minimax-pdf
Three tasks. One skill.
Read design/design.md before any CREATE or REFORMAT work.
Route table
| User intent |
Route |
Scripts used |
| Generate a new PDF from scratch |
CREATE |
palette.py → cover.py → render_cover.js → render_body.py → merge.py |
| Fill / complete form fields in an existing PDF |
FILL |
fill_inspect.py → fill_write.py |
| Reformat / re-style an existing document |
REFORMAT |
reformat_parse.py → then full CREATE pipeline |
Rule: when in doubt between CREATE and REFORMAT, ask whether the user has an existing document to start from. If yes → REFORMAT. If no → CREATE.
Route A: CREATE
Full pipeline — content → design tokens → cover → body → merged PDF.
bash scripts/make.sh run \
--title "Q3 Strategy Review" --type proposal \
--author "Strategy Team" --date "October 2025" \
--accent "#2D5F8A" \
--content content.json --out report.pdf
Doc types: report · proposal · resume · portfolio · academic · general · minimal · stripe · diagonal · frame · editorial · magazine · darkroom · terminal · poster
| Type |
Cover pattern |
Visual identity |
report |
fullbleed |
Dark bg, dot grid, Playfair Display |
proposal |
split |
Left panel + right geometric, Syne |
resume |
typographic |
Oversized first-word, DM Serif Display |
portfolio |
atmospheric |
Near-black, radial glow, Fraunces |
academic |
typographic |
Light bg, classical serif, EB Garamond |
general |
fullbleed |
Dark slate, Outfit |
minimal |
minimal |
White + single 8px accent bar, Cormorant Garamond |
stripe |
stripe |
3 bold horizontal color bands, Barlow Condensed |
diagonal |
diagonal |
SVG angled cut, dark/light halves, Montserrat |
frame |
frame |
Inset border, corner ornaments, Cormorant |
editorial |
editorial |
Ghost letter, all-caps title, Bebas Neue |
magazine |
magazine |
Warm cream bg, centered stack, hero image, Playfair Display |
darkroom |
darkroom |
Navy bg, centered stack, grayscale image, Playfair Display |
terminal |
terminal |
Near-black, grid lines, monospace, neon green |
poster |
poster |
White bg, thick sidebar, oversized title, Barlow Condensed |
Cover extras (inject into tokens via --abstract, --cover-image):
--abstract "text" — abstract text block on the cover (magazine/darkroom)
--cover-image "url" — hero image URL/path (magazine, darkroom, poster)
Color overrides — always choose these based on document content:
--accent "#HEX" — override the accent color; accent_lt is auto-derived by lightening toward white
--cover-bg "#HEX" — override the cover background color
Accent color selection guidance:
You have creative authority over the accent color. Pick it from the document's semantic context — title, industry, purpose, audience — not from generic "safe" choices. The accent appears on section rules, callout bars, table headers, and the cover: it carries the document's visual identity.
| Context |
Suggested accent range |
| Legal / compliance / finance |
Deep navy #1C3A5E, charcoal #2E3440, slate #3D4C5E |
| Healthcare / medical |
Teal-green #2A6B5A, cool green #3A7D6A |
| Technology / engineering |
Steel blue #2D5F8A, indigo #3D4F8A |
| Environmental / sustainability |
Forest #2E5E3A, olive #4A5E2A |
| Creative / arts / culture |
Burgundy #6B2A35, plum #5A2A6B, terracotta #8A3A2A |
| Academic / research |
Deep teal #2A5A6B, library blue #2A4A6B |
| Corporate / neutral |
Slate #3D4A5A, graphite #444C56 |
| Luxury / premium |
Warm black #1A1208, deep bronze #4A3820 |
Rule: choose a color that a thoughtful designer would select for this specific document — not the type's default. Muted, desaturated tones work best; avoid vivid primaries. When in doubt, go darker and more neutral.
