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Guide · Agent skill

How to use the Adobe Illustrator Scripting agent skill

Updated · written with AI from the project's own documentation and checked against our catalogue data

The adobe-illustrator-scripting skill gives an AI agent working knowledge of Adobe Illustrator's scripting object model, so it can write, debug and optimize ExtendScript (JavaScript-based .jsx) automation scripts. It is aimed at designers and production staff who handle many files, developers generating artwork from data, and anyone fixing an existing .jsx file. After this guide you will know how to install the skill, how to ask for help in plain language, and how to run the resulting scripts safely.

Adobe Illustrator Scriptinggithub/awesome-copilot · MIT

Quick start

  1. 1Download the ZIP. Download the adobe-illustrator-scripting ZIP file from this page.
  2. 2Unzip into a skills folder. Unzip it into ~/.claude/skills/ for personal use, or into the project's .claude/skills/ folder for one project.
  3. 3Or upload it in the Claude apps. Alternatively, upload the skill in the Claude apps under Settings → Capabilities → Skills.
  4. 4Check your requirements. Confirm you have Adobe Illustrator CC or later installed, plus a text editor or ExtendScript Toolkit for .jsx files.
  5. 5Describe the task in plain language. Ask for a specific script, such as a batch export or a debug of an existing .jsx file, and name the objects involved.
  6. 6Review the generated code. Read the script, especially file paths and any save or overwrite calls, before running it.
  7. 7Test on copies, then run. Run the script in Illustrator on duplicate files first, using File > Scripts > Other Scripts, then check the outputs.

What the skill makes the agent do

Once the skill is installed, the agent knows how Illustrator's scripting object model is organised: the Application, Document, Layer and page item hierarchy, plus paths, text frames, colors, artboards and export options. It also understands the coordinate system and measurement units, so it can convert inches, centimeters, millimeters and picas to points correctly.

When you ask for an Illustrator automation script, the agent writes ExtendScript code that follows these conventions. It can also review an existing script and help you find and fix problems in it.

  • Writes new .jsx or .js automation scripts for documents, layers, paths, text, colors and artboards
  • Debugs and modifies existing ExtendScript code
  • Covers export workflows to formats such as PDF, SVG and PNG
  • Uses a bundled quick-reference document for object types and related DOM concepts

Install the skill from a ZIP file

Download the ZIP file for the skill from this page. Then choose one of the two methods below. Use the personal folder if you want the skill available in every project, or a project folder if you want it limited to one project.

The skill's main instructions are in SKILL.md. The bundled quick reference is in references/object-model-quick-reference.md. The skill text also describes a scripts/ folder of example Illustrator scripts; check your download for that folder, since this page lists only the quick reference and SKILL.md as its files.

  • Personal install: unzip the file into ~/.claude/skills/
  • Project install: unzip the file into the project's .claude/skills/ folder
  • Claude apps: upload the skill under Settings → Capabilities → Skills

Trigger the skill with natural requests

You do not need a special command. The skill is designed to be used when your request involves creating or changing Illustrator scripts, or working with Illustrator document objects. Describe the task in plain language and name the Illustrator objects involved, such as layers, text frames or artboards.

Be specific about inputs and outputs. Say which folder holds the .ai files, what should change, and where the exports should go. The more concrete the request, the more useful the script.

  • Write an ExtendScript script that exports every .ai file in a folder to PNG at 300 ppi
  • Debug this .jsx file. It throws an error when it reaches the text frames loop
  • Make a script that loops over a CSV of names and creates one artboard per row with the name as a text frame
  • Convert these dimensions from millimeters to points in my script

Run the scripts Illustrator generates

Scripts run inside Illustrator, so Illustrator must be installed. The skill's requirements are Adobe Illustrator CC or later, basic JavaScript knowledge, and a text editor or the ExtendScript Toolkit (ESTK) to edit .jsx files.

