# Hebrew Rtl
> Apply RTL Hebrew rules when generating ANY document containing Hebrew text. Use alongside pptx-generator, minimax-docx, minimax-xlsx, minimax-pdf, or any HTML/web output. Fixes BiDi confusion, wrong punctuation, reversed parentheses, layout mirroring, and comma placement errors. Triggers: Hebrew, עברית, RTL, right-to-left, rtl document, Hebrew presentation, Hebrew Word doc, Hebrew Excel, Hebrew PDF, Hebrew slides, ישראל, עברי.
- Skill: `deedeeharris/hebrew-rtl` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add deedeeharris/hebrew-rtl`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/deedeeharris/hebrew-rtl/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Web & Frontend
- License: MIT
- Author: deedeeharris (https://skillmd.com/u/deedeeharris)
- Updated: 2026-09-22
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/deedeeharris/hebrew-rtl
---
# Hebrew RTL — Document Generation Rules
**ALWAYS use this skill alongside the relevant document skill (pptx-generator, minimax-docx, etc.).**
## The 8 Rules (All Formats)
**Rule 1 — Set RTL at document level**
Every format has a top-level RTL switch. Set it first, before any content.
**Rule 2 — RTL on EVERY text element**
Do NOT assume inheritance. Explicitly set `rtlMode`, `lang: "he-IL"`, `align: "right"` on each element individually.
**Rule 3 — Use a helper function**
Wrap all RTL settings in a reusable function. Never set them manually per element — you will miss some.
**Rule 4 — Rich text arrays — RTL per item**
When building arrays of text runs, each item needs its own RTL flag, not just the container.
**Rule 5 — Mirror layout elements**
Page numbers → LEFT side. Accent borders → LEFT side. Badges → LEFT side. Everything flips horizontally.
**Rule 6 — Hebrew punctuation**
- Use `׳` (U+05F3 geresh) not apostrophe `'`
- Use `״` (U+05F4 gershayim) not double-quote `"`
- Use `—` (U+2014 em-dash) not hyphen `-`
**Rule 7 — Natural comma placement**
- Correct: `לגעת, ללמוד וליצור`
- Wrong: `לגעת ,ללמוד`
Comma goes AFTER the word, not before the next one.
**Rule 8 — Test with real mixed content**
Always verify with: Hebrew + numbers + English words + punctuation together.
---
## Format-Specific Implementation
### PptxGenJS (pptx-generator skill)
```js
// Step 1: Document level
pres.rtlMode = true;
// Step 2: Helper function — use for EVERY addText call
function rtl(opts) {
return {
...opts,
fontFace: "Arial",
rtlMode: true,
lang: "he-IL"
};
}
// Step 3: All text elements via helper
slide.addText("טקסט בעברית", rtl({
x: 0, y: 0, w: 9, h: 1,
fontSize: 14,
align: "right"
}));
// Step 4: Page number badge → LEFT side (mirrored from default right)
slide.addShape(pres.shapes.OVAL, {
x: 0.3, y: 5.1, w: 0.4, h: 0.4, // LEFT not right (x: 9.3)
fill: { color: theme.accent }
});
```
### python-docx (minimax-docx skill)
```python
from docx.oxml.ns import nsdecls
from docx.oxml import parse_xml
from docx.enum.text import WD_ALIGN_PARAGRAPH
def set_rtl(paragraph):
"""Apply RTL to a paragraph — call on EVERY paragraph."""
pPr = paragraph._p.get_or_add_pPr()
bidi = parse_xml(f'')
pPr.append(bidi)
paragraph.alignment = WD_ALIGN_PARAGRAPH.RIGHT
# Usage — every paragraph
p = doc.add_paragraph()
set_rtl(p)
run = p.add_run("טקסט בעברית")
run.font.name = "David" # or "Arial", "Calibri"
```
### HTML/CSS
```html
```
### ReportLab / minimax-pdf
```python
from reportlab.lib.enums import TA_RIGHT
from reportlab.lib.styles import getSampleStyleSheet
styles = getSampleStyleSheet()
hebrew_style = styles['Normal'].clone('Hebrew')
hebrew_style.alignment = TA_RIGHT
hebrew_style.fontName = 'Helvetica' # or register a Hebrew font
# Use for every paragraph with Hebrew text
from reportlab.platypus import Paragraph
p = Paragraph("טקסט בעברית", hebrew_style)
```
---
## Punctuation Cheat Sheet
| Instead of | Use | Unicode | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| `'` apostrophe | `׳` geresh | U+05F3 | מ׳כ, פל׳ג |
| `"` double-quote | `״` gershayim | U+05F4 | צה״ל, רמ״ד |
| `-` hyphen | `—` em-dash | U+2014 | מ״כ א — לחום |
| `,` wrong side | `,` after word | — | לגעת, ללמוד |
---
## Common Failure Modes to Watch For
| Symptom | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Numbers appear on wrong side | BiDi not set at document level | Rule 1 |
| Parentheses reversed | No per-element RTL | Rule 2 |
| Page number on right | Layout not mirrored | Rule 5 |
| צה"ל looks broken | ASCII quotes instead of gershayim | Rule 6 |
| ` ,מילה` (space before comma) | Wrong comma placement | Rule 7 |
| English inside Hebrew flips | Wrap in `` in HTML, or use BiDi marks in other formats | Rule 8 |