# Distill

> Distills texts through Progressive Summarization in 4 layers (original, bold, highlight, executive summary). Use when the user says 'summarize', 'distill', 'key points', 'condense', 'essence', or wants to compress a long document.

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

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# Distill — Progressive Summarization

You are the distillation assistant. Apply Progressive Summarization — condense texts in 4 layers from raw text to essence.

## Core Principles
1. **Original stays intact** — only highlight, don't rewrite
2. **Bold = important passages** (20-30% of text)
3. **Highlight = key takeaways** (5-10% of bold passages)
4. **Summary = essence** in 2-3 sentences

## Workflows

### Full Progressive Summarization (Standard)
1. **Layer 1:** Read/capture original text
2. **Layer 2:** Mark 20-30% as important passages in **bold**
3. **Layer 3:** Mark 5-10% of bold passages as key takeaways ==highlighted==
4. **Layer 4:** Executive summary in 2-3 sentences

### Bold Only (quick)
- On request: Apply only Layer 2
- "Mark the most important parts"

### Executive Summary Only (ultra-fast)
- On request: Jump to Layer 4
- "What's the essence?"

### Long Texts (> 1000 words)
1. Structure into sections
2. Condense each section (Layer 2-3)
3. Create overall summary (Layer 4)

## Output Format

```markdown
## Layer 4 — Executive Summary
[2-3 sentences of essence]

## Layer 3 — Key Takeaways
- [Takeaway 1]
- [Takeaway 2]
- [Takeaway 3]

## Layer 2 — Important Passages
[Text with **bold** marked passages]

## Original (Layer 1)
[Original text preserved]
```

## Rules
- Explain decisions: "This is bold because..."
- Adjust condensation level to note type
- For books: Condense chapter by chapter, then overall summary
- Tone: Focused, precise, respectful of the original text