PDF Lab

name: pdf-lab description: > Self-improving PDF extraction convergence loop. Diagnoses extraction failures by computing the delta between S00 estimates and actual extraction, reproduces issues on synthetic PDFs, discovers optimal parameters, and writes fixes back to the extractor pipeline code permanently. allowed-tools: [Bash, Read, Write, Edit, Glob, Grep] triggers:

• pdf lab
• tune pdf extraction
• improve pdf extraction
• converge extraction parameters
• fix extraction delta
• self improve extractor
• write back pipeline fix metadata: short-description: Self-improving PDF extraction with convergence + write-back version: "1.0.0"

provides: - pdf-lab composes: [, task-monitor]

pdf-lab

/pdf-lab is a convergence loop that diagnoses PDF extraction failures, reproduces them on synthetic PDFs, discovers optimal parameters, and writes those fixes back to the extractor pipeline code permanently.

Why This Exists

There is no absolute ground truth for real PDFs. The system works with deltas between S00's estimate and actual extraction results. When S00 predicts 40 sections but extraction finds 15, something is wrong. /pdf-lab figures out what, fixes it, and makes the fix permanent.

Quick Start

cd /home/graham/workspace/experiments/pi-mono/.pi/skills/pdf-lab

# Main: diagnose, reproduce, converge, and write fix back
./run.sh tune /path/to/real.pdf \
  --review-json /path/to/review_result.json \
  --debug-json /path/to/debug_patterns.json \
  --converge --write-back --json

# Dry run: find the fix but don't write it
./run.sh tune /path/to/real.pdf \
  --review-json ... --debug-json ... \
  --converge --dry-run --json

# Quick diagnosis only (compute delta, no tuning)
./run.sh diagnose /path/to/real.pdf \
  --profile-json /path/to/profile.json \
  --structural-json /path/to/structural.json

# Generate synthetic reproduction PDF only
./run.sh synthetic \
  --patterns '["multi_column","split_tables"]' \
  --output /tmp/repro.pdf

# Show recent tuning results
./run.sh status

# List all pdf-lab code changes
./run.sh history

# Rollback a specific fix
./run.sh rollback --sha abc123

How Fixes Get Written Back

The pipeline has a tiered configuration system. /pdf-lab writes to the appropriate tier:

Persona Attribution

Every code change is traceable to the persona who flagged the issue via git commit trailers (Reviewed-By, Persona-Role, Issue-Codes).

Integration

Called by inline_review_loop.py when a persona review score is below threshold. Falls back to heuristic adaptive params if convergence fails.

Memory + Taxonomy Integration

The skill integrates with the shared memory and taxonomy systems via memory_integration.py for cross-session learning:

• Pre-hook (recall_prior_convergence): Before tuning, recalls prior convergence results for the same PDF type or URL. Enables the tuner to skip failed strategies and start from previously winning parameters.
• Post-hook (learn_convergence): After tuning completes, stores the convergence outcome (strategy, iterations, final score, improvements, write-back results) to memory with taxonomy bridge tags for cross-skill recall.
• Bridge keywords: Precision, Resilience, Fragility, Corruption, Loyalty, Stealth (tuned to PDF extraction domain).
• Tags: ["pdf_lab", "convergence"] + bridges

Gracefully degrades if common.memory_client or taxonomy/taxonomy.py are unavailable.

File Structure

pdf-lab/
  SKILL.md                   # This file
  run.sh                     # Shell entry point
  pdf_lab.py                 # Typer CLI entry point
  memory_integration.py      # Memory + Taxonomy hooks
  pyproject.toml             # Dependencies
  lib/                       # Core libraries (delta, tuner, writer, etc.)
  data/                      # Local state and convergence events
  docs/                      # Additional documentation

Outputs

• Code changes written to src/extractor/pipeline/steps/
• /memory entries for future recall (synthetic creation, convergence, reverts)
• Git commits with persona attribution trailers
• JSON report of convergence results