databricks-unstructured-pdf-generation
Generate PDF documents from HTML and upload to Unity Catalog volumes. Use for creating test PDFs, demo documents, reports, or evaluation datasets.
Best use case
databricks-unstructured-pdf-generation is best used when you need a repeatable AI agent workflow instead of a one-off prompt.
Generate PDF documents from HTML and upload to Unity Catalog volumes. Use for creating test PDFs, demo documents, reports, or evaluation datasets.
Teams using databricks-unstructured-pdf-generation should expect a more consistent output, faster repeated execution, less prompt rewriting.
When to use this skill
- You want a reusable workflow that can be run more than once with consistent structure.
When not to use this skill
- You only need a quick one-off answer and do not need a reusable workflow.
- You cannot install or maintain the underlying files, dependencies, or repository context.
Installation
Claude Code / Cursor / Codex
Manual Installation
- Download SKILL.md from GitHub
- Place it in
.claude/skills/databricks-unstructured-pdf-generation/SKILL.mdinside your project - Restart your AI agent — it will auto-discover the skill
How databricks-unstructured-pdf-generation Compares
| Feature / Agent | databricks-unstructured-pdf-generation | Standard Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Platform Support | Not specified | Limited / Varies |
| Context Awareness | High | Baseline |
| Installation Complexity | Unknown | N/A |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does this skill do?
Generate PDF documents from HTML and upload to Unity Catalog volumes. Use for creating test PDFs, demo documents, reports, or evaluation datasets.
Where can I find the source code?
You can find the source code on GitHub using the link provided at the top of the page.
SKILL.md Source
# PDF Generation from HTML
Convert HTML content to PDF documents and upload them to Unity Catalog Volumes.
## Overview
The `generate_and_upload_pdf` MCP tool converts HTML to PDF and uploads to a Unity Catalog Volume. You (the LLM) generate the HTML content, and the tool handles conversion and upload.
## Tool Signature
```
generate_and_upload_pdf(
html_content: str, # Complete HTML document
filename: str, # PDF filename (e.g., "report.pdf")
catalog: str, # Unity Catalog name
schema: str, # Schema name
volume: str = "raw_data", # Volume name (default: "raw_data")
folder: str = None, # Optional subfolder
)
```
**Returns:**
```json
{
"success": true,
"volume_path": "/Volumes/catalog/schema/volume/filename.pdf",
"error": null
}
```
## Quick Start
Generate a simple PDF:
```
generate_and_upload_pdf(
html_content='''<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<style>
body { font-family: Arial, sans-serif; margin: 40px; }
h1 { color: #1a73e8; border-bottom: 2px solid #1a73e8; padding-bottom: 10px; }
.section { margin: 20px 0; }
</style>
</head>
<body>
<h1>Quarterly Report Q1 2024</h1>
<div class="section">
<h2>Executive Summary</h2>
<p>Revenue increased 15% year-over-year...</p>
</div>
</body>
</html>''',
filename="q1_report.pdf",
catalog="my_catalog",
schema="my_schema"
)
```
## Performance: Generate Multiple PDFs in Parallel
**IMPORTANT**: PDF generation and upload can take 2-5 seconds per document. When generating multiple PDFs, **call the tool in parallel** to maximize throughput.
### Example: Generate 5 PDFs in Parallel
Make 5 simultaneous `generate_and_upload_pdf` calls:
```
# Call 1
generate_and_upload_pdf(
html_content="<html>...Employee Handbook content...</html>",
filename="employee_handbook.pdf",
catalog="hr_catalog", schema="policies", folder="2024"
)
# Call 2 (parallel)
generate_and_upload_pdf(
html_content="<html>...Leave Policy content...</html>",
filename="leave_policy.pdf",
catalog="hr_catalog", schema="policies", folder="2024"
)
# Call 3 (parallel)
generate_and_upload_pdf(
html_content="<html>...Code of Conduct content...</html>",
filename="code_of_conduct.pdf",
catalog="hr_catalog", schema="policies", folder="2024"
)
# Call 4 (parallel)
generate_and_upload_pdf(
html_content="<html>...Benefits Guide content...</html>",
filename="benefits_guide.pdf",
catalog="hr_catalog", schema="policies", folder="2024"
)
# Call 5 (parallel)
generate_and_upload_pdf(
html_content="<html>...Remote Work Policy content...</html>",
filename="remote_work_policy.pdf",
catalog="hr_catalog", schema="policies", folder="2024"
)
```
By calling these in parallel (not sequentially), 5 PDFs that would take 15-25 seconds sequentially complete in 3-5 seconds total.
