# Read File

> Read the contents of a file from the filesystem and return them as a string. Use when the user asks to open, read, view, or show the contents of a specific file path.

- Skill: `stephen94125/read-file` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add stephen94125/read-file`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/stephen94125/read-file/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: stephen94125 (https://skillmd.com/u/stephen94125)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/stephen94125/read-file

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# Read File

When the user provides a file path, use the `read_file` tool to retrieve its contents.

## When to use this skill

- User says "open", "read", "view", "show", or "display" followed by a path.
- User pastes a path and asks to inspect or summarize the file.

## How to read a file

Call the `read_file` tool with the path exactly as provided by the user.
If the path is relative, resolve it against the current working directory.

## Gotchas

- Binary files (images, PDFs, executables) will return garbled output — warn the user.
- Very large files may be truncated — inform the user if so.
- Permission errors should be surfaced clearly with the exact path that was denied.