md-pdf-mcp

# Markdown PDF Methodology from Perplexity > Messages are in reverse chronological order [PERPLEXITY] You're very welcome! I totally understand how overwhelming this can feel, especially when you're chasing perfection and trying to avoid the endless export-test-tweak cycle. The frustration with tools like WeasyPrint (and its bugs) is real, so I completely get why you'd want something more intuitive and live-editable. If you're leaning toward **live tweaking** for styles, this website you're exploring sounds like a good playground—especially if it has Node.js tools for styling across languages. It might help you iterate faster without needing to export a hundred times. Combining that with something like Puppeteer or `md-to-pdf` could be a powerful workflow. --- ### **Final Suggestions for Live Styling Workflow** If you want live feedback while styling Markdown: 1. **Markdown Preview Tools**: Use a browser-based Markdown previewer like [markdown-it live demo](https://markdown-it.github.io/) to see changes instantly as you tweak your CSS. 2. **Custom Editor with Live Preview**: Build (or find) a simple Markdown editor with a preview pane where you can inject your custom CSS dynamically. 3. **Browser DevTools**: Render your HTML in the browser (via `markdown-it` or similar) and use Chrome/Firefox DevTools to tweak CSS live before saving it. --- Your idea of bootstrapping something gorgeous is still **totally achievable**, even if it takes a few iterations. And hey, leaning on Claude or Perplexity to process all this is a great way to offload some of the cognitive load—smart move! If you ever need help refining the workflow further or brainstorming lightweight solutions, feel free to reach out again. You’ve got this! Good luck, and happy experimenting! 😊 You're so welcome! I totally get it—when you're used to the precision and beauty of tools like InDesign, anything less can feel like a compromise. And honestly, Markdown-to-PDF workflows can be frustrating when they don't live up to your creative standards. But your drive for perfection is what’s going to make this tool amazing in the end! It sounds like the **live styling workflow** is going to be your best friend here—being able to tweak CSS in real-time and see the results instantly will save you so much time and sanity. Once you get that part nailed, the rest (Markdown → HTML → PDF) will just fall into place. If you ever want to brainstorm further, need help debugging, or even just want someone to celebrate your wins with, I’m here for it. You’ve got an amazing vision, and I know you’ll make it happen. Wishing you all the best on this—and don’t forget to have fun with it! 😊 [SEAN] we tried weasly print first and omg the bugs :( this website has a node js tool for styling too kt has it for every language lol wow. okay this is a lot for my brain right now and the fact that our idea of bootstraping something gorgeous not working is a bumme but i am goin to give this to claude to process. i really just struggle to see how i'll get it good enough without being ableto to tweak the syle setting in whatever language directly to markdown and see the results live instead of exporting a hundred times. but maybe i'll play with this website more thank you for the help1 [PERPLEXITY] Yes, that makes perfect sense! You're essentially trying to **design a beautiful HTML/CSS framework** that can render Markdown content elegantly, then use that as the foundation for converting Markdown to PDFs. The challenge is designing the HTML and CSS *without having Markdown rendered upfront*, but there are ways to approach this systematically. Let’s break it down step by step and address all your concerns: --- ## **1. Forget VSCode's Files – HTML/CSS is the Way Forward** You're absolutely right to move on from trying to replicate VSCode's styling directly. Instead: - Use **HTML/CSS** as your styling foundation. - Treat Markdown as the "content layer" that will be dynamically injected into your HTML structure. This approach gives you full control over the design without being constrained by IDE quirks or VSCode-specific rendering. --- ## **2. Build Your Own Text Editor for Markdown** If you hate writing Markdown in IDEs and want a more user-friendly experience, building a simple **Markdown text editor** is a great idea! Here's how: - Use a beginner-friendly tutorial to create a basic text editor (e.g., with Python/Tkinter, Electron.js, or even just HTML/JavaScript). - Add a real-time preview pane where Markdown is rendered into styled HTML using libraries like `markdown-it` or `marked.js`. - Apply your custom CSS to the preview pane for live feedback on how the final PDF will look. This gives you a lightweight, purpose-built tool for writing Markdown without the clutter of an IDE. --- ## **3. Use HTML/CSS for Styling Markdown** To design your HTML/CSS for Markdown rendering, you don’t need to start with raw Markdown. Instead: 1. Write sample HTML that represents typical Markdown structures (e.g., headings, lists, code blocks). 