Agent skill

Excel Heredoc Fallback

by HKUDS in HKUDS/OpenSpace

Create Excel files with openpyxl by falling back to shell-based Python heredoc when sandbox execution fails

MITAuto-check passedDocuments & Office

Install Excel Heredoc Fallback

skills CLI
$ npx skills add HKUDS/OpenSpace --skill excel-heredoc-fallback -a claude-code

Project install by default; add -g for ~/.claude/skills/.

GitHub CLI
$ gh skill install HKUDS/OpenSpace excel-heredoc-fallback --agent claude-code

Project scope by default; add --scope user for a personal install. Needs GitHub CLI 2.90.0 or later (public preview).

Manual copy
$ git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/HKUDS/OpenSpace.git skills-src && mkdir -p .claude/skills && cp -r skills-src/benchmarks/gdpval/skills/excel-heredoc-fallback .claude/skills/excel-heredoc-fallback && rm -rf skills-src

Use ~/.claude/skills/ instead of .claude/skills for a personal install. The folder must contain SKILL.md.

Claude Code skills documentation · loads skills from .claude/skills/

Facts

Skill name
excel-heredoc-fallback
GitHub stars
7.8k
Token cost
~1.6k tokens
SKILL.md length
410 words
Files
2
Skills in repo
199
Repo updated
First seen
Licence
MIT

At a glance

Create Excel files with openpyxl by falling back to shell-based Python heredoc when sandbox execution fails

  • Works in 10 steps: Attempt Sandbox Execution First → Detect Sandbox Failure → Fall Back to Shell Heredoc → …
  • Tasks that involve Excel spreadsheets
  • SKILL.md covers Overview, When to Use This Skill, Step-by-Step Instructions and Best Practices, plus 4 more sections
  • Calls python3 and pip

What it does

Excel Heredoc Fallback is an agent skill from HKUDS/OpenSpace. Create Excel files with openpyxl by falling back to shell-based Python heredoc when sandbox execution fails

Its SKILL.md is about 1.6k tokens, which your agent loads only when the skill is triggered. The skill folder holds 1 other file.

It sits in Documents & Office, covering Excel spreadsheets. It works with Microsoft Excel, Python and openpyxl. The repository describes itself as: "OpenSpace: The Skill Management Layer for AI Agents" -- https://open-space.cloud/. The licence is MIT.

When your agent uses it

  • Tasks that involve Excel spreadsheets

Example prompts

  • “/excel-heredoc-fallback”

Requirements

  • Python 3

Workflow steps

10 steps, taken from the step headings in SKILL.md.

  1. Attempt Sandbox Execution First
  2. Detect Sandbox Failure
  3. Fall Back to Shell Heredoc
  4. Use run_shell Tool
  5. Verify File Creation
  6. Use Single-Quoted Heredoc Delimiter
  7. Include Error Handling
  8. Print Confirmation Messages
  9. Use Absolute or Explicit Paths
  10. Keep Scripts Concise

What it can do on your machine

Read from SKILL.md and the folder at commit 3827781. It shows what the files ask for, not the result of running them.

  • Tool permissions

    Pre-approves nothing: there is no allowed-tools line, so your agent's usual permission prompts apply.

    From allowed-tools in the SKILL.md frontmatter.

  • Runs code

    Shell commands in SKILL.md call:

    • python3
    • pip

    From the folder's file list and the shell code blocks in SKILL.md.

  • Network

    No URLs in SKILL.md. Its commands use pip, which can reach the network depending on how they are called.

    From URLs in SKILL.md, links to its own repository left out.

  • Credentials

    Names no API keys, tokens, secrets or passwords.

    From names ending in _API_KEY, _TOKEN, _SECRET, _KEY or _PASSWORD in SKILL.md.

Context cost

Excel Heredoc Fallback loads about 1.6k tokens when it runs. Until then it costs about 33 tokens; SKILL.md has 410 words of instructions outside code blocks.

