Plaintext to Markdown skill for Claude Code: convert text docs to .md

A prompt-style skill that makes Claude convert a plain-text document to markdown, from your instructions, named options or a guide file.

Installs: 9K; on skills.sh
Stars: 40.7K; on GitHub
Updated: Oct 2026; last repo commit

convert-plaintext-to-md makes Claude act as a documentation specialist and turn a plain-text file into markdown. You pass the file plus optional instructions, a guide file, a target platform, or options such as --header, --pattern and --stop. SKILL.md says natural language variations are acceptable, so you do not need the exact flag syntax.

If FILE.md does not exist it copies FILE to FILE.md and converts the copy. If it exists, SKILL.md treats its content as the text to convert. The skill bundles no scripts and names no API key.

Good for

Anyone with old README, BUGS or CHANGES text files that need markdown
Writers who want the same heading style across several converted files
Developers cleaning up docs before publishing to GitHub or GitLab

Install convert-plaintext-to-md

Claude Code

Copy this prompt.

Install the convert-plaintext-to-md skill in Claude Code. Run this command:

npx skills add https://github.com/github/awesome-copilot --skill convert-plaintext-to-md

Then check that it loaded and tell me how to use it.

2
Paste it into Claude Code. It shows the change and asks before running it.

Requires Node.js.

The skills CLI and folder routes copy this one skill folder.

From the vendor's docs. Source.

What's in the skill

When it loads

Convert a text-based document to markdown following instructions from prompt, or if a documented option is passed, follow the instructions for that option.

Sections in SKILL.md

Current Role
Conversion Methods
When Using a Reference File
Usage
Parameters
Options
Predefined Instructions
Usage Example
Considerations
Patterns
Goal
Reference

Key facts

Author: Not stated in SKILL.md; published in GitHub's awesome-copilot repo
License: MIT (repo LICENSE, Copyright GitHub, Inc.)
Installs on skills.sh: 8,957 as of 2026-11-02
GitHub stars: 40,666 for the whole awesome-copilot repo, 2026-11-02
Last change to this skill: 2026-10-30
What is inside: 1 file: SKILL.md
skills.sh audits: Gen Agent Trust Hub pass, Socket pass, Snyk pass

What it includes

Converts the file by following the instructions you pass with the request.
Explicit instructions
Follows the rules of a named option such as --header or finalize.
Documented options
Copies the patterns of a markdown file you already converted.
Add guide plus a converted file. SKILL.md says to apply the same formatting patterns, structure and conventions, and to follow any exclusions you give for the current file.
Try: “Convert file.md to markdown and use CODE.md as the guide for its formatting.”
Reference file (guide)
Copies FILE to FILE.md when no .md exists, then converts the copy.
If FILE.md already exists, SKILL.md says its content is treated as the plain text to convert.
Write · FILE.md copy step
Trims extra spaces, odd indentation and sloppy formatting after the conversion.
Write · finalize
Targets GitHub (default), StackOverflow, VS Code, GitLab or CommonMark rendering.
platform=
Adds header tags at level 1 to 4, or picks levels from the content structure.
--header [1-4]
Finds a pattern in a selection, a prompt or the file and applies it to matching sections.
-p, --pattern
Stops the conversion at a line number or at the end of the file.
-s, --stop
Removes leading numbers from headers.
pre=rm-head-digits
Moves headers from level x to level y.
pre=mv-head-level(x, y)
Reduces the indentation of paragraphs or raw text by x.
pre=rm-indent(x)
Fetches 3 markdown guides when an option is unclear.
SKILL.md tells the agent to fetch the GitHub, markdownguide.org and Microsoft Learn pages in its Reference section when parameters or options are unclear.
Network · Reference URLs

From the official docs

Permissions

Low risk

It edits text files in your project, so work on a committed copy and read the diff before you keep the result.

What it can do

Read your data
Create and change things
Delete things
Read-only mode

Watch out for

It edits an existing .md file in place
If FILE.md already exists, SKILL.md treats its content as the text to convert. Commit it first so you can review the diff. github.com
It can fetch three documentation pages
When options are unclear, SKILL.md tells the agent to fetch the GitHub, markdownguide.org and Microsoft Learn pages in its Reference section. github.com
Third-party collection
The awesome-copilot README says its customizations come from third-party developers and asks you to inspect them before installing. github.com

Technical details

Talks to	docs.github.com. www.markdownguide.org. learn.microsoft.com
Scopes	Copies a text file to FILE.md and edits the markdown file in your project

Questions

What does convert-plaintext-to-md do?

It makes Claude convert a plain-text or generic text document to proper markdown. It keeps the technical content and fixes structure: headers, lists, code blocks and indentation.

How do I use it?

Name the file and say what you want, for example "Convert BUGS to markdown and make the 1.x.x lines level 3 headers". SKILL.md shows a slash command with flags, and says natural language variations are acceptable.

How do I install it in Claude Code or Codex?

Use the install box above. It copies this one skill folder, or you can use the gh skills install command the awesome-copilot index lists.

Will it change my original file?

It edits FILE.md. If that file already exists, SKILL.md says its content is treated as the text to convert, so the file is edited in place. Commit or copy it first if you want a way back.

What are the platform options?

The skill lists five: GitHub (the default), StackOverflow, VS Code, GitLab and CommonMark. Pass platform= with one of them so the markdown suits that renderer.

Does it need an API key?

SKILL.md names no API key, and the folder holds only SKILL.md. When an option is unclear it tells the agent to fetch 3 public markdown guides.

Is it safe?

It edits and copies text files in your project and can fetch three public documentation pages. Our advice: work on a committed copy and read the diff before you keep the result.

Information

updated Nov 2, 2026

Repository: github/awesome-copilot
Folder: skills/convert-plaintext-to-md

github/awesome-copilot skills.sh

Sources

Docs, issue trackers and discussions this page is built from.

Show all 5

awesome-copilot skills index · github.com
convert-plaintext-to-md SKILL.md · github.com
awesome-copilot LICENSE · github.com
skills.sh listing · skills.sh
awesome-copilot README · github.com