print_skill

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