content.json block types:
| Block |
Usage |
Key fields |
h1 |
Section heading + accent rule |
text |
h2 |
Subsection heading |
text |
h3 |
Sub-subsection (bold) |
text |
body |
Justified paragraph; supports <b> <i> markup |
text |
bullet |
Unordered list item (• prefix) |
text |
numbered |
Ordered list item — counter auto-resets on non-numbered blocks |
text |
callout |
Highlighted insight box with accent left bar |
text |
table |
Data table — accent header, alternating row tints |
headers, rows, col_widths?, caption? |
image |
Embedded image scaled to column width |
path/src, caption? |
figure |
Image with auto-numbered "Figure N:" caption |
path/src, caption? |
code |
Monospace code block with accent left border |
text, language? |
math |
Display math — LaTeX syntax via matplotlib mathtext |
text, label?, caption? |
chart |
Bar / line / pie chart rendered with matplotlib |
chart_type, labels, datasets, title?, x_label?, y_label?, caption?, figure? |
flowchart |
Process diagram with nodes + edges via matplotlib |
nodes, edges, caption?, figure? |
bibliography |
Numbered reference list with hanging indent |
items [{id, text}], title? |
divider |
Accent-colored full-width rule |
— |
caption |
Small muted label |
text |
pagebreak |
Force a new page |
— |
spacer |
Vertical whitespace |
pt (default 12) |
chart / flowchart schemas:
{"type":"chart","chart_type":"bar","labels":["Q1","Q2","Q3","Q4"],
"datasets":[{"label":"Revenue","values":[120,145,132,178]}],"caption":"Q results"}
{"type":"flowchart",
"nodes":[{"id":"s","label":"Start","shape":"oval"},
{"id":"p","label":"Process","shape":"rect"},
{"id":"d","label":"Valid?","shape":"diamond"},
{"id":"e","label":"End","shape":"oval"}],
"edges":[{"from":"s","to":"p"},{"from":"p","to":"d"},
{"from":"d","to":"e","label":"Yes"},{"from":"d","to":"p","label":"No"}]}
{"type":"bibliography","items":[
{"id":"1","text":"Author (Year). Title. Publisher."}]}
Route B: FILL
Fill form fields in an existing PDF without altering layout or design.
# Step 1: inspect
python3 scripts/fill_inspect.py --input form.pdf
# Step 2: fill
python3 scripts/fill_write.py --input form.pdf --out filled.pdf \
--values '{"FirstName": "Jane", "Agree": "true", "Country": "US"}'
| Field type |
Value format |
text |
Any string |
checkbox |
"true" or "false" |
dropdown |
Must match a choice value from inspect output |
radio |
Must match a radio value (often starts with /) |
Always run fill_inspect.py first to get exact field names.
Route C: REFORMAT
Parse an existing document → content.json → CREATE pipeline.
bash scripts/make.sh reformat \
--input source.md --title "My Report" --type report --out output.pdf
Supported input formats: .md .txt .pdf .json
Environment
bash scripts/make.sh check # verify all deps
bash scripts/make.sh fix # auto-install missing deps
bash scripts/make.sh demo # build a sample PDF
| Tool |
Used by |
Install |
| Python 3.9+ |
all .py scripts |
system |
reportlab |
render_body.py |
pip install reportlab |
pypdf |
fill, merge, reformat |
pip install pypdf |
| Node.js 18+ |
render_cover.js |
system |
playwright + Chromium |
render_cover.js |
npm install -g playwright && npx playwright install chromium |
Source: MiniMax-AI/skills → skills/minimax-pdf/SKILL.md
1---2name: minimax-pdf3description: > Use this skill when visual quality and design identity matter for a PDF. CREATE (generate from scratch): "make a PDF", "generate a report", "write a proposal", "create a resume", "beautiful PDF", "professional document", "cover page", "polished PDF", "client-ready document". FILL (complete form fields): "fill in the form", "fill out this PDF", "complete the form fields", "write values into PDF", "what fields does this PDF have". REFORMAT (apply design to an existing doc): "reformat this document", "apply our style", "convert this Markdown/text to PDF", "make this doc look good", "re-style this PDF". This skill uses a token-based design system: color, typography, and spacing are derived from the document type and flow through every page. The output is print-ready. Prefer this skill when appearance matters, not just when any PDF output is needed.4---5
6
7# minimax-pdf
8
9Three tasks. One skill.
10
11## Read `design/design.md` before any CREATE or REFORMAT work.
