Guide · Agent skill
How to use the Word document creator agent skill (docx)
Updated · written with AI from the project's own documentation and checked against our catalogue data
The docx skill teaches an AI agent to create and edit Microsoft Word (.docx) files, including reports, proposals, contracts, letters and memos. This guide explains what the skill does, how to install it, how to ask for Word documents in plain language, and what to check before you rely on the output. No prior experience with agent skills is needed.
Word document creatorspinabot/brigade · MIT Download the skill Quick start
- 1Download the ZIP. Get the docx skill ZIP from the skill's page in this directory.
- 2Unzip into a skills folder. Extract it into ~/.claude/skills/ for all projects, or into a project's .claude/skills/ folder for one project.
- 3Or upload in the Claude apps. In the Claude apps, go to Settings → Capabilities → Skills and upload the skill.
- 4Make a request. Ask Brigade in plain language to draft, fill, redline or edit a Word or .docx file, and include your notes or template.
- 5Review the output. Open the .docx file in Word and check the text, figures, placeholders and layout.
What the docx skill lets the agent do
Once the skill is installed, the agent can produce Word documents with custom styles, multi-level and numbered lists, styled or merged tables, headers and footers, a table of contents, hyperlinks, footnotes, tracked changes and comments.
The skill chooses the lightest method that meets the request. For simple structured documents it uses a basic built-in tool. For richer layouts it writes and runs a small JavaScript script that uses the bundled docx library. For editing an existing branded Word file, it unzips the file, changes the underlying XML and rezips it so the original styling is kept.
- Path 1: a quick structured document (headings, paragraphs, bullets, a basic table, an image)
- Path 2: a richer document built with a script using the docx library
- Path 3: filling or redlining an existing .docx without disturbing its styling
- Path 4: Markdown to Word, only if pandoc is installed on the system
Install the docx skill
The skill is distributed as a ZIP file from the skill's page in this directory. Download the ZIP and unzip it into one of two locations. Use ~/.claude/skills/ to make the skill available across your projects, or a project's .claude/skills/ folder to limit it to that project.
You can also upload the skill in the Claude apps under Settings → Capabilities → Skills.
- Personal install: unzip into ~/.claude/skills/
- Project install: unzip into the project's .claude/skills/ folder
- Claude apps: Settings → Capabilities → Skills, then upload the skill
What the skill needs to run
The skill relies on the Brigade runtime with its bundled docx and fflate JavaScript libraries. The source does not describe a separate library install for these. The optional pandoc tool is only needed for the Markdown-to-Word path.
The skill is packaged as a single file, SKILL.md. It runs scripts, but it does not use the network.
- Required: Brigade runtime with bundled docx and fflate libraries
- Optional: pandoc installed on the system, for Markdown to Word conversion
- Optional: LibreOffice (soffice), used to render the file to PDF for a visual check if it is available
How to trigger the skill with natural requests
You do not need special syntax. The skill is meant to be used when you ask Brigade to make, write, draft, fill, redline or edit a Word document or .docx file. Be specific about the document type, the audience and the content you want included.
Give the agent your notes or instructions, and say what the output should look like. If you have an existing template, say so and point the agent at it.
- Draft a three-page proposal for a website redesign using the notes in notes.txt, with a table of costs and a table of contents.
- Fill the placeholders {{client}} and {{date}} in contract-template.docx.
- Redline the termination clause in agreement.docx as tracked changes with comments explaining each change.
- Write a memo to the team about the new expense policy in Word format, with numbered sections and a header that says Internal.
- Edit my existing branded report.docx to update the Q3 figures without changing its styles.
Examples of what you can ask for
The skill covers common business documents. Its strongest use is turning notes into a first draft, or applying changes to a file that already has a company look.
Because a person must review the result, plan for a check of the content and layout before the document is shared.
- Reports with headings, a table of contents and footnotes for sources
- Proposals with styled tables, numbered lists and a branded header and footer
- Contracts or letters with tracked changes so a reviewer can accept or reject edits
- Memos with a page-numbered footer and hyperlinks to reference material
Check the result before you use it
The skill says a document should never be declared done without opening or validating it at least once. If LibreOffice is available, the agent renders the file to PDF and looks at it to catch overflow and leftover placeholders.
Ask the agent to confirm the file exists and is not empty, then open it yourself in Word to read the wording and layout.
- Confirm the file opens in Word or LibreOffice
- Read every placeholder replacement and figure
- For contracts, have a qualified person review the wording
- Check tracked changes with Accept All and Reject All before sending
What people use it for
- Turn meeting notes into a formatted memo with numbered sections
- Fill placeholder fields in a company contract template
- Redline a supplier agreement with tracked changes and comments
- Produce a proposal with styled tables and a table of contents
Frequently asked questions
Is the docx skill free?
The source does not state a price. It is listed under the MIT licence, which the directory page shows. Check the licence text in the download for the full terms.
What do I need to install the docx skill?
You need the Brigade runtime, which bundles the docx and fflate JavaScript libraries. The source does not describe a separate install for these. Pandoc is optional and only needed for Markdown to Word conversion.
Where do I put the docx skill folder?
Unzip the download into ~/.claude/skills/ for personal use, or into a project's .claude/skills/ folder. You can also upload it in the Claude apps under Settings → Capabilities → Skills.
Can the docx skill edit an existing Word file?
Yes. For filling placeholders or text swaps it uses the edit_document tool. For larger edits it unzips the file, changes the XML and rezips it, which keeps the original styles, headers and theme.
Does the docx skill work with PDF or Google Docs files?
No. The source says this skill does not cover files that are not .docx format, such as PDF or Google Docs files.
Is it safe to let the skill run scripts?
The skill runs generated scripts to build files, so only use it where executing generated code is allowed. It does not use the network, according to the source. Do not use it where the agent must not run scripts.
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Our verdict
The docx skill suits professionals who need a polished Word draft quickly, people filling placeholders in an existing Word template, and anyone who wants tracked-change edits to a document. It is not suited to anyone who needs a guaranteed-perfect legal or financial document without human review, to environments that forbid running generated scripts, or to PDF and Google Docs editing.
Download the skill