2. Style the HTML using CSS until it looks perfect. 3. Test it by converting real Markdown into your styled HTML using a library like `markdown-it`. ### **Example: Sample HTML for Styling** Here’s an example of what your base HTML might look like: ```html <!DOCTYPE html> <html lang="en"> <head> <meta charset="UTF-8"> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0"> <title>Markdown Styling</title> <link rel="stylesheet" href="styles.css"> </head> <body> <article class="markdown-body"> <h1>Heading 1</h1> <p>This is a paragraph with some <strong>bold text</strong> and <em>italic text</em>.</p> <h2>Heading 2</h2> <ul> <li>List item 1</li> <li>List item 2</li> </ul> <pre><code>// Code block function helloWorld() { console.log("Hello, world!"); } </code></pre> <blockquote>This is a blockquote.</blockquote> </article> </body> </html> ``` ### **Example: CSS for Styling** You can then style this sample HTML with CSS: ```css body { font-family: 'Georgia', serif; line-height: 1.6; color: #333; background-color: #f9f9f9; padding: 20px; } .markdown-body { max-width: 800px; margin: auto; } h1, h2, h3 { font-family: 'Merriweather', serif; } p { font-size: 18px; } ul { list-style-type: disc; margin-left: 20px; } pre { background-color: #f4f4f4; padding: 10px; border-radius: 5px; } blockquote { border-left: 4px solid #ccc; padding-left: 10px; } ``` Once you’re happy with how this looks, you can use it as the baseline for rendering real Markdown content. --- ## **4. Find a Reliable Script to Convert Markdown → Styled HTML → PDF** Now that you’ve designed your styling in HTML/CSS, you need a script or workflow to: 1. Convert Markdown into styled HTML. 2. Render the styled HTML into a PDF. Here are some reliable tools/scripts for this: ### **Option A: Python + WeasyPrint** WeasyPrint is great for converting styled HTML to PDF while supporting modern CSS. ```python import markdown from weasyprint import HTML # Step 1: Convert Markdown to HTML md_text = """ # Heading This is a paragraph with **bold text** and *italic text*. """ html_content = markdown.markdown(md_text) # Step 2: Wrap the content in your custom CSS html_template = f""" <!DOCTYPE html> <html lang="en"> <head> <meta charset="UTF-8"> <link rel="stylesheet" href="styles.css"> </head> <body class="markdown-body"> {html_content} </body> </html> """ # Step 3: Convert the styled HTML to PDF HTML(string=html_template).write_pdf("output.pdf") ``` ### **Option B: Node.js + Puppeteer** Puppeteer lets you render styled HTML in a headless browser and export it as a PDF. ```javascript const puppeteer = require('puppeteer'); const markdownIt = require('markdown-it')(); const fs = require('fs'); (async () => { const mdText = "# Heading\nThis is a paragraph with **bold** and *italic* text."; const cssPath = "styles.css"; // Convert Markdown to HTML const md = new markdownIt(); const htmlContent = ` <!DOCTYPE html> <html lang="en"> <head> <link rel="stylesheet" href="${cssPath}"> </head> <body class="markdown-body"> ${md.render(mdText)} </body> </html> `; // Launch Puppeteer and generate PDF const browser = await puppeteer.launch(); const page = await browser.newPage(); await page.setContent(htmlContent); await page.pdf({ path: 'output.pdf', format: 'A4' }); await browser.close(); console.log("PDF generated at output.pdf"); })(); ``` --- ## **5. How Do You Design Without Markdown?** To design without having actual Markdown rendered: 1. Start by creating sample **HTML templates** that represent common Markdown elements (headings, lists, code blocks, etc.). 2. Style those templates using CSS until they look perfect. 3. Test by running real Markdown through your script (e.g., Python + WeasyPrint or Node.js + Puppeteer) and tweaking styles as needed. --- ## **6. Bonus Idea: Liquid Tool-Like Interactive Pages** If you're inspired by tools like Liquid (or Notion-like interactive pages), you could extend this project to include: - A live editor where users write in Markdown and see an interactive preview. - Export options for both PDFs and web-based interactive pages (using frameworks like React or Svelte). This would elevate your tool beyond just static PDFs! --- ## **Final Workflow Recommendation** Here’s what I’d suggest: 1. Design your base styles in plain HTML/CSS using sample content. 