12
13---
14
15## Route table
16
17| User intent | Route | Scripts used |
18|---|---|---|
19| Generate a new PDF from scratch | **CREATE** | `palette.py` → `cover.py` → `render_cover.js` → `render_body.py` → `merge.py` |
20| Fill / complete form fields in an existing PDF | **FILL** | `fill_inspect.py` → `fill_write.py` |
21| Reformat / re-style an existing document | **REFORMAT** | `reformat_parse.py` → then full CREATE pipeline |
22
23**Rule:** when in doubt between CREATE and REFORMAT, ask whether the user has an existing document to start from. If yes → REFORMAT. If no → CREATE.
24
25---
26
27## Route A: CREATE
28
29Full pipeline — content → design tokens → cover → body → merged PDF.
30
31```bash
32bash scripts/make.sh run \
33 --title "Q3 Strategy Review" --type proposal \
34 --author "Strategy Team" --date "October 2025" \
35 --accent "#2D5F8A" \
36 --content content.json --out report.pdf
37```
38
39**Doc types:** `report` · `proposal` · `resume` · `portfolio` · `academic` · `general` · `minimal` · `stripe` · `diagonal` · `frame` · `editorial` · `magazine` · `darkroom` · `terminal` · `poster`
40
41| Type | Cover pattern | Visual identity |
42|---|---|---|
43| `report` | `fullbleed` | Dark bg, dot grid, Playfair Display |
44| `proposal` | `split` | Left panel + right geometric, Syne |
45| `resume` | `typographic` | Oversized first-word, DM Serif Display |
46| `portfolio` | `atmospheric` | Near-black, radial glow, Fraunces |
47| `academic` | `typographic` | Light bg, classical serif, EB Garamond |
48| `general` | `fullbleed` | Dark slate, Outfit |
49| `minimal` | `minimal` | White + single 8px accent bar, Cormorant Garamond |
50| `stripe` | `stripe` | 3 bold horizontal color bands, Barlow Condensed |
51| `diagonal` | `diagonal` | SVG angled cut, dark/light halves, Montserrat |
52| `frame` | `frame` | Inset border, corner ornaments, Cormorant |
53| `editorial` | `editorial` | Ghost letter, all-caps title, Bebas Neue |
54| `magazine` | `magazine` | Warm cream bg, centered stack, hero image, Playfair Display |
55| `darkroom` | `darkroom` | Navy bg, centered stack, grayscale image, Playfair Display |
56| `terminal` | `terminal` | Near-black, grid lines, monospace, neon green |
57| `poster` | `poster` | White bg, thick sidebar, oversized title, Barlow Condensed |
58
59Cover extras (inject into tokens via `--abstract`, `--cover-image`):
60- `--abstract "text"` — abstract text block on the cover (magazine/darkroom)
61- `--cover-image "url"` — hero image URL/path (magazine, darkroom, poster)
62
63**Color overrides — always choose these based on document content:**
64- `--accent "#HEX"` — override the accent color; `accent_lt` is auto-derived by lightening toward white
65- `--cover-bg "#HEX"` — override the cover background color
66
67**Accent color selection guidance:**
68
69You have creative authority over the accent color. Pick it from the document's semantic context — title, industry, purpose, audience — not from generic "safe" choices. The accent appears on section rules, callout bars, table headers, and the cover: it carries the document's visual identity.
70
71| Context | Suggested accent range |
72|---|---|
73| Legal / compliance / finance | Deep navy `#1C3A5E`, charcoal `#2E3440`, slate `#3D4C5E` |
74| Healthcare / medical | Teal-green `#2A6B5A`, cool green `#3A7D6A` |
75| Technology / engineering | Steel blue `#2D5F8A`, indigo `#3D4F8A` |
76| Environmental / sustainability | Forest `#2E5E3A`, olive `#4A5E2A` |
77| Creative / arts / culture | Burgundy `#6B2A35`, plum `#5A2A6B`, terracotta `#8A3A2A` |
78| Academic / research | Deep teal `#2A5A6B`, library blue `#2A4A6B` |
79| Corporate / neutral | Slate `#3D4A5A`, graphite `#444C56` |
80| Luxury / premium | Warm black `#1A1208`, deep bronze `#4A3820` |
81
82**Rule:** choose a color that a thoughtful designer would select for this specific document — not the type's default. Muted, desaturated tones work best; avoid vivid primaries. When in doubt, go darker and more neutral.
