spotlight

Name: spotlight
Availability: InStock
Author: n0rvyn

Search local files via macOS Spotlight and extract readable text.

1|Updated Feb 15, 2026

Search Tags:#macos #spotlight #knowledge-base #local-files #text-extraction #document-search

Ready to run

npx skills add https://github.com/n0rvyn/indie-toolkit --skill spotlight-n0rvyn

💬 Prompt for ChatGPT / Claude Chat▼

Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: spotlight
Source: https://github.com/n0rvyn/indie-toolkit/tree/main/mactools/skills/spotlight
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/n0rvyn/indie-toolkit --skill spotlight-n0rvyn

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

💡 This Skill requires openpyxl, and includes scripts (resource) components.

What problem does it solve?

Locating and reading content from scattered local documents can be slow and tedious. This Skill speeds up discovery and private knowledge assembly by using macOS Spotlight to find files and extract readable text across common formats.

Core Features & Use Cases

Spotlight-driven search across local documents (PDF, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Pages, Markdown, and more) with path and modification date metadata.
Text extraction for multiple formats (textutil for Office formats, pdftotext for PDFs, openpyxl for XLSX, with a robust fallback when needed).
Quick reading and summarization of found content to support private knowledge management and offline research.

Quick Start

Run the Spotlight tool to search for a keyword in local documents.

Frequently Asked Questions about spotlight

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema

How do I search local files and extract text on macOS?▼

To search local files and extract text on macOS, this Skill uses Spotlight queries to locate documents and applies format-specific extractors like textutil and pdftotext to deliver readable content. It supports formats including PDF, Word, Excel, and Markdown.

Can I use Spotlight to find content inside PDF and Word documents?▼

Yes, you can use Spotlight to find content inside PDF and Word documents. This Skill leverages Spotlight queries to search local files, then uses pdftotext for PDFs and textutil for Office formats to extract readable text from the discovered content.

Does this local document search tool require any specific dependencies?▼

This local document search tool requires the openpyxl dependency to extract text from XLSX files. It also relies on native macOS utilities like textutil and pdftotext for processing other formats, with a robust fallback for unsupported files.

What file formats are supported for text extraction from local files?▼

Supported file formats for text extraction include PDF, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Pages, and Markdown. The tool uses format-specific extractors like openpyxl for XLSX files and textutil for Office formats to ensure readable text output.

What is the best way to read content from scattered local documents?▼

The best way to read content from scattered local documents is using Spotlight-driven search combined with automated text extraction. This approach quickly locates files across various formats and presents results with file path, type, and modification date metadata.

Are there limitations when extracting text from local files on macOS?▼

Limitations when extracting text from local files depend on the availability of macOS utilities like textutil and pdftotext. If a specific format lacks a dedicated extractor, the tool uses a robust fallback to attempt text retrieval, but results may vary.