When should I still use the standard Read tool for Markdown?

You should use the standard Read tool if you need the entire content of the file or if you intend to edit the file, as the Edit tool requires a full prior Read to function correctly.

How do I navigate a file using mdsel?

First, perform an index operation on the file to see the available headers. Then, use a selector like 'h2.4' to fetch only that specific heading and its associated content.

Does mdsel support wildcard selectors?

No, you should never use the '*' wildcard selector with mdsel. If you need the whole document, it is more efficient to use the standard Read tool.

Why use mdsel instead of the standard Read tool?

mdsel is designed to save tokens and preserve your context window. It allows the AI to index a file's structure and only read the specific sections you need, rather than loading thousands of unnecessary lines.

Progressive Markdown Reader

Name: Progressive Markdown Reader
Author: dabstractor

bydabstractor

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Content Management

Navigates and reads specific sections of Markdown documentation to minimize token usage and improve context efficiency.

The mdsel skill enables Claude to interact with Markdown files using a progressive disclosure approach, allowing for surgical extraction of information rather than reading entire documents. By indexing headers and selecting specific sections through hierarchical selectors, it significantly reduces token consumption and noise when navigating large READMEs or technical documentation. This is particularly useful for complex projects where only specific sub-sections of documentation are relevant to the current task, ensuring the AI stays focused on the most pertinent information.

Key Features

01Significant token savings for large documentation files

02Seamless integration with standard Read tools for full-file access

034 GitHub stars

04Header-based indexing for precise navigation

05Automatic triggering for .md files and READMEs

06Selective reading via hierarchical selectors (e.g., h2.4, h3.6)

Use Cases

01Scanning technical guides for specific configuration blocks without loading the entire file

02Navigating API endpoint definitions in massive documentation folders

03Extracting specific installation steps from long project READMEs

What are Skills?·How to Install

Install with 🐟 Skill.Fish

npx skillfish add dabstractor/mdsel-skill mdsel

For use in Claude.ai and ChatGPT

Download Skill