# Pprose Copy Edit

> Copy-edit a Markdown document for language and formatting (the Expression and Form dimensions); modifies the doc. A superset of pprose-common-edit and pprose-de-slop. Use when asked to copy edit, proofread, polish, tighten, rewrite, or line edit.

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

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> Run pprose as `pprose <command>` if on PATH, else `uvx pprose@0.4.0 <command>`
> (zero-install via uv).
> Run `pprose --help` for every command, `pprose skill` for the other Practical Prose
> skills, and `pprose list` for all on-demand playbooks, style guides, and procedures
> (`pprose shortcut`, `pprose guidelines`, `pprose runbook` each print one by name).

# Copy Edit

This is an apply skill: it may modify the target document.
It is a **superset of `pprose-common-edit` and `pprose-de-slop`**: it applies the common
documentation substrate, the AI-prose corrections, and the Expression and Form
dimensions (E1–E3 and F1–F3: clarity, coherence, concision, organization, consistency,
formatting) of the Practical Prose guidelines.
It stops short of the substantive dimensions; for a full all-dimension editorial pass
that also writes an editorial review, use `pprose-full-edit`.

## Inputs

- Path to one Markdown document.
- Optional edit brief, audience, and tolerance for heavier rewrites.

## Steps

1. Run `pprose shortcut shortcut-copy-edit` and follow it.
2. Apply the common substrate: `pprose guidelines common-doc-guidelines`.
3. Apply the Expression and Form dimensions (E1–E3, F1–F3) from
   `pprose guidelines practical-prose-guidelines` (§Expression Dimensions, §Form
   Dimensions).
4. If the target is a comprehensive practical guide (a reference work helping readers
   navigate a complex topic), also read `pprose guidelines writing-practical-guides` and
   apply its language-level genre guidance (voice, accessibility, intrigue), honoring
   each guideline’s applies-when caveat.
5. Audit the document, track issues (project issue/bead tooling when available, else the
   agent’s to-do/checklist), and apply edits directly.
6. Preserve factual meaning, claim strength, citations, and intentional voice.
   Do not edit the substantive dimensions (Purpose, Reasoning, Grounding, Judgment); if
   those need work, note it and recommend `pprose-full-edit`.
7. Re-scan the diff for regressions before reporting.

## Output

Report the changed file, the Expression issue classes fixed, and any substantive
(Purpose / Reasoning / Grounding / Judgment) issues you noticed but did not edit.