Guide · Agent skill
How to use the nano-pdf PDF Editor agent skill
Updated · written with AI from the project's own documentation and checked against our catalogue data
The nano-pdf skill lets an AI agent change the text of a PDF based on a plain-language instruction. It is for people who need quick wording fixes in an existing file, such as a typo in a slide deck export or an outdated title in a report. This guide explains what the skill does, how to install it, how to ask for edits, and what to check before you share the result.
nano-pdf PDF Editorspinabot/brigade · MIT Download the skill Quick start
- 1Download the skill. Download the nano-pdf skill ZIP from this page.
- 2Unzip into your skills folder. Unzip it into ~/.claude/skills/ for personal use, or into a project's .claude/skills/ folder for one project.
- 3Or upload it in the Claude apps. In the Claude apps, open Settings, go to Capabilities, then Skills, and upload the skill.
- 4Install the nano-pdf tool. Install the nano-pdf command-line tool. The skill lists it as installable via uv from PyPI.
- 5Ask for an edit. Describe the file, the page number, and the change in plain language.
- 6Check the result. Open the output PDF and confirm the edit is on the right page before sharing it.
What the nano-pdf skill makes the agent do
An agent skill is a folder of instructions that teaches an AI agent how to perform a specific task. This skill teaches the agent to use the nano-pdf command-line tool to edit a PDF.
You name the file, the page, and the change you want in everyday language. The agent then runs nano-pdf to apply that edit to the specified page.
- Works on one page at a time, using a natural-language instruction.
- Good for fixing typos and changing titles or subtitles.
- The skill's description focuses on changing text; it does not describe image or detailed formatting changes.
Install the nano-pdf skill in Claude
Option one: download the skill ZIP from this page and unzip it into ~/.claude/skills/ so it is available to you across projects.
Option two: unzip it into a project's .claude/skills/ folder if you want the skill only for that project.
Option three: in the Claude apps, go to Settings, then Capabilities, then Skills, and upload the skill there.
The skill depends on the nano-pdf command-line tool. The skill's install metadata lists nano-pdf as installable via uv from PyPI, so you will need the uv package manager for that suggested method. Make sure the nano-pdf command is available before you ask the agent to edit anything.
Run an edit with a natural-language request
Once the skill and the tool are in place, describe the edit in a single request that includes the file, the page number, and the change. The skill's quick-start example shows the kind of instruction the agent turns into a nano-pdf command.
Keep each request specific. Naming the exact text to change and the new wording reduces the chance of the agent editing the wrong thing.
- Example request: edit deck.pdf on page 1 to change the title to 'Q3 Results' and fix the typo in the subtitle.
- Mention the file name exactly as it appears in your folder.
- Ask for one page per request where possible.
nano-pdf edit deck.pdf 1 "Change the title to 'Q3 Results' and fix the typo in the subtitle"Handle page numbering that looks off by one
Page numbers can be 0-based or 1-based depending on the tool's version or configuration. The skill tells the agent to retry with the other numbering if the result looks wrong.
If your edit landed on the wrong page, do not keep retrying blindly. Check which page the agent targeted, then ask it to use the other numbering scheme and review the output again.
- If page 1 is the cover, check whether the edit went to the cover or to the second page.
- Confirm the result before moving on to the next edit.
Check the output and handle safety
The skill says to always sanity-check the output PDF before sending it out. The agent may misread a page number or misinterpret an edit, so review the changed page yourself.
The skill runs scripts, because it calls the nano-pdf command-line tool. It does not use the network, according to the skill's listing. Still, treat sensitive or confidential documents with extra care and review them before any sharing.
- Open the edited PDF and check the changed page and the rest of the document.
- Keep an untouched copy of the original file.
- Do not send confidential documents without a manual review.
Tips for better results
Ask for small, clearly described changes rather than a long list of unrelated edits. This makes errors easier to spot.
The skill is best for quick wording fixes in existing PDFs. For complex layout or design changes, a dedicated PDF editor is a better fit, since this skill does not cover those.
- Quote the exact old and new wording when fixing text.
- Name the page explicitly every time.
- Review each edit before starting the next one.
What people use it for
- Fixing a typo in the subtitle of a slide deck exported to PDF.
- Changing the title on the first page of a report before recirculating it.
- Updating a single line of wording in a PDF without opening a full editor.
- Making quick text corrections across several pages, one page per request.
Frequently asked questions
Is the nano-pdf skill free?
The skill is listed under the MIT licence. The nano-pdf tool is installed from PyPI, so check its own package page for its licence terms before you rely on it commercially.
What do I need to use the nano-pdf skill?
You need the nano-pdf command-line tool, and the skill's suggested install method uses the uv package manager from PyPI. You also need an agent environment that can load skills, such as Claude with the skill installed.
Where do I install an agent skill like nano-pdf?
Unzip the skill into ~/.claude/skills/ for personal use or into a project's .claude/skills/ folder. In the Claude apps, you can also upload it under Settings, then Capabilities, then Skills.
Why did the edit go to the wrong page?
Page numbers can be 0-based or 1-based depending on the tool's version or configuration. Retry the request with the other numbering, and check the output before sharing.
Does nano-pdf use the internet?
According to the skill's listing, it does not use the network. It does run scripts, so review the output as you would for any tool that changes files.
Can nano-pdf change images or complex layouts?
The skill describes single-page natural-language text edits. It does not cover images or detailed formatting, so use a dedicated PDF editor for layout or design work.
New agent skills, repos and AI tools — every week
The best new skills and open-source projects, the fastest-growing repos, and one free prompt. Five minutes to read. Unsubscribe anytime.
Our verdict
Use the nano-pdf skill if you need quick wording fixes in an existing PDF and are comfortable installing a command-line tool. Pick a conventional PDF editor if you need layout, image or design changes, or if you cannot install nano-pdf. Always review the output before sharing, especially for confidential documents.
Download the skill