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JDJR2024

Markdownify MCP Server - UTF-8 Enhanced

by JDJR2024

pdf-to-markdown

Transform PDF files into Markdown format using enhanced UTF-8 and multilingual support for better document accessibility and integration.

Instructions

Convert a PDF file to markdown

Input Schema

TableJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
filepathYesAbsolute path of the PDF file to convert

Implementation Reference

  • Handler logic for the 'pdf-to-markdown' tool (shared with other file-to-markdown tools). Validates the filepath argument and delegates conversion to Markdownify.toMarkdown.
    case tools.PDFToMarkdownTool.name:
    case tools.ImageToMarkdownTool.name:
    case tools.AudioToMarkdownTool.name:
    case tools.DocxToMarkdownTool.name:
    case tools.XlsxToMarkdownTool.name:
    case tools.PptxToMarkdownTool.name:
      if (!validatedArgs.filepath) {
        throw new Error("File path is required for this tool");
      }
      result = await Markdownify.toMarkdown({
        filePath: validatedArgs.filepath,
        projectRoot: validatedArgs.projectRoot,
        uvPath: validatedArgs.uvPath || process.env.UV_PATH,
      });
      break;
  • Input schema definition for the 'pdf-to-markdown' tool, requiring an absolute filepath.
    export const PDFToMarkdownTool = ToolSchema.parse({
      name: "pdf-to-markdown",
      description: "Convert a PDF file to markdown",
      inputSchema: {
        type: "object",
        properties: {
          filepath: {
            type: "string",
            description: "Absolute path of the PDF file to convert",
          },
        },
        required: ["filepath"],
      },
    });
  • src/server.ts:31-35 (registration)
    Tool registration via the list tools handler, which exposes all tools from tools.ts including 'pdf-to-markdown'.
    server.setRequestHandler(ListToolsRequestSchema, async () => {
      return {
        tools: Object.values(tools),
      };
    });
  • Core helper method that performs the file-to-markdown conversion using an external 'markitdown' executable, used by the pdf-to-markdown handler.
    static async toMarkdown({
      filePath,
      url,
      projectRoot = path.resolve(__dirname, ".."),
      uvPath = "~/.local/bin/uv",
    }: {
      filePath?: string;
      url?: string;
      projectRoot?: string;
      uvPath?: string;
    }): Promise<MarkdownResult> {
      try {
        let inputPath: string;
        let isTemporary = false;
    
        if (url) {
          const response = await fetch(url);
          const content = await response.text();
          inputPath = await this.saveToTempFile(content);
          isTemporary = true;
        } else if (filePath) {
          inputPath = filePath;
        } else {
          throw new Error("Either filePath or url must be provided");
        }
    
        const text = await this._markitdown(inputPath, projectRoot, uvPath);
        const outputPath = await this.saveToTempFile(text);
    
        if (isTemporary) {
          fs.unlinkSync(inputPath);
        }
    
        return { path: outputPath, text };
      } catch (e: unknown) {
        if (e instanceof Error) {
          throw new Error(`Error processing to Markdown: ${e.message}`);
        } else {
          throw new Error("Error processing to Markdown: Unknown error occurred");
        }
      }
    }
  • Private helper that executes the 'markitdown' tool on the input file to generate markdown content.
    private static async _markitdown(
      filePath: string,
      projectRoot: string,
      uvPath: string,
    ): Promise<string> {
      const venvPath = path.join(projectRoot, ".venv");
      const markitdownPath = path.join(venvPath, "Scripts", "markitdown.exe");
    
      if (!fs.existsSync(markitdownPath)) {
        throw new Error("markitdown executable not found");
      }
    
      const { stdout, stderr } = await execAsync(
        `${venvPath}\\Scripts\\activate.bat && ${markitdownPath} "${filePath}"`,
      );
    
      if (stderr) {
        throw new Error(`Error executing command: ${stderr}`);
      }
    
      return stdout;
    }
Behavior2/5

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

No annotations are provided, so the description carries the full burden of behavioral disclosure. It states the conversion action but doesn't mention potential limitations (e.g., formatting accuracy, large file handling, error conditions), output details, or side effects. For a tool with zero annotation coverage, this leaves significant gaps in understanding how it behaves.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness5/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

The description is a single, efficient sentence with zero wasted words. It's front-loaded with the core action and resource, making it immediately understandable. This is an excellent example of conciseness in tool descriptions.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness2/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

Given the lack of annotations and output schema, the description is incomplete for a file conversion tool. It doesn't address output format details, error handling, or performance considerations, which are crucial for an agent to use it effectively. The simplicity of one parameter doesn't compensate for these omissions.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters3/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

Schema description coverage is 100%, with the single parameter 'filepath' fully documented in the schema as 'Absolute path of the PDF file to convert'. The description adds no additional parameter semantics beyond implying PDF file input, so it meets the baseline for high schema coverage without compensating value.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose4/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

The description clearly states the verb 'convert' and the resource 'PDF file to markdown', making the purpose unambiguous. It doesn't explicitly distinguish from siblings like 'docx-to-markdown' or 'pptx-to-markdown', but the PDF specificity is inherent. This is clear but lacks explicit sibling differentiation.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines2/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

The description provides no guidance on when to use this tool versus alternatives. With siblings like 'docx-to-markdown' and 'webpage-to-markdown', there's no indication of prerequisites, file format requirements, or comparative use cases. It's a basic statement of function without contextual usage advice.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

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