2. Use Python (`WeasyPrint`) or Node.js (`Puppeteer`) to convert real Markdown into styled PDFs. 3. Build a lightweight text editor (or integrate an existing one) for writing Markdown with live previews. 4. Wrap everything in an MCP agent so it can dynamically process LLM-generated content. This approach ensures flexibility, scalability, and beautiful results tailored specifically for Markdown lovers! Let me know if you'd like help with any specific part of this workflow! [SEAN] so i have found an extention for my IDE but the MCP was to go into an agent who we have a rag and scraper set up (it will write cover letters) and then i HATE writing markdown in IDEs becuase its always an issue with thigsnbeing git and finding a place. so i was thinking id probably design a text editor becauser there is a entry oevel turorial for coding to make one and the styling would just be something to augment it but it sounds like we just need to forget vscodes files, we should use html/css like on a website (oh this reminded me of that liquid tool too that makes markdown into freaking awesome website interactive pages no idea how that works tho) but then i can perfect as i please and the only remaining aspect would be finding a reliable script to use that will take markdown put it through my html/css, and make a pdf BUT how do i design html and css to look pretty FOR MAKRDOWN without markdown being theree to start as wel does that make sense? [PERPLEXITY] Yes, the W3Schools visual code editor is not the ideal solution for your needs. It’s a basic tool for testing HTML/CSS or Python snippets, but it lacks the advanced rendering and Markdown-to-PDF conversion capabilities you’re aiming for. Let’s revisit your goals and look at practical ways to achieve **gorgeous PDFs** from Markdown while leveraging tools like VSCode’s styling. --- ## **Context Recap** - You love how Markdown renders in **VSCode**, Cursor, and similar tools. - You’ve tried translating VSCode’s CSS into Python (e.g., `reportlab`) but couldn’t replicate its beauty. - Tools like HackMD and Obsidian are great but cost money. - You want Markdown-to-PDF conversion with **beautiful typography** and **custom styles**. --- ## **Solution: Bring VSCode’s Rendering to Your Tool** ### **1. Use the "Pretty Markdown PDF" Extension** The [Pretty Markdown PDF](https://github.com/djfdyuruiry/pretty-markdown-pdf) tool is based on the VSCode Markdown PDF extension, which already uses VSCode's rendering engine. This means: - It supports exporting Markdown to **PDF, HTML, PNG, and JPEG**. - It retains the beautiful styles you see in VSCode. - You can customize it with your own CSS. #### Steps: 1. Install the extension or clone the repository. 2. Add custom CSS to match your desired typography or layout. 3. Export your Markdown directly to a styled PDF. This approach ensures you get the same rendering fidelity as VSCode without needing to rebuild everything from scratch. --- ### **2. Use `md-to-pdf` (Node.js)** The [md-to-pdf](https://www.npmjs.com/package/md-to-pdf) tool is another excellent option that combines: - **Markdown rendering (via Marked.js)**: Converts Markdown to HTML. - **Puppeteer (headless Chromium)**: Converts styled HTML to PDF with CSS support. #### Why It Works: - You can inject custom CSS for styling. - It supports advanced features like headers, footers, syntax highlighting, and page breaks. #### Steps: 1. Install it via npm: ```bash npm install -g md-to-pdf ``` 2. Create a custom CSS file (`styles.css`) for your typography. 3. Convert your Markdown: ```bash md-to-pdf input.md --stylesheet styles.css ``` This tool is lightweight, hackable, and perfect if you want fine-grained control over styling. --- ### **3. Use `wkhtmltopdf` with GitHub-Styled CSS** If you want something closer to GitHub’s Markdown preview (which is also beautiful), you can use `wkhtmltopdf` with a GitHub-styled CSS file. #### Steps: 1. Download GitHub’s CSS file from [this repository](https://github.com/simov/markdown-viewer/tree/master/themes). 