Always · name and description, kept in context so the agent knows when to use it
~33
When it runs · the whole SKILL.md, loaded when a task matches
~1.6k

Estimates: characters ÷ 4, the usual rule of thumb; real counts depend on the model's tokenizer. Scripts and assets cost tokens only if the agent reads them.

Safety

Auto-check passed

The automated check found no risky patterns in SKILL.md.

Automated static check — not a guarantee. Review scripts before installing. It scans the text of SKILL.md for risky patterns (piping downloads into a shell, reading credential files, hidden Unicode, destructive commands); files beside SKILL.md are not scanned.

SKILL.md

The full file from HKUDS/OpenSpace at commit 3827781, republished under its MIT licence (© HKUDS). 410 words, ~1,598 tokens.

Download SKILL.mdSave it as .claude/skills/excel-heredoc-fallback/SKILL.md (or your agent's skills folder). This skill also uses 1 other file; get the full folder from GitHub.
name
excel-heredoc-fallback
description
Create Excel files with openpyxl by falling back to shell-based Python heredoc when sandbox execution fails

Excel Creation via Shell Heredoc Fallback

Overview

When creating Excel files with openpyxl, execute_code_sandbox may fail due to sandbox restrictions, missing dependencies, or permission issues. This skill provides a reliable fallback: execute Python code via run_shell using an inline heredoc script. This approach often succeeds where the sandbox fails and supports full openpyxl features including styling, formulas, and formatting.

When to Use This Skill

  • execute_code_sandbox fails when importing or using openpyxl
  • Sandbox shows errors about missing packages, permissions, or execution restrictions
  • You need to create Excel files with advanced formatting (styles, colors, merged cells, formulas)
  • Previous sandbox attempts have failed multiple times

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Attempt Sandbox Execution First

Always try execute_code_sandbox first, as it's cleaner and preferred when it works:

python
from openpyxl import Workbook
from openpyxl.styles import Font, Fill, PatternFill, Alignment

wb = Workbook()
ws = wb.active
ws['A1'] = 'Header'
ws['A1'].font = Font(bold=True)
wb.save('output.xlsx')
Step 2: Detect Sandbox Failure

Watch for these failure indicators:

  • ImportError for openpyxl or related modules
  • Permission denied errors
  • File write failures
  • Repeated retry loops without success
  • Timeout or resource errors
Step 3: Fall Back to Shell Heredoc

When sandbox fails, switch to run_shell with a Python heredoc:

bash
python3 << 'EOF'
from openpyxl import Workbook
from openpyxl.styles import Font, Fill, PatternFill, Alignment, Border, Side

# Create workbook
wb = Workbook()
ws = wb.active
ws.title = "Sheet1"

# Add data with formatting
ws['A1'] = 'Name'
ws['B1'] = 'Value'
ws['A1'].font = Font(bold=True, size=14)
ws['B1'].font = Font(bold=True, size=14)

# Add rows
data = [
    ['Item 1', 100],
    ['Item 2', 200],
    ['Item 3', 150],
]

for row_idx, row_data in enumerate(data, start=2):
    for col_idx, value in enumerate(row_data, start=1):
        cell = ws.cell(row=row_idx, column=col_idx, value=value)
        cell.alignment = Alignment(horizontal='center')

# Add formulas if needed
ws['B5'] = '=SUM(B2:B4)'

# Save the file
wb.save('output.xlsx')
print("Excel file created successfully: output.xlsx")
EOF
Step 4: Use run_shell Tool

Execute the heredoc via run_shell:

tool: run_shell
command: python3 << 'EOF'
[from openpyxl code here]
EOF
Step 5: Verify File Creation

After execution, confirm the file was created:

tool: run_shell
command: ls -lh output.xlsx

Check the file size to ensure it's not empty (should be >1KB for typical spreadsheets).

Best Practices

1. Use Single-Quoted Heredoc Delimiter

Always use << 'EOF' (with quotes) to prevent shell variable expansion inside the Python code.

2. Include Error Handling

Add try/except blocks to catch and report issues:

python
try:
    from openpyxl import Workbook
    # ... your code ...
    wb.save('output.xlsx')
    print("SUCCESS: File created")
except Exception as e:
    print(f"ERROR: {e}")
    exit(1)
Show full SKILL.md (170 more words)Show less
3. Print Confirmation Messages

Always include print statements that confirm success or report specific errors. This helps debug issues.

