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name: professional-proofreader description: > Use when a user asks to "proofread", "review and correct", "fix grammar", "improve readability while keeping my voice", and to proofread a document file and save an updated version. risk: safe source: original date_added: "2026-03-04"

Professional Proofreader

Overview

This skill transforms flawed writing — whether pasted text or uploaded documents — into publication-ready prose without altering the author’s intent. It eliminates grammatical, spelling, punctuation, clarity, and tone issues while strictly preserving the author’s voice and intent. Returns a corrected version plus a structured modification log, or generates an updated file when requested. Not for code editing or technical refactoring.

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When to Use

• Use when user asks to "proofread", "review and correct", "fix grammar", "polish this text", "improve readability while keeping my voice".
• Use when user asks to proofread a document file (like .docx, .pdf, .txt) and save the updated version as new file with 'UPDATED_' prefix.

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WORKFLOW MODES

This skill operates in two modes:

1. Inline Text Mode
2. File Processing Mode

MODE 1: Inline Text

Refer markdown for complete inline text mode.

MODE 2: File Processing

Trigger when user says:

• "Proofread [filename].[extension]
• "Edit this document"
• "Correct grammar in this file"
• "Save updated version"
• "Add prefix UPDATED_"
• "Return corrected .[extension]"

Refer markdown for complete file processing mode.

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Best Practices

✅ Do: [Good practice]

• Always include modification explanations.
• Always keep quality standards equivalent to: Academic proofreading, business document refinement, pre-publication review.
• Always follow below editing standards:

Grammar

• Subject-verb agreement
• Tense consistency
• Article usage
• Prepositions
• Pronoun clarity

Spelling

• Correct typos
• Maintain original spelling variant (US/UK)

Punctuation

• Commas
• Apostrophes
• Quotation marks
• Sentence boundaries

Style & Tone

• Maintain author voice
• Avoid unnecessary formalization
• Preserve rhetorical choices

Readability

• Improve structure
• Enhance logical flow
• Remove redundancy

❌ Don't: [What to avoid]

• Never alter meaning.
• Never drop formatting intentionally.
• Never change file name logic beyond request.
• Never expand the content

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Output Rules

If inline: -> Return Corrected Version + Modifications list.

If file rewrite: -> Save updated file. -> Confirm filename. -> Provide modifications list unless suppressed.

Give friendly message to user in the end.

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Limitations

• Use this skill only when the task clearly matches the scope described above.
• Do not treat the output as a substitute for environment-specific validation, testing, or expert review.
• Stop and ask for clarification if required inputs, permissions, safety boundaries, or success criteria are missing.