Docx Read Fallback

OrganizationPopular

HKUDS

docx-read-fallback

Use run_shell with python-docx as reliable fallback when read_file fails on .docx files

Overview

Publisher	HKUDS
Repository	`OpenSpace`
Skill name	`docx-read-fallback`
Stars	7.7K
Forks	918
Bundled files	Instructions only
License	MIT
Links	Skill source Repository

Markdown instructions
A SKILL.md file the model loads on demand, so it only costs tokens when a request actually matches.
Works with any LLM
AI skills are plain Markdown, not provider-specific code, so this works with GPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, or a local model.
Self-contained
Everything the model needs lives in the instructions — no extra files to sync.
Open source
Published by HKUDS on GitHub. Read the source before you install it.

Installation

Install the Docx Read Fallback AI skill in TypingMind to use it with any LLM, or drop it into another agent that reads SKILL.md.

Install in TypingMind

TypingMind installs a skill straight from its GitHub folder — it reads SKILL.md, bundles the resource files, and stores the result locally.

Open the app and go to Plugins → Skills.
Choose "Install from GitHub".
Paste the skill folder URL below and confirm.
Enable the skill in any chat where you want it available.

Store

Installed

Skills

Add skills

Import one or more skills from a public GitHub folder or a local .skill or .zip archive, or SKILL.md file.

From GitHub URLFrom .skill, .zip, or SKILL.md

GitHub repo or folder

https://github.com/HKUDS/OpenSpace/tree/main/benchmarks/gdpval/skills/docx-read-fallback

Points to a single skill folder, or any folder that contains multiple skills. Public repos only.

CancelContinue

Plugins → Skills → Add skill → From GitHub URL, then paste the folder URL and press Continue.

Install in another agent

Any agent that reads the Agent Skills format can use this skill — copy the folder into that agent's skills directory.

Claude Code — .claude/skills

git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/HKUDS/OpenSpace.git /tmp/OpenSpace
mkdir -p .claude/skills
cp -r /tmp/OpenSpace/benchmarks/gdpval/skills/docx-read-fallback .claude/skills/docx-read-fallback

Restart Claude Code after copying so it picks up the new skill.

Use it in TypingMind

Enable Docx Read Fallback in any TypingMind chat and the model takes it from there. Its name and description sit in the system prompt, and the moment a request matches, the model loads the full instructions itself — you never invoke it by hand, and it costs no tokens until it is actually used.

The model loads Docx Read Fallback on its own as soon as a request matches it.

Works with any AI model

AI skills are plain Markdown instructions rather than provider-specific code, so Docx Read Fallback is not tied to the model it was written for. Install it once in TypingMind and use it with GPT-5, Claude, Gemini, Grok, DeepSeek, Mistral, Llama, or a local model you run yourself — all on your own API keys.

Loaded only when it is needed
The system prompt carries just the name and description. The instructions are fetched on the first matching request, so an idle skill costs nothing.
Switch models mid-chat
Because the skill is instructions rather than code, changing model does not break it — the next model reads the same SKILL.md.

Skill instructions

This is the SKILL.md content the model loads. Read it before installing — a skill is instructions your model will follow.

DOCX Read Fallback

When read_file or execute_code_sandbox fails to read .docx files, use run_shell with python-docx as a reliable workaround.

When to Use

read_file fails, times out, or returns errors on .docx files
execute_code_sandbox attempts to read the docx fail
You need to extract text content from a Word document
Multiple standard approaches have been exhausted

How to Use

Basic Text Extraction

bash
python -c "import docx; doc = docx.Document('path/to/file.docx'); print('\n'.join([p.text for p in doc.paragraphs]))"

Using run_shell Tool


run_shell command="python -c \"import docx; doc = docx.Document('path/to/file.docx'); print('\n'.join([p.text for p in doc.paragraphs]))\"" timeout=60

Extract Paragraphs with Indices

bash
python -c "import docx; doc = docx.Document('file.docx'); [print(f'P{i}: {p.text}') for i, p in enumerate(doc.paragraphs) if p.text.strip()]"

Extract Tables

bash
python -c "import docx; doc = docx.Document('file.docx'); [[print([[cell.text for cell in row.cells] for row in table.rows]) for table in doc.tables]]"

Extract Headings (by style)

bash
python -c "import docx; doc = docx.Document('file.docx'); [print(p.text) for p in doc.paragraphs if p.style.name.startswith('Heading')]"

Prerequisites

Ensure python-docx is available:

bash
python -c "import docx; print('docx available')"

If not installed:

bash
pip install python-docx

Tips

Use absolute paths to avoid working directory issues
Set appropriate timeout (30-60 seconds for large documents)
Escape quotes properly when embedding in shell commands
For large documents, extract content in chunks or filter by paragraph index
This approach bypasses file type detection issues in read_file

Example Workflow

Try read_file on the .docx file
If it fails, verify python-docx availability
Use run_shell with the python-docx extraction command
Parse the stdout to get document content
Proceed with your analysis using the extracted text

Frequently asked questions

What does the Docx Read Fallback AI skill do?

Use run_shell with python-docx as reliable fallback when read_file fails on .docx files

Why use Docx Read Fallback on TypingMind?

Because you install it once and use it with any model. Docx Read Fallback is plain Markdown rather than provider-specific code, so the same skill runs on GPT-5, Claude, Gemini, Grok, or a local model — and you can switch model mid-chat without it breaking. TypingMind runs on your own API keys, so you pay providers directly instead of a per-seat subscription, and your skills and chats stay in your own storage.

How do I install Docx Read Fallback in TypingMind?

Open Plugins → Skills → Install from GitHub in TypingMind and paste https://github.com/HKUDS/OpenSpace/tree/main/benchmarks/gdpval/skills/docx-read-fallback. TypingMind reads its SKILL.md and installs it as a skill you can enable per chat.

Which AI models can use Docx Read Fallback?

Any model you connect in TypingMind. AI skills are plain Markdown instructions rather than provider-specific code, so GPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, and local models can all load this skill when a request matches it.

How many AI models can I use with Docx Read Fallback?

As many as you like. As long as a model supports skills, you can use Docx Read Fallback with it — GPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, DeepSeek, Mistral, Llama and more — all on TypingMind with your own API keys.

Is the Docx Read Fallback AI skill free?

Yes. It is published on GitHub by HKUDS under the MIT license. You only pay your own AI provider for the tokens you use.

What are AI skills?

An AI skill is a reusable instruction bundle that teaches an AI model how to do one specific task. It follows the open Agent Skills format: a SKILL.md file with a name and description, plus any scripts, templates or reference files the model may need. The model reads the instructions only when your request matches the skill, so an installed skill costs nothing until it is used.

How are AI skills different from plugins or MCP servers?

A plugin or MCP server gives a model new tools to call — code that runs somewhere and returns a result. An AI skill gives the model knowledge and process instead: how to approach a task, which steps to follow, what good output looks like. Skills are plain Markdown, so they need no server, no API key and no runtime, and they work with any model.

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Overview

Installation

Install in TypingMind

Install in another agent

Use it in TypingMind

Works with any AI model

Skill instructions

DOCX Read Fallback

When to Use

How to Use

Basic Text Extraction

Using run_shell Tool

Extract Paragraphs with Indices

Extract Tables

Extract Headings (by style)

Prerequisites

Tips

Example Workflow

Frequently asked questions

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