# Md To PDF

> Convert markdown to PDF using Chrome. Triggers on 'markdown to pdf', 'render to pdf', 'pdf from markdown', 'print this markdown'.

- Skill: `steveclarke/md-to-pdf` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 5 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add steveclarke/md-to-pdf`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/steveclarke/md-to-pdf/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Docs & Writing
- Author: steveclarke (https://skillmd.com/u/steveclarke)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/steveclarke/md-to-pdf

---


# Markdown to PDF

Converts markdown files to beautifully formatted PDFs using crossnote (same engine as mcp-printer).

## Features

- **Mermaid diagrams** — Flowcharts, sequence diagrams, etc.
- **Math equations** — KaTeX rendering
- **Syntax highlighting** — GitHub theme
- **Page numbers** — Automatic footer with page X / Y
- **GitHub-light theme** — Clean, print-optimized styling

## Usage

```bash
~/.claude/skills/md-to-pdf/scripts/md-to-pdf.cjs input.md              # Creates input.pdf
~/.claude/skills/md-to-pdf/scripts/md-to-pdf.cjs input.md output.pdf   # Custom output name
```

## Options

| Flag | Description |
|------|-------------|
| `-o FILE` | Specify output filename |

## Requirements

- **Chrome or Chromium** — Auto-detected on macOS/Linux
- **Node.js** — For running the script
- **Dependencies** — Run `npm install` in the skill directory once

## How It Works

1. Uses **crossnote** (Markdown Preview Enhanced engine)
2. Injects page numbering config into front-matter
3. Renders via Chrome/Puppeteer
4. Supports Mermaid, math, code highlighting out of the box

## Examples

```bash
# Quick conversion
~/.claude/skills/md-to-pdf/scripts/md-to-pdf.cjs README.md

# Spec document for sharing
~/.claude/skills/md-to-pdf/scripts/md-to-pdf.cjs spec.md spec-v2.pdf

# Multiple files
for f in docs/*.md; do ~/.claude/skills/md-to-pdf/scripts/md-to-pdf.cjs "$f"; done
```

## Mermaid Example

Include in your markdown:

~~~markdown
```mermaid
graph TD
    A[Start] --> B{Decision}
    B -->|Yes| C[Do something]
    B -->|No| D[Do something else]
```
~~~

The diagram will render as a graphic in the PDF.

## Printing

If the user wants to print the PDF, use the `/print` skill after generating.

**Workflow decision:**

| User intent | Action |
|-------------|--------|
| "Convert to PDF" | Keep the PDF |
| "Print this markdown" | Generate PDF → print with `/print` → delete PDF |
| "Create a PDF and print it" | Keep the PDF, also print |

When printing is the goal (not the PDF itself), delete the PDF after printing:

```bash
# Generate, print, cleanup
~/.claude/skills/md-to-pdf/scripts/md-to-pdf.cjs doc.md
~/.claude/skills/print/scripts/print doc.pdf
rm doc.pdf
```

The `/print` skill handles double-sided and b&w defaults automatically.

## Alias (Optional)

Add to your shell profile:
```bash
alias md-to-pdf='~/.claude/skills/md-to-pdf/scripts/md-to-pdf.cjs'
```