# Reader Mode Bridge > Turn saved HTML, copied article text, or PDF excerpts into a deterministic local reading handoff with clean metadata and export-ready output. - Skill: `arnie016/reader-mode-bridge` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 14 files) - Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add arnie016/reader-mode-bridge` - Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/arnie016/reader-mode-bridge/raw - Safety review: pending - Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex - Category: Web & Frontend - Author: Arnie016 (https://skillmd.com/u/arnie016) - Updated: 2026-09-17 - Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/arnie016/reader-mode-bridge --- # Reader Mode Bridge Use this skill when the user needs a real local cleanup pass before a web article, PDF excerpt, or copied reading fragment moves into notes, chat, or another document. Reader Mode Bridge fits best when the task is about: - turning copied reading input into one stable handoff without another cleanup pass - preserving title, source, and readable body text when the original input is noisy - attaching front-browser-tab metadata to clipboard text so the handoff keeps its source - exporting a clean reading payload as markdown, prompt text, plain text, or JSON ## Quick Start From the skill folder: ```bash python3 scripts/reader_mode_bridge.py doctor python3 scripts/reader_mode_bridge.py clean --clipboard --front-tab --format markdown python3 scripts/reader_mode_bridge.py clean --file ~/Downloads/article.html --format prompt python3 scripts/reader_mode_bridge.py clean --file ~/Downloads/paper.pdf --title "Paper excerpt" --format markdown pbpaste | python3 scripts/reader_mode_bridge.py clean --stdin --source-url https://example.com/article --format prompt python3 scripts/reader_mode_bridge.py copy --text "

Sample

Reader handoff body.

" --format markdown ``` ## What the helper does - reads saved HTML, markdown, text, clipboard content, stdin, or local PDFs when `pdftotext` is available - removes common boilerplate such as share prompts, cookie lines, duplicate lines, and other short navigation debris - keeps one clean title, one source label, and one readable body so the handoff lands in notes or chat without manual repair - can attach the current Safari or Chrome-family front-tab title and URL when the article text came from the clipboard - renders plain text, markdown, prompt-friendly text, or JSON output and can copy the result to the macOS clipboard ## Workflow 1. Run `doctor` once if you need to confirm `pbcopy`, `pbpaste`, `pdftotext`, or AppleScript support. 2. Use `clean` with `--clipboard`, `--stdin`, `--text`, or `--file` to create the reading handoff. 3. Add `--front-tab` when the source text came from a browser and you want the current tab metadata attached automatically. 4. Use `copy` when the next move is pasting the cleaned handoff directly into Codex, Notes, a ticket, or a chat thread. ## Guardrails - Do not invent source metadata that is not present in the input, the supplied flags, or the active front tab. - Keep the tool local and deterministic; it should not depend on network access or remote reader services. - Treat PDF extraction as best-effort and fail clearly when `pdftotext` is unavailable instead of pretending the PDF was read. - Reader Mode Bridge cleans and formats content; it should not summarize, rewrite, or mutate the source beyond cleanup and truncation. ## Prototype - `prototype/` sketches a menu-bar shell with source metadata, cleanup notes, reading metrics, and export actions. - Keep the SwiftUI surface menu-bar first and compact enough to support the quick "clean this and move it on" moment. ## Resources - `scripts/reader_mode_bridge.py`: deterministic local helper for reading cleanup and export - `references/cleanup-contract.md`: supported inputs, outputs, and cleanup heuristics - `prototype/`: SwiftUI starter files for a compact macOS reader handoff surface