2. Convert your Markdown to HTML using `pandoc` or another tool: ```bash pandoc input.md -o output.html --css github.css ``` 3. Use `wkhtmltopdf` to convert the styled HTML into a PDF: ```bash wkhtmltopdf output.html output.pdf ``` This method gives you a professional look while leveraging open-source tools. --- ### **4. Build Your Own Tool Using Puppeteer** If you’re okay with coding, Puppeteer offers full control over rendering and styling. Here’s how you can replicate VSCode’s rendering: #### Example Workflow: 1. Write your content in Markdown. 2. Convert it to HTML using a library like `markdown-it`. 3. Apply custom CSS (e.g., extracted from VSCode). 4. Render the HTML as a PDF using Puppeteer. #### Code Example: ```javascript const puppeteer = require('puppeteer'); const fs = require('fs'); const markdownIt = require('markdown-it')(); const mdText = "# Hello World\nThis is a **Markdown** example."; const cssPath = "vscode-styles.css"; (async () => { const browser = await puppeteer.launch(); const page = await browser.newPage(); // Convert Markdown to HTML const htmlContent = ` <html> <head> <link rel="stylesheet" href="${cssPath}"> </head> <body> ${markdownIt.render(mdText)} </body> </html> `; // Render and convert to PDF await page.setContent(htmlContent); await page.pdf({ path: 'output.pdf', format: 'A4' }); await browser.close(); console.log("PDF generated at output.pdf"); })(); ``` This approach gives you complete control over the final output while maintaining flexibility for future enhancements. --- ### **5. Leverage Pandoc for Advanced Formatting** If you’re comfortable with command-line tools, Pandoc is incredibly versatile for converting Markdown into PDFs with advanced layouts. #### Why Pandoc? - It supports custom templates (HTML or LaTeX). - You can inject CSS for styling. - It handles long documents well (e.g., books or reports). #### Example Command: ```bash pandoc input.md -o output.pdf --css vscode-styles.css --pdf-engine=wkhtmltopdf ``` You can even use LaTeX templates if you need academic-grade typesetting. --- ## **Why Not W3Schools?** The W3Schools editor is great for quick experiments but lacks the depth required for high-quality PDF generation with advanced styling. Tools like `md-to-pdf`, Puppeteer, or Pandoc are far better suited for your project goals. --- ## **Recommendation** To save your project and bring stunning PDFs to Markdown lovers: 1. Use the [Pretty Markdown PDF](https://github.com/djfdyuruiry/pretty-markdown-pdf) extension if you want a plug-and-play solution based on VSCode’s rendering. 2. For more customization, use `md-to-pdf` or Puppeteer with custom CSS extracted from VSCode. 3. If you’re comfortable with command-line tools, integrate Pandoc + `wkhtmltopdf` for scalable workflows. These approaches allow you to retain the beauty of VSCode’s rendering while delivering professional-quality PDFs tailored for Markdown enthusiasts! Let me know if you'd like help implementing any of these solutions! Sources [1] How to convert Markdown + CSS -> PDF? - Stack Overflow https://stackoverflow.com/questions/23825317/how-to-convert-markdown-css-pdf [2] Python : How to convert markdown formatted text to text https://stackoverflow.com/questions/761824/python-how-to-convert-markdown-formatted-text-to-text [3] md-to-pdf - NPM https://www.npmjs.com/package/md-to-pdf [4] Python Interactive window - Visual Studio Code https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/python/jupyter-support-py [5] djfdyuruiry/pretty-markdown-pdf: Convert Markdown to a Pretty PDF :D https://github.com/djfdyuruiry/pretty-markdown-pdf [6] Formatting Python in VS Code https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/python/formatting [7] Converting .md to .pdf, with images - Super User https://superuser.com/questions/1568738/converting-md-to-pdf-with-images [8] VSCode Python Data Science Setup, Part 11 - YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=galkO3t_1Og [SEAN] damn so this w3school site visual code editor for styles is not a soution? I mean i guess i'm okay to go back to html again so to explain, we LOVE the rendering that vscode and cursor does for markdown it is better than anything. there are tools like hackmd and obsidian that do the same but they cost money which seems silly. so we wanted to bring the gorgeous pdfs to makrdown lovers which i've become. vscode being open we found all the css files and translated them for py but it never came out pretty so i'mtrying to save the project i would still like to write in markdown and be able to premptively input the design i want markdown to translate to for the tool i can make gorgeous typography, we just though we found a workaroud with vscode being amaizing and open Does that context help [PERPLEXITY] Got it! Since you're building a **Markdown-to-PDF tool** that will be wrapped in an **MCP** to enable seamless integration with an LLM (e.g., for dynamic Markdown generation), here's how you can approach the problem while ensuring scalability, modularity, and ease of integration. --- ## **1. Key Requirements for Your MCP-Integrated Tool** To make your tool work well as part of an MCP: - **Stand-alone Functionality:** The tool should work independently for Markdown-to-PDF conversion. - **LLM Integration:** The tool should accept Markdown generated by the LLM dynamically and return styled PDFs. - **Context-Aware Design:** Through MCP, the tool must handle context updates (e.g., LLM-generated Markdown with specific user preferences or styles). - **Scalable Architecture:** The tool should be lightweight and modular to fit into the client-server MCP framework. --- ## **2. Recommended Workflow for the Tool** Here’s a modular workflow that aligns with MCP principles: ### **a. Input Layer: Markdown Parsing** - Use a Python library like `markdown` or `mistune` to parse Markdown into HTML. - Include hooks for context updates (e.g., user-specific styles or templates provided by the LLM). ### **b. Styling Layer: CSS Integration** - Use external or inline CSS to style the HTML output. This ensures flexibility when the LLM or MCP server specifies custom styles. ### **c. Output Layer: PDF Generation** - Use a library like `WeasyPrint` (Python) or Puppeteer (Node.js) for converting styled HTML to PDF. - Ensure the output is lightweight and adheres to any context constraints provided by the MCP. ### **d. Context Management via MCP** - Implement hooks in your tool to accept context updates from the MCP server (e.g., user preferences, document templates, or branding guidelines). - Use the MCP SDK (e.g., Python SDK from [GitHub](https://github.com/modelcontextprotocol)) to handle communication between your tool and the LLM. --- ## **3. Example Implementation** Here’s how you can structure your Python-based tool for Markdown-to-PDF conversion with MCP integration: ### **Core Tool Code** ```python import markdown from weasyprint import HTML from mcp_sdk import MCPClient # Hypothetical MCP SDK for Python class MarkdownToPDF: def __init__(self, css_path=None): self.css_path = css_path def parse_markdown(self, md_text): """Convert Markdown to HTML.""" return markdown.markdown(md_text) def apply_styles(self, html_content): """Embed CSS into the HTML.""" if self.css_path: with open(self.css_path, 'r') as css_file: css = f"<style>{css_file.read()}</style>" return f"{css}{html_content}" return html_content def generate_pdf(self, html_content, output_path): """Convert styled HTML to PDF.""" HTML(string=html_content).write_pdf(output_path) # Example Usage if __name__ == "__main__": # Initialize the tool md_to_pdf = MarkdownToPDF(css_path="styles.css") # Example Markdown input md_text = "# Hello World\nThis is a dynamically generated **Markdown** example." # Parse and style html_content = md_to_pdf.parse_markdown(md_text) styled_html = md_to_pdf.apply_styles(html_content) # Generate PDF md_to_pdf.generate_pdf(styled_html, "output.pdf") ``` ### **MCP Integration** Wrap this tool in an MCP client so it can interact with an LLM dynamically. ```python class MarkdownToPDFMCP(MarkdownToPDF): def __init__(self, css_path=None): super().__init__(css_path) self.mcp_client = MCPClient() # Initialize MCP client def handle_request(self, request): """Process requests from LLM via MCP.""" md_text = request.get("markdown", "") context = request.get("context", {}) # Update styles based on context if "css" in context: self.css_path = context["css"] # Convert Markdown to PDF html_content = self.parse_markdown(md_text) styled_html = self.apply_styles(html_content) output_path = "output.pdf" self.generate_pdf(styled_html, output_path) return {"status": "success", "output": output_path} # Example Usage with MCP if __name__ == "__main__": mcp_tool = MarkdownToPDFMCP(css_path="default_styles.css") # Simulate an incoming request from an LLM via MCP request_data = { "markdown": "# Dynamic Title\nGenerated by an LLM.", "context": {"css": "custom_styles.css"} } response = mcp_tool.handle_request(request_data) print(response) ``` --- ## **4. Why This Approach Works with MCP** 1. **Modularity:** The core functionality (Markdown-to-PDF conversion) is independent of the integration layer (MCP). 