home / skills / steveclarke / dotfiles / print

print skill

safe

This skill prints files on Mac or Linux with sensible defaults, including duplex and black-and-white, and handles markdown via md-to-pdf conversion.

npx playbooks add skill steveclarke/dotfiles --skill print

Review the files below or copy the command above to add this skill to your agents.

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SKILL.md

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---
name: print
description: Print files on Mac or Linux using the `lp` command with sensible defaults (double-sided, black & white). Supports PDF, markdown (via md-to-pdf conversion), and common print options like copies, page ranges, color, and printer selection.
---

# Print

Print files on Mac or Linux using the `lp` command with sensible defaults.

## Printing Markdown

To print a markdown file, first convert it to PDF using the `/md-to-pdf` skill:

```bash
~/.claude/skills/md-to-pdf/scripts/md-to-pdf.mjs doc.md
~/.claude/skills/print/scripts/print doc.pdf
rm doc.pdf  # Delete if PDF was just for printing
```

The `/md-to-pdf` skill handles Mermaid diagrams, syntax highlighting, and page numbers.

## Defaults

| Setting | Default | Rationale |
|---------|---------|-----------|
| **Duplex** | Double-sided (long-edge) | Save paper |
| **Color** | Black & white | Save toner on color printers |

These defaults can be overridden per-request.

## Usage

### Quick Print (uses system default printer)

```bash
# Print a file with defaults (double-sided, b&w)
lp -o sides=two-sided-long-edge -o ColorModel=Gray <file>

# Or use the helper script
~/.claude/skills/print/scripts/print <file>
```

### Common Options

| Option | Flag | Example |
|--------|------|---------|
| Printer | `-d <name>` | `-d HP_LaserJet_4001` |
| Copies | `-n <count>` | `-n 3` |
| Pages | `-P <range>` | `-P 1-5` or `-P 1,3,7` |
| Single-sided | `-o sides=one-sided` | Override duplex |
| Color | `-o ColorModel=Color` | Override b&w |
| Landscape | `-o landscape` | Rotate 90° |
| Fit to page | `-o fit-to-page` | Scale to fit |

### List Available Printers

```bash
lpstat -p -d
```

Shows all printers and the system default (marked with `system default destination:`).

### Check Print Queue

```bash
lpstat -o          # Show pending jobs
lpstat -W completed # Show completed jobs
```

### Cancel a Job

```bash
cancel <job-id>    # e.g., cancel HP_LaserJet_4001-852
cancel -a          # Cancel all jobs
```

## Helper Script

The `print` script at `~/.claude/skills/print/scripts/print` wraps `lp` with the defaults:

```bash
# Basic usage
print document.pdf

# Specify printer
print document.pdf -d Brother_HL_L3280CDW_series

# Multiple copies
print document.pdf -n 3

# Single-sided color
print document.pdf --single-sided --color

# Page range
print document.pdf -P 1-5
```

Run `print --help` for all options.

## Printer-Specific Notes

### HP LaserJet 4001
- Supports duplex
- Monochrome only (no color option needed)
- Steve's default printer

### Brother HL-L3280CDW
- Color laser
- Supports duplex
- Use `--color` to override b&w default

### Brother DCP-L2550DW
- Monochrome
- Supports duplex

## Troubleshooting

### "No such file or directory"
The printer name has changed. Run `lpstat -p` to see current names.

### Job stuck in queue
```bash
lpstat -o                    # Check status
cancel <job-id>              # Cancel stuck job
cupsenable <printer-name>    # Re-enable if disabled
```

### Duplex not working
Not all printers support duplex. Check printer capabilities:
```bash
lpoptions -p <printer-name> -l | grep -i sides
```

Overview

This skill provides a simple, consistent way to print files on macOS and Linux using the lp command with sensible defaults (double-sided, black & white). It includes a small helper script that wraps lp, handles common options, and integrates with an md-to-pdf converter for printing Markdown. The goal is reliable, repeatable printing across machines.

How this skill works

The helper script calls lp with default flags for duplex (two-sided long-edge) and grayscale ColorModel. It accepts standard lp options (printer selection, copies, page ranges) and additional toggles (single-sided, color, landscape, fit-to-page). For Markdown, the workflow converts MD to PDF via an md-to-pdf step and then prints the resulting PDF, optionally removing the temporary PDF after printing.

When to use it

Quickly print PDFs or converted Markdown files with consistent defaults across systems
Send multiple copies or specific page ranges without typing long lp flags
Override defaults per-job when you need color, single-sided, or landscape printing
Manage and inspect print queues and cancel stuck jobs
Standardize printing behavior on multiple computers

Best practices

Use the md-to-pdf conversion for Markdown to ensure diagrams, syntax highlighting, and page numbers render correctly
Check available printers with lpstat -p -d before specifying a printer name
Preview long or complex documents as PDF before printing to avoid wasted paper
Specify page ranges (-P) to limit printed pages when testing layout
Cancel stuck jobs with cancel <job-id> and re-enable printers with cupsenable if needed

Example use cases

Print a technical report PDF double-sided and grayscale with: print report.pdf
Convert and print a markdown note: md-to-pdf note.md && print note.pdf && rm note.pdf
Send 3 copies to a specific device: print slides.pdf -d Brother_HL_L3280CDW_series -n 3
Print only the first five pages for review: print draft.pdf -P 1-5
Override defaults to print in color single-sided: print image.pdf --color --single-sided

FAQ

How do I list available printers?

Run lpstat -p -d to show all printers and the system default.

My job is stuck in the queue. What should I do?

Use lpstat -o to inspect jobs, cancel <job-id> to remove a job, and cupsenable <printer-name> to re-enable a disabled printer.