docs/reference/agent skill

Reference

Agent skill

cv carries a skill file that teaches an agent every command, the edit rules and what each error means. Give it to your agent once.

Print it

cv --skill prints the skill, then its reference files on formats, errors and options, as one Markdown file.

The skill comes with cv, so it matches the commands of the cv you run. Print it again after you update cv.

Terminal
$ export CV_API_KEY=cv_sk_…

Set your key once. Every cv command reads it.

Terminal
$ cv --skill
stdout---9 lines
---name: cvdescription: Read any file as another format, or a large document part by part, render your own Markdown or HTML into documents people open, change cells of a spreadsheet, …--- # cv `cv` converts files through convert.dev, a hosted service. Six commands.…

Give it to an agent

Save it where your agent loads skills. It starts with the name and description that agents read to decide when to use it. For Claude Code, save it as a personal skill.

An agent without skills can run cv --skill itself when its instructions say to. It also needs cv on its path and CV_API_KEY in its environment.

Terminal
$ mkdir -p ~/.claude/skills/cvcv --skill > ~/.claude/skills/cv/SKILL.md

What it covers

  • The six commands, with examples.
  • Reading a file, and a large one part by part.
  • The five steps of an edit, and the rules for spreadsheets, Word documents, decks and PDF forms.
  • Comparing two versions, and drawing the refs on pages.
  • --json, the exit codes, and what to do for each error code.
  • What leaves the machine, how long files are kept, and when to use --content-boundaries.

Updated 3 November 2026