4. Use Absolute or Explicit Paths

When saving files, use explicit paths to avoid confusion:

python
wb.save('./output.xlsx')  # Explicit current directory
# or
wb.save('/workspace/output.xlsx')  # Absolute path
5. Keep Scripts Concise

Heredoc scripts should be focused and not excessively long. If the Excel logic is complex, consider writing a separate .py file first using write_file, then executing it.

Advanced Formatting Examples

Cell Styling
python
from openpyxl.styles import Font, PatternFill, Alignment, Border, Side

# Define styles
bold_font = Font(bold=True, size=12)
header_fill = PatternFill(start_color='4472C4', end_color='4472C4', fill_type='solid')
center_align = Alignment(horizontal='center', vertical='center')
thin_border = Border(
    left=Side(style='thin'),
    right=Side(style='thin'),
    top=Side(style='thin'),
    bottom=Side(style='thin')
)

# Apply to cells
ws['A1'].font = bold_font
ws['A1'].fill = header_fill
ws['A1'].alignment = center_align
Column Width and Row Height
python
ws.column_dimensions['A'].width = 20
ws.column_dimensions['B'].width = 15
ws.row_dimensions[1].height = 25
Merged Cells
python
ws.merge_cells('A1:C1')
ws['A1'] = 'Merged Header'
ws['A1'].alignment = Alignment(horizontal='center')
Multiple Sheets
python
wb.create_sheet(title='Summary')
wb.create_sheet(title='Details')
ws_summary = wb['Summary']
ws_details = wb['Details']

Troubleshooting

IssueSolution
openpyxl not foundAdd pip install openpyxl before Python script
File not createdCheck working directory, use absolute paths
Permission deniedEnsure write permissions in target directory
Encoding issuesPython 3 handles UTF-8 by default; specify if needed
Large files time outIncrease run_shell timeout parameter

Comparison: Sandbox vs. Shell Heredoc

Aspectexecute_code_sandboxrun_shell heredoc
PreferredYes (cleaner)No (fallback)
DependenciesMay be restrictedUses system Python
File accessSandboxedFull filesystem
Styling supportSometimes limitedFull support
DebuggingLogs in tool outputFull stdout/stderr

Example Complete Workflow

# Step 1: Try sandbox
tool: execute_code_sandbox
code: |
  from openpyxl import Workbook
  wb = Workbook()
  ws = wb.active
  ws['A1'] = 'Test'
  wb.save('test.xlsx')

# Step 2: If that fails, use shell heredoc
tool: run_shell
command: |
  python3 << 'EOF'
  from openpyxl import Workbook
  from openpyxl.styles import Font, PatternFill
  
  wb = Workbook()
  ws = wb.active
  
  ws['A1'] = 'Header'
  ws['A1'].font = Font(bold=True)
  ws['A1'].fill = PatternFill(start_color='FFFF00', fill_type='solid')
  
  wb.save('test.xlsx')
  print("Created: test.xlsx")
  EOF

# Step 3: Verify
tool: run_shell
command: ls -lh test.xlsx

© HKUDS, MIT. Rendered from Markdown: HTML in the file is shown as text, images as links, and headings moved down two levels. Raw file

Files

SKILL.md and 1 other file in benchmarks/gdpval/skills/excel-heredoc-fallback of HKUDS/OpenSpace.

  • SKILL.md
  • .skill_id

Open the folder on GitHubat commit 3827781

Compare with similar skills

Excel Heredoc Fallback next to the 5 skills that share the most tags, products or categories with it. Stars are the repository's; “used in” counts other GitHub owners with a copy.