Illustrator can run a script from File > Scripts > Other Scripts, from the Scripts menu, or from the Startup Scripts folder so it runs when the application launches. Scripts that begin with the #target illustrator directive are suited to running from ESTK or external tools.

  • Open the .jsx file in a text editor or ESTK and review it
  • Run it from File > Scripts > Other Scripts and choose the file
  • Keep the #target illustrator line at the top when running from ESTK or external tools
#target illustrator

Example: a scripted PNG export

The skill's own examples show how exports are written. The snippet below shows the pattern for exporting the active document as a PNG at 300 scale with transparency. Ask the agent to adapt it for your folder and file names rather than copying paths by hand.

Note that the script works on the active document, so open the file you want before running it.

var doc = app.activeDocument; var pngOpts = new ExportOptionsPNG24(); pngOpts.horizontalScale = 300; pngOpts.verticalScale = 300; pngOpts.transparency = true; doc.exportFile(new File('/path/to/output.png'), ExportType.PNG24, pngOpts);

Stay safe with scripts that change files

The skill does not run scripts itself, and it does not use the network. The risk comes from the scripts you run. A script can modify or overwrite .ai files and export outputs, so review the code before running it and test it on copies of your files first.

Keep original artwork backed up and write new outputs to a separate folder until you are confident in the result.

  • Read generated code before running it, especially file paths and any save or overwrite calls
  • Test on duplicate files and a small batch before a full run
  • Keep backups of production .ai files
  • Check outputs before sending them to print or clients

Tips for better results

The skill's language is ExtendScript, which is ES3-based with Adobe extensions. Mention that you want ExtendScript if the agent suggests modern JavaScript features that may not run in Illustrator. Remember that all scripting values are in points, and that kerning, tracking and aki values use em units.

When debugging, paste the full script and the exact error message, and say what Illustrator version you use.

  • Name the Illustrator object types you need, such as PathItem, TextFrame or Artboard
  • Paste the full error text when asking for a fix
  • Ask for coordinates to be explained: the origin is bottom-left for scripted documents
  • Ask the agent to point you to the quick reference when you want to check an object type

What people use it for

  • Batch-exporting a folder of .ai files to PNG, PDF or SVG for a client delivery
  • Generating data-driven artwork by reading rows of a dataset and placing text or shapes on artboards
  • Automating print workflows with scripted print options
  • Debugging an existing .jsx file that fails on layers, paths or text frames
  • Converting measurements from millimeters or picas to points inside an automation script

Frequently asked questions

What are the requirements for the Adobe Illustrator scripting skill?

The skill lists Adobe Illustrator CC or later, basic JavaScript knowledge, and a text editor or ExtendScript Toolkit to edit .jsx files. The generated scripts only run inside Illustrator, so the app must be installed.

Is the adobe-illustrator-scripting skill free to use?

The skill is listed under the MIT licence. Adobe Illustrator itself is a separate product that you need to own or access to run the scripts.

How do I install an agent skill from a ZIP file?

Unzip the downloaded file into ~/.claude/skills/ for personal use, or into a project's .claude/skills/ folder. You can also upload the skill in the Claude apps under Settings → Capabilities → Skills.

Can I use this skill without Adobe Illustrator?

Not in any useful way. The skill writes ExtendScript that runs only inside Illustrator, so without the app the scripts have no effect.

What is the difference between ExtendScript, AppleScript and VBScript for Illustrator?

The skill focuses on ExtendScript (JavaScript and .jsx), which works on Windows and macOS. AppleScript (.scpt) is macOS only and VBScript (.vbs) is Windows only.

Why does my Illustrator script fail or do nothing?

Check that the file begins with #target illustrator when run from ESTK or external tools, and that you are running it inside Illustrator. Paste the full error message and your Illustrator version into the agent for a targeted fix.

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Our verdict

This skill suits designers, production staff and developers who need to automate or debug Illustrator ExtendScript, and who have Illustrator installed. It is a poor fit if you do not use Illustrator or if you plan to run generated scripts on production files without testing them first.

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