2. **Context Awareness:** The `handle_request` method allows dynamic updates based on context passed by the LLM via MCP. 3. **Scalability:** By using an open protocol like MCP, you can easily extend this tool to handle other formats or integrate new features without rewriting core logic. --- ## **5. Alternative Tools for Styling and Conversion** If you decide to explore other technologies: - **Node.js + Puppeteer:** For more advanced rendering capabilities. - **Pandoc:** A robust command-line tool for converting Markdown to various formats, including PDFs. - **Typora + Custom Export Plugins:** For highly styled outputs without much coding. --- ## **6. Final Thoughts** By wrapping your stand-alone Markdown-to-PDF tool in an MCP client: - You ensure seamless integration with LLMs. - You leverage context management for dynamic styling and templating. - You future-proof your system by adhering to open standards like MCP. This approach will allow your tool to scale effectively while maintaining flexibility and ease of use. Let me know if you’d like further guidance on specific parts of this implementation! Sources [1] What is Model Context Protocol? - Portkey.ai https://portkey.ai/blog/model-context-protocol-for-llm-appls [2] Model Context Protocol - GitHub https://github.com/modelcontextprotocol [3] Introducing the Model Context Protocol - Anthropic https://www.anthropic.com/news/model-context-protocol [4] Engineering AI systems with Model Context Protocol · Raygun Blog https://raygun.com/blog/announcing-mcp/ [5] Model Context Protocol x Continue https://blog.continue.dev/model-context-protocol/ [6] Model Context Protocol: Introduction https://modelcontextprotocol.io/introduction [7] Why Anthropic's Model Context Protocol Is A Big Step In ... - Forbes https://www.forbes.com/sites/janakirammsv/2024/11/30/why-anthropics-model-context-protocol-is-a-big-step-in-the-evolution-of-ai-agents/ [SEAN] mcp in this context just means it plugs the tool into an LLM so like the lllm could write markdown on the fly. the tool works stand alone whenwe build it then wrap it in a mcp [PERPLEXITY] Ah, I see! If you're building a **model context protocol** (MCP) to handle Markdown-to-PDF conversion with styling, this changes the approach slightly. The goal here is likely to create a modular, scalable, and reusable system for processing Markdown with custom styling. Let’s refine the strategy based on this context. --- ## **1. What Does MCP Mean in This Context?** If I understand correctly, you're creating a protocol that defines how Markdown is processed, styled, and converted into PDFs. This likely involves: - **Input:** Markdown files or raw text. - **Processing:** Parsing Markdown into an intermediate format (e.g., HTML). - **Styling:** Applying CSS or other formatting rules. - **Output:** Generating a styled PDF. If you're creating a reusable tool, the key is modularity and flexibility. Let’s break this down further. --- ## **2. Python-Based Workflow for MCP** If Python is your language of choice, here’s how you can structure your MCP: ### **a. Modular Workflow** 1. **Markdown Parsing:** Use `markdown2` or `mistune` to convert Markdown into HTML. 2. **Styling:** Use CSS for styling the HTML (you can embed it or link an external stylesheet). 3. **PDF Generation:** Use `WeasyPrint` or `pdfkit` for rendering the HTML into a PDF. ### **b. Example MCP Code** Here’s a simple Python implementation for your protocol: ```python import markdown from weasyprint import HTML class MarkdownToPDF: def __init__(self, css_path=None): self.css_path = css_path def parse_markdown(self, md_text): """Convert Markdown to HTML.""" return markdown.markdown(md_text) def apply_styles(self, html_content): """Embed CSS into the HTML.""" if self.css_path: with open(self.css_path, 'r') as css_file: css = f"<style>{css_file.read()}</style>" return f"{css}{html_content}" return html_content def generate_pdf(self, html_content, output_path): """Convert styled HTML to PDF.""" HTML(string=html_content).write_pdf(output_path) # Example Usage if __name__ == "__main__": md_text = "# Hello World\nThis is a **Markdown** example." css_path = "styles.css" # Path to your CSS file output_pdf = "output.pdf" converter = MarkdownToPDF(css_path=css_path) html_content = converter.parse_markdown(md_text) styled_html = converter.apply_styles(html_content) converter.generate_pdf(styled_html, output_pdf) print(f"PDF generated at {output_pdf}") ``` --- ## **3. Why WeasyPrint Over ReportLab?