How do I install the Markdown skill?

Run npx skillmds@latest add pavelsimo/markdown in your terminal (requires Node.js), paste this page's agent-chat prompt into Claude, Cursor, or any MCP-connected agent, or download the SKILL.md file and copy it into your agent's skills directory.

Is Markdown safe to use?

This skill has not completed SkillMD's automated safety review yet. SkillMD never runs a skill's scripts for you; review the SKILL.md before installing.

Which AI agents work with Markdown?

This skill is tagged as working with Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex. SKILL.md is an open format, so most agents that read a skills directory can load it too.

Is Markdown free to use?

Yes. Installing skills from SkillMD is free, and the skill stays under its author's original license.

Who published Markdown?

pavelsimo (@pavelsimo) published this skill. Their other Agent Skills are listed on their SkillMD profile.

Markdown by pavelsimo — Agent Skill

Name: Markdown
Author: pavelsimo

Markdown

Converts files to Markdown using uvx markitdown, supporting PDF, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, HTML, images with OCR, audio with transcription, ZIP archives, and YouTube URLs. Use when the user wants to convert a file or URL to Markdown.

pavelsimo 6e7a023 3 files · 5.2 KB Updated Sep 17, 2026

File contents

markdown skill

Convert files to Markdown using uvx markitdown — no installation required.

features

converts documents, web/data files, media files, archives, and URLs to Markdown
supports stdout, -o output files, and stdin conversion
accepts file extension, MIME type, and charset hints for ambiguous input
can enable or list markitdown plugins when needed

usage

# convert to stdout
uvx markitdown input.pdf

# save to file
uvx markitdown input.pdf -o output.md
uvx markitdown input.docx > output.md

# from stdin
cat input.pdf | uvx markitdown

supported formats

Documents: PDF, Word (.docx), PowerPoint (.pptx), Excel (.xlsx, .xls)
Web/Data: HTML, CSV, JSON, XML
Media: Images (EXIF + OCR), Audio (EXIF + transcription)
Other: ZIP (iterates contents), YouTube URLs, EPub

options

-o OUTPUT      # output file
-x EXTENSION   # hint file extension (for stdin)
-m MIME_TYPE   # hint MIME type
-c CHARSET     # hint charset (e.g., UTF-8)
--use-plugins  # enable 3rd-party plugins
--list-plugins # show installed plugins

examples

# convert Word document
uvx markitdown report.docx -o report.md

# convert Excel spreadsheet
uvx markitdown data.xlsx > data.md

# convert PowerPoint presentation
uvx markitdown slides.pptx -o slides.md

# convert with file type hint (for stdin)
cat document | uvx markitdown -x .pdf > output.md

workflow

identify the input file(s) or URL the user wants to convert
determine the best invocation (stdout vs -o flag vs stdin pipe) based on context
run uvx markitdown <input> — dependencies download on first run, then cache
if output looks malformed, suggest a MIME or extension hint via -x or -m
return the resulting Markdown to the user or confirm the saved file path

best practices

output preserves document structure: headings, tables, lists, links
first run caches dependencies; subsequent runs are faster
for stdin input, always pass -x or -m so markitdown knows the format

credits

Adapted from steipete/agent-scripts — markdown-converter by @steipete.

---name: markdowndescription: Converts files to Markdown using uvx markitdown, supporting PDF, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, HTML, images with OCR, audio with transcription, ZIP archives, and YouTube URLs. Use when the user wants to convert a file or URL to Markdown.---# markdown skillConvert files to Markdown using `uvx markitdown` — no installation required.## features- converts documents, web/data files, media files, archives, and URLs to Markdown- supports stdout, `-o` output files, and stdin conversion- accepts file extension, MIME type, and charset hints for ambiguous input- can enable or list markitdown plugins when needed## usage```bash# convert to stdoutuvx markitdown input.pdf# save to fileuvx markitdown input.pdf -o output.mduvx markitdown input.docx > output.md# from stdincat input.pdf | uvx markitdown```## supported formats- **Documents**: PDF, Word (.docx), PowerPoint (.pptx), Excel (.xlsx, .xls)- **Web/Data**: HTML, CSV, JSON, XML- **Media**: Images (EXIF + OCR), Audio (EXIF + transcription)- **Other**: ZIP (iterates contents), YouTube URLs, EPub## options```bash-o OUTPUT # output file-x EXTENSION # hint file extension (for stdin)-m MIME_TYPE # hint MIME type-c CHARSET # hint charset (e.g., UTF-8)--use-plugins # enable 3rd-party plugins--list-plugins # show installed plugins```## examples```bash# convert Word documentuvx markitdown report.docx -o report.md# convert Excel spreadsheetuvx markitdown data.xlsx > data.md# convert PowerPoint presentationuvx markitdown slides.pptx -o slides.md# convert with file type hint (for stdin)cat document | uvx markitdown -x .pdf > output.md```## workflow1. identify the input file(s) or URL the user wants to convert2. determine the best invocation (stdout vs `-o` flag vs stdin pipe) based on context3. run `uvx markitdown <input>` — dependencies download on first run, then cache4. if output looks malformed, suggest a MIME or extension hint via `-x` or `-m`5. return the resulting Markdown to the user or confirm the saved file path## best practices- output preserves document structure: headings, tables, lists, links- first run caches dependencies; subsequent runs are faster- for stdin input, always pass `-x` or `-m` so markitdown knows the format## creditsAdapted from [steipete/agent-scripts — markdown-converter](https://github.com/steipete/agent-scripts/blob/main/skills/markdown-converter/SKILL.md) by [@steipete](https://github.com/steipete).

Frequently asked questions