---
name: kb-prepare-batch-999163587b11
description: Stage source files into library/raw/, converting non-markdown formats via markitdown (PDF/DOCX/PPTX/XLSX/HTML/CSV) or pandoc (TeX/EPUB/RST/ORG). Adds provenance frontmatter. No agent dispatch.
disable-model-invocation: false
argument-hint: "[--copy|--move] [--from <manifest>] [files...] [--overwrite] [--force-pandoc|--force-markitdown]"
---

# Prepare Batch for Ingestion

Stage source files into `library/raw/`, converting non-markdown formats. First stage of the two-stage batch workflow: **prepare** (this skill) then **ingest** (`kb-ingest-batch`). No agent invoked.

## Arguments

| Argument | Description |
|---|---|
| `files...` | Source file paths |
| `--from <manifest>` | File with one path per line |
| `--copy` | Leave source files in place (default) |
| `--move` | Move source files into raw/ |
| `--overwrite` | Allow re-conversion of already-staged files |
| `--force-markitdown` | Use markitdown for all files |
| `--force-pandoc` | Use pandoc for all files |

## Format routing

| Extension | Converter |
|---|---|
| `.md` | Pass-through |
| `.pdf`, `.docx`, `.pptx`, `.xlsx`, `.html`, `.csv` | `markitdown` |
| `.tex`, `.epub`, `.rst`, `.org` | `pandoc` |
| Anything else | Error per file; rest of batch continues |

## Preflight

1. Check `markitdown --help` — warn if absent
2. Check `pandoc --version` — warn if absent
3. If only `.md` files: proceed without converters

## Steps

### 1. Resolve configuration

Read CLAUDE.md `[Knowledge Base]` section to extract `library_path` (default `library/`). Target is `<library_path>/raw/`.

### 2. Run kb_prepare_batch.py

```bash
python3 -c "
import sys, os, importlib.util
PLUGIN_ROOT = os.environ.get('CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT', '')
SCRIPTS = os.path.join(PLUGIN_ROOT, 'scripts')
INIT = os.path.join(SCRIPTS, '__init__.py')
if os.path.isfile(INIT) and 'sdlc_knowledge_base_scripts' not in sys.modules:
    spec = importlib.util.spec_from_file_location(
        'sdlc_knowledge_base_scripts', INIT,
        submodule_search_locations=[SCRIPTS])
    if spec and spec.loader:
        mod = importlib.util.module_from_spec(spec)
        sys.modules['sdlc_knowledge_base_scripts'] = mod
        spec.loader.exec_module(mod)
from sdlc_knowledge_base_scripts.kb_prepare_batch import main
args = ['--target-dir', '<raw_dir>']
# Add --copy or --move (default: --copy)
# Add source file paths
# Add --from <manifest> if passed
# Add --overwrite if passed
# Add --force-markitdown or --force-pandoc if passed
sys.exit(main(args))
"
```

### 3. Report results

```
Batch preparation complete:
  Staged:  12
  Skipped:  0
  Failed:   1

Issues:
  - presentation.key: unsupported extension '.key'
```

## Next steps

```
/sdlc-knowledge-base:kb-ingest-batch
```


---
Source attribution: SteveGJones
Original project: https://github.com/SteveGJones/ai-first-sdlc-practices/blob/631a626ff044f069e445d40777a0951e491a8132/plugins/sdlc-knowledge-base/skills/kb-prepare-batch/SKILL.md
License: MIT
License information: https://opensource.org/license/mit
Original upstream instructions; downloaded from Dave AI.

## Upstream license notice

MIT License

Copyright (c) 2024 Steve Jones

Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining a copy
of this software and associated documentation files (the "Software"), to deal
in the Software without restriction, including without limitation the rights
to use, copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense, and/or sell
copies of the Software, and to permit persons to whom the Software is
furnished to do so, subject to the following conditions:

The above copyright notice and this permission notice shall be included in all
copies or substantial portions of the Software.

THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED,
INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A
PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHORS OR
COPYRIGHT HOLDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES OR OTHER LIABILITY, WHETHER
IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING FROM, OUT OF OR IN
CONNECTION WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN THE SOFTWARE.



# Dave AI resource metadata

Creator / publisher: SteveGJones
Original project: https://github.com/SteveGJones/ai-first-sdlc-practices/blob/631a626ff044f069e445d40777a0951e491a8132/plugins/sdlc-knowledge-base/skills/kb-prepare-batch/SKILL.md
Attribution basis: Source repository record

Fields of work: Content & Media, Data & Analytics, Project & Program Management
Roles: Data Analyst, Project Manager, Technical Writer
Specialties: API
Tools: Markitdown, Pandoc
Country applicability: Country not specified
Classification basis: Source catalog labels
Instruction SHA-256: 1bbcafea0530ee71daf2d00d38b1bd71c71bf0b861839dc64571a6a6342eda75