Skip to content
alyn
JimLiu

Baoyu Format Markdown skill

Formats plain text or markdown files with frontmatter, titles, summaries, headings, bold, lists, and code blocks. Use when user asks to "format markdown", "beautify article", "add formatting", or improve article layout. Outputs to {filename}-formatted.md.

$npx skills add JimLiu/baoyu-skills --skill baoyu-format-markdown
GitHub stars
27,453
Pack installs
614k
Alyn Score
82/99
Updated
4 days ago
License
MIT

Install Baoyu Format Markdown

Pick your agent. Every command is ready to paste.

$npx skills add JimLiu/baoyu-skills --skill baoyu-format-markdown

The open skills CLI detects your agents (Claude Code, Cursor, Codex and 70+ more) and installs to the right folder. Add -g to install globally.

01

Install it

Run the command above, or upload the folder in Claude.

02

Ask naturally

Describe the task. Your agent loads baoyu-format-markdown when the request matches its description.

03

Name it if needed

If it does not trigger, say “use the baoyu-format-markdown skill”. In Codex, type $baoyu-format-markdown.

The skill itself

SKILL.md

GitHub

Markdown Formatter

Make plain text or markdown scannable so readers grasp key points and structure fast.

Core principle: Only adjust formatting and fix obvious typos. Never add, delete, or rewrite content.

User Input Tools

When this skill prompts the user, follow this tool-selection rule (priority order):

  1. Prefer built-in user-input tools exposed by the current agent runtime — e.g., AskUserQuestion, request_user_input, clarify, ask_user, or any equivalent.
  2. Fallback: if no such tool exists, emit a numbered plain-text message and ask the user to reply with the chosen number/answer for each question.
  3. Batching: if the tool supports multiple questions per call, combine all applicable questions into a single call; if only single-question, ask them one at a time in priority order.

Concrete AskUserQuestion references below are examples — substitute the local equivalent in other runtimes.

Script Directory

{baseDir} = this SKILL.md's directory. ${BUN_X} = bun if installed; else npx -y bun if npx available; else suggest installing bun. Replace {baseDir} and ${BUN_X} with actual values.

Script Purpose
scripts/main.ts Main entry point with CLI options (uses remark-cjk-friendly for CJK emphasis)
scripts/quotes.ts Replace ASCII quotes with fullwidth quotes
scripts/autocorrect.ts Add CJK/English spacing via autocorrect

Preferences (EXTEND.md)

First one found wins:

Priority Path Scope
1 .baoyu-skills/baoyu-format-markdown/EXTEND.md Project
2 ${XDG_CONFIG_HOME:-$HOME/.config}/baoyu-skills/baoyu-format-markdown/EXTEND.md XDG
3 $HOME/.baoyu-skills/baoyu-format-markdown/EXTEND.md User home

None found → use defaults (no first-time setup for this skill).

Setting Values Default Description
auto_select true/false false Skip both title and summary selection, auto-pick best
auto_select_title true/false false Skip title selection only
auto_select_summary true/false false Skip summary selection only
Other — — Default formatting options, typography preferences

Workflow

The agent analyzes and formats (Steps 1-5), then runs the typography script (Step 6).

Step 1: Read & Detect Content Type

Read the file. It is Markdown if it has --- YAML frontmatter, #/##/### headings, or **bold**/*italic*/lists/code blocks/blockquotes; otherwise plain text.

If Markdown, ask:

Detected existing markdown formatting. What would you like to do?

1. Optimize formatting (Recommended)
   - Analyze content, improve headings, bold, lists for readability
   - Run typography script (spacing, emphasis fixes)
   - Output: {filename}-formatted.md

2. Keep original formatting
   - Preserve existing markdown structure
   - Run typography script only
   - Output: {filename}-formatted.md

3. Typography fixes only
   - Run typography script on original file in-place
   - No copy created, modifies original file directly
  • Optimize → Step 2 (full workflow)
  • Keep original → skip to Step 5 (copy file), then Step 6
  • Typography only → skip to Step 6 on the original file

Step 2: Analyze Content (Reader's Perspective)

Read the whole text and ask what would help a reader quickly understand and remember it. Save {original-filename}-analysis.md — the blueprint for Step 4:

# Content Analysis: {filename}

## Highlights & Key Insights
- [core arguments/conclusions, surprising facts or data, counterintuitive claims, golden quotes]

## Structure Assessment
- Current flow: [describe]
- Suggested sections: [heading candidates with brief rationale; unheaded section boundaries; walls of text needing breaks]

## Reader-Important Information
- [actionable takeaways, key definitions, lists buried in prose, comparisons that should be tables]

## Formatting Issues
- [specific issues with location: heading hierarchy, mixed-topic paragraphs, parallel items as prose, unmarked code/commands/terms]

## Typos Found
- [obvious typos with corrections, or "None found"]

Step 3: Check/Create Frontmatter, Title & Summary

Create a YAML frontmatter block if missing.

Field Processing
title See Title Generation
slug Infer from file path or generate from title
summary One-sentence summary (see Summary Generation)
description Longer descriptive summary (see Summary Generation)
coverImage If imgs/cover.png exists in the same directory, use its relative path
Title Generation

Run this flow even if a title exists, unless auto_select_title is set.