83
84**content.json block types:**
85
86| Block | Usage | Key fields |
87|---|---|---|
88| `h1` | Section heading + accent rule | `text` |
89| `h2` | Subsection heading | `text` |
90| `h3` | Sub-subsection (bold) | `text` |
91| `body` | Justified paragraph; supports `<b>` `<i>` markup | `text` |
92| `bullet` | Unordered list item (• prefix) | `text` |
93| `numbered` | Ordered list item — counter auto-resets on non-numbered blocks | `text` |
94| `callout` | Highlighted insight box with accent left bar | `text` |
95| `table` | Data table — accent header, alternating row tints | `headers`, `rows`, `col_widths`?, `caption`? |
96| `image` | Embedded image scaled to column width | `path`/`src`, `caption`? |
97| `figure` | Image with auto-numbered "Figure N:" caption | `path`/`src`, `caption`? |
98| `code` | Monospace code block with accent left border | `text`, `language`? |
99| `math` | Display math — LaTeX syntax via matplotlib mathtext | `text`, `label`?, `caption`? |
100| `chart` | Bar / line / pie chart rendered with matplotlib | `chart_type`, `labels`, `datasets`, `title`?, `x_label`?, `y_label`?, `caption`?, `figure`? |
101| `flowchart` | Process diagram with nodes + edges via matplotlib | `nodes`, `edges`, `caption`?, `figure`? |
102| `bibliography` | Numbered reference list with hanging indent | `items` [{id, text}], `title`? |
103| `divider` | Accent-colored full-width rule | — |
104| `caption` | Small muted label | `text` |
105| `pagebreak` | Force a new page | — |
106| `spacer` | Vertical whitespace | `pt` (default 12) |
107
108**chart / flowchart schemas:**
109```json
110{"type":"chart","chart_type":"bar","labels":["Q1","Q2","Q3","Q4"],
111 "datasets":[{"label":"Revenue","values":[120,145,132,178]}],"caption":"Q results"}
112
113{"type":"flowchart",
114 "nodes":[{"id":"s","label":"Start","shape":"oval"},
115 {"id":"p","label":"Process","shape":"rect"},
116 {"id":"d","label":"Valid?","shape":"diamond"},
117 {"id":"e","label":"End","shape":"oval"}],
118 "edges":[{"from":"s","to":"p"},{"from":"p","to":"d"},
119 {"from":"d","to":"e","label":"Yes"},{"from":"d","to":"p","label":"No"}]}
120
121{"type":"bibliography","items":[
122 {"id":"1","text":"Author (Year). Title. Publisher."}]}
123```
124
125---
126
127## Route B: FILL
128
129Fill form fields in an existing PDF without altering layout or design.
130
131```bash
132# Step 1: inspect
133python3 scripts/fill_inspect.py --input form.pdf
134
135# Step 2: fill
136python3 scripts/fill_write.py --input form.pdf --out filled.pdf \
137 --values '{"FirstName": "Jane", "Agree": "true", "Country": "US"}'
138```
139
140| Field type | Value format |
141|---|---|
142| `text` | Any string |
143| `checkbox` | `"true"` or `"false"` |
144| `dropdown` | Must match a choice value from inspect output |
145| `radio` | Must match a radio value (often starts with `/`) |
146
147Always run `fill_inspect.py` first to get exact field names.
148
149---
150
151## Route C: REFORMAT
152
153Parse an existing document → content.json → CREATE pipeline.
154
155```bash
156bash scripts/make.sh reformat \
157 --input source.md --title "My Report" --type report --out output.pdf
158```
159
160**Supported input formats:** `.md` `.txt` `.pdf` `.json`
161
162---
163
164## Environment
165
166```bash
167bash scripts/make.sh check # verify all deps
168bash scripts/make.sh fix # auto-install missing deps
169bash scripts/make.sh demo # build a sample PDF
170```
171
172| Tool | Used by | Install |
173|---|---|---|
174| Python 3.9+ | all `.py` scripts | system |
175| `reportlab` | `render_body.py` | `pip install reportlab` |
176| `pypdf` | fill, merge, reformat | `pip install pypdf` |
177| Node.js 18+ | `render_cover.js` | system |
178| `playwright` + Chromium | `render_cover.js` | `npm install -g playwright && npx playwright install chromium` |
179
180---
181
182**Source:** [`MiniMax-AI/skills`](https://github.com/MiniMax-AI/skills) → `skills/minimax-pdf/SKILL.md`