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