## HTML Best Practices
### Use Complete HTML5 Structure
Always include the full HTML structure:
```html
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<style>
/* Your CSS here */
</style>
</head>
<body>
<!-- Your content here -->
</body>
</html>
```
### CSS Features Supported
PlutoPrint supports modern CSS3:
- Flexbox and Grid layouts
- CSS variables (`--var-name`)
- Web fonts (system fonts recommended)
- Colors, backgrounds, borders
- Tables with styling
### CSS to Avoid
- Animations and transitions (static PDF)
- Interactive elements (forms, hover effects)
- External resources (images via URL) - use embedded base64 if needed
### Professional Document Template
```html
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<style>
:root {
--primary: #1a73e8;
--text: #202124;
--gray: #5f6368;
}
body {
font-family: 'Segoe UI', Arial, sans-serif;
margin: 50px;
color: var(--text);
line-height: 1.6;
}
h1 {
color: var(--primary);
border-bottom: 3px solid var(--primary);
padding-bottom: 15px;
}
h2 { color: var(--text); margin-top: 30px; }
.highlight {
background: #e8f0fe;
padding: 15px;
border-left: 4px solid var(--primary);
margin: 20px 0;
}
table {
width: 100%;
border-collapse: collapse;
margin: 20px 0;
}
th, td {
border: 1px solid #dadce0;
padding: 12px;
text-align: left;
}
th { background: #f1f3f4; }
.footer {
margin-top: 50px;
padding-top: 20px;
border-top: 1px solid #dadce0;
color: var(--gray);
font-size: 0.9em;
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<h1>Document Title</h1>
<h2>Section 1</h2>
<p>Content here...</p>
<div class="highlight">
<strong>Important:</strong> Key information highlighted here.
</div>
<h2>Data Table</h2>
<table>
<tr><th>Column 1</th><th>Column 2</th><th>Column 3</th></tr>
<tr><td>Data</td><td>Data</td><td>Data</td></tr>
</table>
<div class="footer">
Generated on 2024-01-15 | Confidential
</div>
</body>
</html>
```
## Common Patterns
### Pattern 1: Technical Documentation
Generate API documentation, user guides, or technical specs:
```
generate_and_upload_pdf(
html_content='''<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head><style>
body { font-family: monospace; margin: 40px; }
code { background: #f4f4f4; padding: 2px 6px; }
pre { background: #f4f4f4; padding: 15px; overflow-x: auto; }
.endpoint { background: #e3f2fd; padding: 10px; margin: 10px 0; }
</style></head>
<body>
<h1>API Reference</h1>
<div class="endpoint">
<code>GET /api/v1/users</code>
<p>Returns a list of all users.</p>
</div>
<h2>Request Headers</h2>
<pre>Authorization: Bearer {token}
Content-Type: application/json</pre>
</body>
</html>''',
filename="api_reference.pdf",
catalog="docs_catalog",
schema="api_docs"
)
```
### Pattern 2: Business Reports
```
generate_and_upload_pdf(
html_content='''<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head><style>
body { font-family: Georgia, serif; margin: 50px; }
.metric { display: inline-block; text-align: center; margin: 20px; }
.metric-value { font-size: 2em; color: #1a73e8; }
.metric-label { color: #666; }
</style></head>
<body>
<h1>Q1 2024 Performance Report</h1>
<div class="metric">
<div class="metric-value">$2.4M</div>
<div class="metric-label">Revenue</div>
</div>
<div class="metric">
<div class="metric-value">+15%</div>
<div class="metric-label">Growth</div>
</div>
</body>
</html>''',
filename="q1_2024_report.pdf",
catalog="finance",
schema="reports",
folder="quarterly"
)
```
### Pattern 3: HR Policies
```
generate_and_upload_pdf(
html_content='''<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head><style>
body { font-family: Arial; margin: 40px; line-height: 1.8; }
.policy-section { margin: 30px 0; }
.important { background: #fff3e0; padding: 15px; border-radius: 5px; }
</style></head>
<body>
<h1>Employee Leave Policy</h1>
<p><em>Effective: January 1, 2024</em></p>
<div class="policy-section">
<h2>1. Annual Leave</h2>
<p>All full-time employees are entitled to 20 days of paid annual leave per calendar year.</p>
</div>
<div class="important">
<strong>Note:</strong> Leave requests must be submitted at least 2 weeks in advance.
</div>
</body>
</html>''',
filename="leave_policy.pdf",
catalog="hr_catalog",
schema="policies"
)
```
## Workflow for Multiple Documents
When asked to generate multiple PDFs:
1. **Plan the documents**: Determine titles, content structure for each
2. **Generate HTML for each**: Create complete HTML documents
3. **Call tool in parallel**: Make multiple simultaneous `generate_and_upload_pdf` calls
4. **Report results**: Summarize successful uploads and any errors
## Prerequisites
- Unity Catalog schema must exist
- Volume must exist (default: `raw_data`)
- User must have WRITE permission on the volume
## Troubleshooting
| Issue | Solution |
|-------|----------|
| "Volume does not exist" | Create the volume first or use an existing one |
| "Schema does not exist" | Create the schema or check the name |
| PDF looks wrong | Check HTML/CSS syntax, use supported CSS features |
| Slow generation | Call multiple PDFs in parallel, not sequentially |Related Skills
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