  1. Extract: core argument (one sentence), most impactful opinion/conclusion, reader pain point or curiosity trigger, most memorable metaphor or golden quote
  2. Using references/title-formulas.md: pick the 2-3 best-matching hook formulas ("When to pick each formula"), plus 1-2 straightforward titles (descriptive or declarative, no formula). If the user gave a direction (e.g., "make it suspenseful"), prioritize it. Total 4-5 candidates, obeying the reference's principles and prohibited patterns
  3. Ask, strongest hook first and marked (recommended):
Pick a title:

1. [Hook title A] — (recommended) [formula name]
2. [Hook title B] — [formula name]
3. [Hook title C] — [formula name]
4. [Straightforward title D] — straightforward
5. [Straightforward title E] — straightforward

Enter number, or type a custom title:
  • First line is an H1 → move it to frontmatter and remove it from the body. An existing frontmatter title is context only; still generate fresh candidates.
  • auto_select: true or auto_select_title: true → skip the prompt, use the top candidate.
  • Once the title is in frontmatter, the body must NOT contain an H1.
Summary Generation

Generate both directly (no user selection):

Field Length Purpose
summary 1 sentence, ~50-80 chars Concise hook — feeds, social sharing, SEO meta
description 2-3 sentences, ~100-200 chars Richer context — article previews, newsletter blurbs
  • Convey core value to the reader, not just the topic; prefer concrete details (numbers, outcomes, specific methods)
  • summary punchy and self-contained; description may add supporting details
  • Keep an existing summary/description; only generate the missing one
  • Prohibited: "This article introduces...", "This article explores..."; pure topic description without value; restating the title

Step 4: Format Content

Guided by the Step 2 analysis, make content scannable and key points impossible to miss, using headings (##/###), bold, ordered/unordered lists, tables, inline/fenced code (commands, paths, technical terms), blockquotes, and --- for major transitions.

Don't:

  • Add sentences, explanations, or commentary
  • Delete or shorten any content
  • Rephrase or rewrite the author's words
  • Add editorializing headings (e.g., "Amazing Discovery" — use neutral descriptive ones)
  • Over-format: not every sentence needs bold, not every paragraph a heading

Do:

  • Preserve the author's voice, tone, and every word
  • Bold key conclusions and core takeaways — what a reader would highlight
  • Turn prose into lists only when the parallel structure is clearly there
  • Add headings where the topic genuinely shifts — vivid and specific over generic (e.g., "3 天搞定 vs 传统方案" over "方案对比")
  • Tables for comparisons or structured data buried in prose
  • Blockquotes for golden quotes, memorable statements, or important warnings
  • Fix obvious typos (from Step 2)
  • Specify the language on code blocks (e.g., python, javascript)
  • Maintain CJK/English spacing standards

Step 5: Save Formatted File

Save as {original-filename}-formatted.md, backing up any existing one:

if [ -f "{filename}-formatted.md" ]; then
  mv "{filename}-formatted.md" "{filename}-formatted.backup-$(date +%Y%m%d-%H%M%S).md"
fi

Step 6: Execute Typography Script

${BUN_X} {baseDir}/scripts/main.ts {output-file-path} [options]
Option Short Description Default
--quotes -q Replace ASCII quotes with fullwidth quotes "..." false
--no-quotes Do not replace quotes
--spacing -s Add CJK/English spacing via autocorrect true
--no-spacing Do not add CJK/English spacing
--emphasis -e Fix CJK emphasis punctuation issues true
--no-emphasis Do not fix CJK emphasis issues

Frontmatter YAML is always formatted. Examples: main.ts article.md (defaults), --quotes (add quote replacement), --no-spacing (emphasis only).

Step 7: Completion Report

Report actual changes; omit categories with none:

**Formatting Complete**

**Files:**
- Analysis: {filename}-analysis.md
- Formatted: {filename}-formatted.md

**Content Analysis Summary:**
- Highlights found: X key insights
- Golden quotes: X memorable sentences
- Formatting issues fixed: X items

**Changes Applied:**
- Frontmatter: [added/updated] (title, slug, summary)
- Headings added: X (##: N, ###: N)
- Bold markers added: X
- Lists created: X (from prose → list conversion)
- Tables created: X
- Code markers added: X
- Blockquotes added: X
- Typos fixed: X [list each: "original" → "corrected"]

**Typography Script:**
- CJK spacing: [applied/skipped]
- Emphasis fixes: [applied/skipped]
- Quote replacement: [applied/skipped]

Extension Support

Custom configurations via EXTEND.md — see Preferences above.

Tips for Baoyu Format Markdown

  • • Start a fresh session after installing so your agent picks up the new skill.
  • • This skill ships scripts. Read them before the first run, and run it in a project without secrets first.
  • • It bundles reference files. The agent reads them only when needed, so they cost no context until then.
  • • It is part of a pack with 22 skills. Install only the ones you need with --skill to keep triggers precise.
  • • If two skills overlap, mention the one you want by name.

Questions about Baoyu Format Markdown

What does the Baoyu Format Markdown skill do?

Formats plain text or markdown files with frontmatter, titles, summaries, headings, bold, lists, and code blocks. Use when user asks to "format markdown", "beautify article", "add formatting", or improve article layout. Outputs to {filename}-formatted.md.

How do I install Baoyu Format Markdown?

Run "npx skills add JimLiu/baoyu-skills --skill baoyu-format-markdown" in your project. The skills CLI installs it for Claude Code, Cursor, Codex and 70+ other agents. In Claude on the web, upload the skill folder as a ZIP under Customize > Skills.

Does Baoyu Format Markdown work in Cursor and Codex?

Yes. Baoyu Format Markdown uses the open SKILL.md format, so it works in Claude Code, Claude, Cursor, OpenAI Codex, Gemini CLI, GitHub Copilot and other agents that support agent skills.

Is Baoyu Format Markdown free?

Baoyu Format Markdown is open source on GitHub under the MIT license. It is free to install; check the license before commercial use.

Who made Baoyu Format Markdown?

Baoyu Format Markdown is published by JimLiu in the JimLiu/baoyu-skills repository, together with 21 other skills.

Similar skills. From other creators.