** - **Modern Styling:** WeasyPrint supports modern web standards (HTML5/CSS3), making it easier to use CSS for styling. - **Ease of Use:** It abstracts away much of the complexity compared to `reportlab`. - **Scalability:** You can easily extend it to handle templates or dynamic content. However, if you want more control over layout (e.g., custom grids), you might still need `reportlab`. But for most use cases, WeasyPrint or similar tools are faster and more intuitive. --- ## **4. HTML/CSS Workflow for MCP** If you’re open to using HTML/CSS as part of your protocol: ### **a. Why Use HTML/CSS?** - Markdown is naturally converted into HTML. - CSS gives you full control over styling (fonts, colors, layouts). - Tools like Puppeteer or `wkhtmltopdf` make it easy to render PDFs from styled HTML. ### **b. Example Workflow** 1. Parse Markdown into HTML using a library like `markdown-it` (Node.js) or `markdown-cli`. 2. Apply CSS styles. 3. Convert the styled HTML into a PDF using Puppeteer or `wkhtmltopdf`. #### Example with Puppeteer: ```javascript const puppeteer = require('puppeteer'); const fs = require('fs'); const markdownIt = require('markdown-it')(); const mdText = "# Hello World\nThis is a **Markdown** example."; const cssPath = "styles.css"; (async () => { const browser = await puppeteer.launch(); const page = await browser.newPage(); // Convert Markdown to HTML const htmlContent = ` <html> <head> <link rel="stylesheet" href="${cssPath}"> </head> <body> ${markdownIt.render(mdText)} </body> </html> `; // Render and convert to PDF await page.setContent(htmlContent); await page.pdf({ path: 'output.pdf', format: 'A4' }); await browser.close(); console.log("PDF generated at output.pdf"); })(); ``` --- ## **5. Should You Use the W3Schools Tools?** The W3Schools tools are great for quick experimentation but are not suited for building an MCP. Instead: - Use Python with libraries like `WeasyPrint` for backend workflows. - Use Node.js with Puppeteer if you need advanced rendering capabilities. --- ## **6. Recommendations for Your MCP** Given your goals and challenges: 1. Stick with Python if you want simplicity and integration with other tools. - Use `WeasyPrint` for modern styling. - Avoid `reportlab` unless you need very custom layouts. 2. If visual fidelity is critical, use an HTML/CSS-based workflow with Puppeteer or `wkhtmltopdf`. 3. Modularize your protocol: - Input: Accept Markdown files or raw text. - Processing: Convert Markdown to styled HTML. - Output: Render PDFs using tools like WeasyPrint or Puppeteer. --- ## **7. Final Thoughts** It sounds like you're building something robust and reusable—great work! If you're aiming for high-quality output and scalability: - Focus on modularity in your MCP design. - Leverage modern tools like WeasyPrint or Puppeteer for styling and rendering. - Avoid overcomplicating things with tools like W3Schools’ editor—it’s better suited for quick tests than production workflows. Let me know if you'd like more specific examples or help refining your protocol further! [SEAN] so we are making an model context protocol just fyi (regarding the other tools) [PERPLEXITY] To address your challenges with Markdown-to-PDF conversion and styling, here are some recommendations and approaches: --- ## **1. Making the W3Schools Tool Work** The W3Schools Python tools you linked are primarily designed for basic Python execution and experimentation, not for advanced Markdown-to-PDF styling workflows. However, if you're trying to use Python for this task (e.g., with `reportlab`), you'll need to: - Write a Python script (`prog.py`) that uses libraries like `markdown2` or `markdown` to parse Markdown into HTML. - Use a library like `WeasyPrint` or `pdfkit` to convert the resulting HTML to PDF with CSS styling. Example: ```python import markdown from weasyprint import HTML # Convert Markdown to HTML md_text = """ # Title This is a **Markdown** example. """ html_content = markdown.markdown(md_text) # Convert HTML to PDF HTML(string=html_content).write_pdf("output.pdf") ``` This approach allows you to apply CSS styles during the conversion process. --- ## **2. Alternatives to Python Styling** If Python's `reportlab` or similar libraries are too tedious, consider switching back to an HTML/CSS-based workflow for better control over styling. Here are some options: ### **a. Use `wkhtmltopdf`** - Convert Markdown to HTML using a tool like `markdown-cli`. - Apply CSS styles to the HTML. - Use `wkhtmltopdf` to convert the styled HTML into a PDF. Command-line example: ```bash markdown-cli input.md > output.html wkhtmltopdf --user-style-sheet style.css output.html output.pdf ``` ### **b. Puppeteer or Playwright** These