How to use the DOCX Word Document Skill agent skill

What the docx skill makes the agent do

The skill covers Microsoft Word .docx files. It tells the agent to use the python-docx library by default for creating, reading and simple editing. For more specialised work it describes a lower-level method that edits the raw XML inside the file, which is needed for tracked changes (redlines), comments, and edits that must leave every untouched byte alone.

In practice the agent can extract and summarise text and tables, generate documents with headings, tables, images, a table of contents and page numbers, run find-and-replace, and apply tracked changes or comments.

• Read: extract body paragraphs, table contents, and header and footer text
• Create: reports, letters and memos with headings, tables, pictures and page breaks
• Edit: find-and-replace that keeps each run's formatting
• Review: tracked changes and comments for advanced cases

Install the docx skill from this page

Download the skill ZIP from this page and unzip it. The skill is a folder containing SKILL.md. Put that folder in one of these locations:

• Personal skills folder: ~/.claude/skills/ (available across your projects)
• Project folder: .claude/skills/ inside the project you are working in
• Claude apps: upload the ZIP under Settings → Capabilities → Skills

Make sure the requirements are met

The skill needs a sandbox where the agent can run Python code. The source says python-docx is preinstalled in that sandbox, so you do not install it yourself. The skill also says never to fetch or install authoring dependencies during a document task; if a declared dependency is missing, the agent should report an incomplete setup and stop.

LibreOffice (the soffice command) is optional. It is only needed for converting legacy .doc files to .docx and for PDF export. If it is absent, the agent is told to say so and either ask for a .docx or skip PDF export.

• Python with python-docx (described as preinstalled in the sandbox)
• A shell or exec sandbox that can run Python
• Optional: LibreOffice (soffice) for .doc conversion and PDF export

Trigger the skill with natural requests

You do not need a special command. Mention a Word file or ask for a Word deliverable and the agent should load the skill. Name the file, say what you want back, and say where the result should go if it matters.

• "Summarise the tables in contract_v2.docx and list them as text."
• "Draft a one-page memo from these notes, with headings and a table of the budget figures, and save it as memo.docx."
• "In template.docx, replace every {{CLIENT}} with Acme Co and save a new copy."
• "Add tracked changes to section 3 of draft.docx that shorten the second paragraph."

Review the output and the safety notes

The skill runs scripts. The agent writes Python code and executes it in your sandbox, so do not use it on sensitive documents in an environment where running agent-generated code is not acceptable. The skill does not describe any network access. The skill also asks the agent to write a new output file rather than overwrite the original, unless you explicitly ask for a replacement.

Open the result in Word and check it. The agent is told to reopen and validate the file it saves, but that does not check how it looks on the page.

• Runs scripts: yes. Uses network: no, according to the skill's description.
• The agent is told to write new output files instead of overwriting inputs.
• The skill does not cover PDF, .xlsx, .pptx or Google Docs files.

Tips for better results

Clear inputs and outputs get better documents. Give the agent the source notes or data, the audience, and the file name you want.

• For templates, list the exact placeholders, such as {{CLIENT}}, so the agent replaces the right text.
• Placeholders split across formatting runs in Word can be missed; the skill notes this and collapses formatting to the first run for plain placeholders.
• Table of contents and page numbers are fields. Word may ask you to right-click and choose Update Field before the table of contents fills in.
• For .doc files, convert to .docx first or confirm LibreOffice is installed.