# DOCX Style

> Defines the preferred formatting and style for all Word (.docx) documents. Always read this skill whenever creating any .docx file, in addition to the docx creation skill. Apply this style guide to every document — reports, PRDs, memos, briefs — unless the user explicitly overrides a specific setting.

- Skill: `cozren/docx-style` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add cozren/docx-style`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/cozren/docx-style/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Docs & Writing
- Author: cozren (https://skillmd.com/u/cozren)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/cozren/docx-style

---


# Document Style Guide

This file defines the visual and formatting standards for all .docx output. Read and apply this every time a Word document is created.

---

## Typography

- **Font:** Google Docs default — Arial, 11pt for body text
- **Title:** Arial, 20pt, bold, black (#000000)
- **Section headings:** Arial, 13pt, bold, black — numbered (e.g. "1. Background & Context")
- **Sub-headings:** Arial, 11pt, bold, black (not numbered)
- **Body text:** Arial, 11pt, regular weight, black (#1A1A1A)
- **Line spacing:** 1.15 for body paragraphs
- **Paragraph spacing:** 12pt after each paragraph, 0pt before

---

## Page Layout

- **Page size:** A4 (11906 × 16838 DXA) — this is a Google Docs document
- **Margins:** 1 inch on all sides (1440 DXA)
- **No header or footer** — leave both empty
- **No page border or decorative elements**

---

## Title Block (always at top of document)

Every document starts with:
```
[Document Title]         ← Arial 20pt bold
                         ← one blank line
Status: [value]          ← Arial 11pt, label bold, value regular
Last updated: [date]     ← Arial 11pt, label bold, value regular
Document Owner: [Your Name]   ← Arial 11pt, label bold, value regular (default owner)
Stakeholders: [names]    ← Arial 11pt, label bold, value regular
```

**Default owner:** Set your name as the default Document Owner and pre-fill it unless the user specifies otherwise.

**Regarding dates and @mentions:**
- Word (.docx) does not support live date pickers or @mention tagging — those are Google Docs features
- Instead: write the date as plain text in DD Mon YYYY format (e.g. "2 Feb 2026")
- Write stakeholder names as plain text (e.g. "Alex Kim, Sam Rivera")
- If the user wants tagging/date pickers, remind them to add those after opening in Google Docs

Add a light horizontal rule (thin single border, color #CCCCCC) below the title block to separate it from the body.

---

## Section Headings

- Numbered sequentially: "1. Section Name", "2. Section Name" etc.
- Arial 13pt, bold
- 24pt spacing before, 8pt spacing after
- No underline, no color, no background
- Do NOT use decorative borders on headings

---

## Body Text

- Arial 11pt, regular
- 1.15 line spacing
- 12pt space after paragraphs
- Use **bold inline** to highlight key terms, decisions, or important phrases — sparingly
- Do not use italic for emphasis (only use italic for citations or titles if needed)

---

## Lists

**Bullet lists:**
- First-level: filled circle bullet (•), indent 0.5 inch
- Second-level: hollow circle (○), indent 1.0 inch
- Third-level: filled square (▪), indent 1.5 inch
- Font: Arial 11pt, 6pt spacing after each item

**Numbered lists:**
- Use for ordered steps or ranked items
- Same font and spacing as bullet lists

Never use unicode bullet characters directly — always use the docx `numbering` config with `LevelFormat.BULLET`.

---

## Emphasis & Highlighting

- **Bold:** for key decisions, important terms, labels in the title block
- No colored text (keep everything black/dark gray)
- No highlighting or background colors on text
- No ALL CAPS

---

## Tables (if used)

- Simple, clean — thin light gray borders (#CCCCCC)
- Header row: bold text, light gray background (#F2F2F2), `ShadingType.CLEAR`
- Body rows: white background, regular text
- Always use `WidthType.DXA`, never percentage widths
- Cell padding: top/bottom 80 DXA, left/right 120 DXA

---

## General Rules

- Keep it clean and minimal — this style mirrors Google Docs defaults
- No decorative elements, colored headers, or accent bars
- Generous whitespace between sections
- When in doubt, less is more
- The document should look identical (or near-identical) to what you'd produce natively in Google Docs

---

## Reminder for Google Docs Features

When handing off the document, mention to the user:
> "Since this was generated as a .docx, you'll want to open it in Google Docs to add @mentions, date pickers, comments, or checkboxes."