documentation for the para CLI:

1. ADHD-friendly - Skills you build, then forget how to use
2. Always up-to-date - Used by AI, so errors get noticed
3. Contextual help - When processing attachments, you see how the CLI works

The CLI does the heavy lifting (extraction, classification). This skill documents when and how to use it.