tracked-changes

Apply tracked changes to Word documents by editing OOXML markup directly.

Updated Feb 16, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/travis-burmaster/agentbox --skill tracked-changes-travis-burmaster
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: tracked-changes
Source: https://github.com/travis-burmaster/agentbox/tree/main/examples/llm-proxy-gitagent/workspace/skills/tracked-changes
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/travis-burmaster/agentbox --skill tracked-changes-travis-burmaster

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve? Applying attorney redlines to Word documents normally requires opening Microsoft Word and manually accepting or inserting edits, which is slow and risks losing formatting or prior tracked changes. This Skill inserts real tracked changes directly into the .docx XML, attributed to the correct attorney, without opening any application. ## Core Features & Use Cases - XML-Level Redlining: Inserts <w:ins> and <w:del> elements with attorney name and ISO 8601 dates directly into word/document.xml. - Formatting Preservation: Maintains existing styles, numbering, headers, footers, cross-references, and all prior tracked changes from earlier editing rounds. - Validation and Summary: Repackages a valid .docx, verifies XML well-formedness, and reports insertion/deletion counts and affected sections. - Use Case: After a contract review, apply a list of negotiation edits to a counterparty's draft agreement as tracked changes attributed to the reviewing attorney, producing a redline ready to send back. ## Quick Start Apply these contract edits as tracked changes to the attached draft-agreement.docx, attributed to attorney Jane Smith with today's date.

Frequently Asked Questions about tracked-changes

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

FAQPage Schema
How do I add tracked changes to a Word document programmatically?

Unzip the .docx file, edit word/document.xml to wrap deleted text in <w:del> elements and new text in <w:ins> elements with w:author and w:date attributes, then repackage the archive. The result opens in Word as genuine tracked changes.

How to redline a contract without Microsoft Word?

A .docx file is a ZIP archive of XML files, so edits can be applied by parsing and modifying the XML directly. This Skill inserts tracked changes at the XML level, preserving formatting and requiring no Word installation.

Does editing .docx XML preserve existing tracked changes?

Yes, provided the existing <w:ins> and <w:del> elements are left untouched. This Skill explicitly never modifies or removes prior tracked changes and preserves styles, numbering, headers, footers, and cross-references.

What date and author format do Word tracked changes require?

Word tracked changes use the w:author attribute for the reviewer name and w:date in ISO 8601 format. The attorney's actual name should be used rather than a generic placeholder so attribution is correct in Word.

What are the risks of editing docx XML directly?

Malformed XML produces a corrupt file that Word cannot open, and complex documents with tables, images, or embedded objects carry higher risk. Always work on a copy, verify XML well-formedness, and flag complex formatting before proceeding.