Excel Heredoc Fallback compared with similar skills
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Excel Heredoc Fallback this skillHKUDS/OpenSpace7.8k—~1.6kAutomated safety check: PassMIT
Excel Workbook EditorTokenRhythm/opensquilla7.1k—~1.6kAutomated safety check: PassApache-2.0
Kimi XLSXthvroyal/kimi-skills238—~9.5kAutomated safety check: PassNone
Office XLSXopen-octo/octo-agent125—~1.8kAutomated safety check: NotesMIT
Cc Streaming Export Safetydoccker/cc-use-exp1.1k—~2.2kAutomated safety check: PassCustom licence
XLSXnexus-research-lab/nexus151—~501Automated safety check: PassApache-2.0

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Questions about Excel Heredoc Fallback

What does Excel Heredoc Fallback do?

Create Excel files with openpyxl by falling back to shell-based Python heredoc when sandbox execution fails. Excel Heredoc Fallback is an agent skill from HKUDS/OpenSpace.

When should I use Excel Heredoc Fallback?

Excel Heredoc Fallback fits situations like: tasks that involve Excel spreadsheets.

How do I install Excel Heredoc Fallback in Claude Code?

Run `npx skills add HKUDS/OpenSpace --skill excel-heredoc-fallback -a claude-code`. Or copy the skill folder (benchmarks/gdpval/skills/excel-heredoc-fallback in HKUDS/OpenSpace) into .claude/skills/excel-heredoc-fallback in your project. Claude Code loads it when a task matches its description.

How do I install Excel Heredoc Fallback in Codex?

Run `npx skills add HKUDS/OpenSpace --skill excel-heredoc-fallback -a codex`. Or copy the skill folder (benchmarks/gdpval/skills/excel-heredoc-fallback in HKUDS/OpenSpace) into .agents/skills/excel-heredoc-fallback in your project. Codex loads it when a task matches its description.

Can I use Excel Heredoc Fallback in Cursor, Gemini CLI or GitHub Copilot?

Cursor, Gemini CLI, GitHub Copilot and OpenCode also load SKILL.md folders. With the skills CLI, run `npx skills add HKUDS/OpenSpace --skill excel-heredoc-fallback -a cursor` (or -a gemini-cli, github-copilot or opencode for the others). To copy it by hand, put the folder in .cursor/skills/excel-heredoc-fallback, .gemini/skills/excel-heredoc-fallback, .github/skills/excel-heredoc-fallback and .opencode/skills/excel-heredoc-fallback in your project.

What does Excel Heredoc Fallback need to run?

Going by SKILL.md and its folder, Excel Heredoc Fallback needs the command-line tools its instructions call (python3 and pip). Our summary lists: Python 3.

Does Excel Heredoc Fallback access the network?

SKILL.md contains no URLs. Its commands use pip, which can reach the network depending on how they are called. This is read from the text; nothing was executed.

Is Excel Heredoc Fallback safe to install?

Our automated static check of SKILL.md found no risky patterns, such as piping downloads into a shell, reading credential files or hidden Unicode. It is not a guarantee. Review the folder before installing.

What licence does Excel Heredoc Fallback use?

Excel Heredoc Fallback is published under the MIT licence (the repository's licence). It allows redistribution, so the full SKILL.md is shown on this page.

How many tokens does Excel Heredoc Fallback use?

About 1.6k tokens (SKILL.md is roughly 6.4k characters). Agents keep only the skill's name and description in context until a task matches; then they load SKILL.md in full.

What are the alternatives to Excel Heredoc Fallback?

Skills that share tags, products or a category with Excel Heredoc Fallback: Excel Workbook Editor (TokenRhythm/opensquilla, 7.1k stars), Kimi XLSX (thvroyal/kimi-skills, 238 stars), Office XLSX (open-octo/octo-agent, 125 stars) and Cc Streaming Export Safety (doccker/cc-use-exp, 1.1k stars). The comparison table on this page puts their stars, adoption, token cost, safety result and licence side by side.

Who maintains Excel Heredoc Fallback?

HKUDS (a GitHub organization) maintains it in HKUDS/OpenSpace, which has 7,750 GitHub stars. The repository holds 199 skills in this directory. The repository was last updated on August 12, 2026.

Source: HKUDS/OpenSpace on GitHub. Facts on this page come from the repository at the commit we read; the author's words are quoted as theirs.