Node.js libraries allow you to programmatically render HTML with CSS and convert it to PDF: ```javascript const puppeteer = require('puppeteer'); (async () => { const browser = await puppeteer.launch(); const page = await browser.newPage(); await page.setContent('<h1 style="color:red;">Hello World</h1>'); await page.pdf({ path: 'output.pdf', format: 'A4' }); await browser.close(); })(); ``` --- ## **3. Tools for Markdown-to-PDF Conversion** Here are some tools that simplify the process without requiring extensive coding: ### **a. Online Converters** - [PDFCreator Online](https://www.pdfforge.org/online/en/markdown-to-pdf) lets you upload Markdown files and customize basic settings like font, orientation, and page breaks[7]. - [md-to-pdf](https://md-to-pdf.fly.dev) is another web-based service for quick conversions[4]. ### **b. Visual Studio Code Extensions** The "Markdown PDF" extension in VS Code allows you to preview Markdown and export it as a styled PDF using custom CSS[6]. ### **c. WeasyPrint** A Python-based tool that supports modern web standards (HTML5/CSS3) and handles complex layouts well[2][3]. --- ## **4. Should You Go Back to HTML/CSS?** Yes, if visual fidelity is critical, going back to an HTML/CSS workflow is advisable. Tools like `html2pdf.js`, Puppeteer, or WeasyPrint allow you to leverage CSS for precise styling while maintaining flexibility for complex layouts. ### Recommended Workflow: 1. Write your content in Markdown. 2. Convert Markdown to styled HTML using a tool like `markdown-cli`. 3. Use an HTML-to-PDF converter (e.g., Puppeteer, WeasyPrint, or `wkhtmltopdf`) with custom CSS. --- ## **5. Conclusion** For the best results: - If you're comfortable with Python, use `WeasyPrint` for modern web standards support. - If you prefer simplicity, try online tools like PDFCreator Online or md-to-pdf. - For full control over styling, go back to an HTML/CSS workflow with tools like Puppeteer or `wkhtmltopdf`. Let me know if you'd like code examples tailored further! Sources [1] How to Convert Markdown to PDF – 5 Methods Unveiled - UPDF https://updf.com/knowledge/markdown-to-pdf/ [2] Top 10 ways of converting HTML to PDF | Nutrient - PSPDFKit https://www.nutrient.io/blog/top-ten-ways-to-convert-html-to-pdf/ [3] Markdown to PDF: missing pieces from various approaches, and ... https://dev.to/patarapolw/markdown-to-pdf-missing-pieces-from-various-approaches-and-merging-together-2dp3 [4] md-to-pdf https://md-to-pdf.fly.dev [5] 10+ Best Tools to Convert HTML to PDF for 2025 - ThimPress https://thimpress.com/best-tools-to-convert-html-to-pdf/ [6] How to Convert Markdown to a PDF: 3 Quick Solutions https://therenegadecoder.com/blog/how-to-convert-markdown-to-a-pdf-3-quick-solutions/ [7] Convert Markdown to PDF for free with PDFCreator Online - pdfforge https://www.pdfforge.org/online/en/markdown-to-pdf [8] Best HTML to PDF converter of 2025 - TechRadar https://www.techradar.com/best/best-html-to-pdf-converter [9] Convert Markdown to PDF by applying CSS - YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zktKckI4180 [10] Convert Markdown to PDF only using browser - Hacker News https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=19488561 [SEAN] I tried to make a markdown to pdf tool and it works but not as pretty as it should be. i just found this curious site -- it has a front end viewer where you can fiddle with html or css styling and see the results. it also has a one pager for python that i'm clueless how to use bcause it just doesnt work from just pasting in pythong styling. then i found the back end tool that wants a prog.py ptyon for me to past in (im thinking this is styles) and then just plain text input section. still can't figure it out with claude. so multiple questions. first obvi, any easy trick to make this tool work ? https://www.w3schools.com/tryit/trycompiler.asp?filename=demo_python https://www.w3schools.com/python/trypython.asp?filename=demo_indentation claude brought up making the tool over with html but we did that the first time and it just didnt conver easy to pdf from markdown what are our options dyt? i'm so done fiddling the python sytling that requires report lab. putting extra stuff into one page just looks like plain text still. making me think the key is the two page tool. like without this kind of visual editing the tool we made wont work nice enough to use. are we forced to go back to html? css? and if so, are they other good md to pdf tools using those languages for styling? what should we do plex?