Datasheet Reader
- 1.6k installs
- 410 repo stars
- Updated August 5, 2026
- diodeinc/pcb
datasheet-reader converts technical PDFs to markdown via pcb scan for agent analysis.
About
The datasheet-reader skill routes agents through the pcb CLI to convert datasheets and technical PDFs into readable markdown before analysis. Workflow accepts a local .pdf path or http(s) URL, runs pcb scan on the input, captures the stdout markdown path, then reads that generated file rather than parsing the raw PDF directly. Image links in the markdown are followed only when figures, diagrams, or tables matter to the task. KiCad symbol workflows can resolve a Datasheet property on .kicad_sym files into the same scan path. Examples include pcb scan ./TPS54331.pdf and pcb scan on TI literature URLs. Agents should prefer the minimal invocation without optional flags unless a task explicitly requires them. If pcb scan fails, report the failure briefly and choose the best fallback. Use when users provide datasheet paths, technical PDF URLs, or KiCad symbols needing component documentation extraction.
- Runs pcb scan on local PDF paths or http(s) datasheet URLs.
- Treats stdout as the resolved markdown path for downstream reading.
- Reads generated markdown artifacts instead of raw PDF parsing.
- Follows image links only when figures or tables are task-critical.
- Supports KiCad .kicad_sym Datasheet property resolution workflows.
Datasheet Reader by the numbers
- 1,638 all-time installs (skills.sh)
- +60 installs in the week ending Aug 5, 2026 (Skillselion tracking)
- Ranked #94 of 550 CLI & Terminal skills by installs in the Skillselion catalog
- Security screen: MEDIUM risk (skills.sh audit)
- Data as of Aug 5, 2026 (Skillselion catalog sync)
datasheet-reader capabilities & compatibility
- Capabilities
- pdf to markdown conversion · url datasheet fetch · kicad property resolution · figure link follow up
- Use cases
- documentation · research
npx skills add https://github.com/diodeinc/pcb --skill datasheet-readerAdd your badge
Show developers this skill is listed on Skillselion. Paste this into your README.
| Installs | 1.6k |
|---|---|
| repo stars | ★ 410 |
| Security audit | 0 / 3 scanners passed |
| Last updated | August 5, 2026 |
| Repository | diodeinc/pcb ↗ |
How do agents read and extract information from hardware datasheets reliably?
Read datasheets and technical PDFs via pcb scan, then work from the generated markdown artifact instead of raw PDFs.
Who is it for?
Hardware tasks needing datasheet summaries, pinouts, or KiCad symbol documentation.
Skip if: Non-PDF documents or workflows without the pcb CLI available.
When should I use this skill?
User gives a PDF datasheet path, document URL, or KiCad symbol with a Datasheet property.
What you get
A markdown artifact path agents can read with linked figures when needed.
- parsed datasheet markdown file
- extracted component specifications
By the numbers
- Accepts local `.pdf` paths and `http(s)` datasheet URLs as input
- Outputs generated `.md` markdown via `pcb scan` stdout
Files
Datasheet Reader
Use this skill when a task depends on a datasheet or technical PDF.
- Input: local
.pdfpath orhttp(s)URL - Command:
pcb scan <input> - Output: stdout is the resolved markdown path
- Next step: read the markdown file, not the raw PDF
- Images are linked from the markdown
Workflow
1. Run pcb scan /path/to/file.pdf or pcb scan https://.... 2. Capture the printed markdown path. 3. Read the markdown file and work from that artifact. 4. Follow image links only if the task depends on figures, diagrams, or tables.
Examples
pcb scan ./TPS54331.pdf
pcb scan https://www.ti.com/lit/gpn/tca9554Notes
- Prefer the minimal invocation above. Do not depend on optional flags unless a task explicitly requires them.
- If
pcb scanfails, report the failure briefly and then choose the best fallback.
Related skills
Lark SharedWire Feishu/Lark Open Platform auth, tokens, and shared API helpers into agent-built bots and internal tools.514k
Runcomfy CliLet their coding agent call any RunComfy model from the terminal or scripts without managing separate SDKs.298k30
Skills CliDiscover, install, update, and manage reusable agent capabilities from the open Skillselion ecosystem directly inside their coding agent.270k71TzstCreate, extract, list, and script `.tzst` / `.tar.zst` archives from the terminal with the right compression, streaming, and conflict flags.267k71XdropPull files from an Xdrop share URL, decrypt them locally, and land outputs in a chosen directory with optional JSON for automation.266k71
WizardAuthor interactive bash setup wizards that open URLs, capture secrets, write .env upserts, and set GitHub Actions secrets step by step.104k202kHow it compares
Use datasheet-reader for PCB and KiCad datasheet workflows with the pcb CLI; use generic PDF skills when no hardware toolchain is involved.
FAQ
What command converts a datasheet?
pcb scan <local-path-or-url>; stdout prints the generated markdown file path.
Should agents read the PDF directly?
No. Read the markdown file pcb scan produces; follow image links only if figures matter.
What inputs are supported?
Local .pdf files and http(s) URLs such as TI literature links.
Is Datasheet Reader safe to install?
skills.sh reports 0 of 3 security scanners passed. Review the Security Audits panel on this page before installing in production.