pdf-calendar-extraction

PDF Calendar Extraction

Overview

This skill extracts appointment information from a calendar PDF by analyzing:

• Appointment block positions and dimensions
• Time slots based on 15-minute intervals between horizontal lines
• Color coding (blue = flexible/overwritable, other colors = fixed appointments)
• Start and end times calculated from vertical position relative to timeline

Extracting Calendar Data from PDF

Step 1: Read the PDF

Use the Read tool to load the calendar PDF:

Read /root/calendar.pdf

The PDF will display as a visual image in the interface.

Step 2: Identify the Timeline Structure

Look for:

• Vertical timeline axis (usually on the left side) showing hours or time markers
• Horizontal grid lines dividing the calendar into 15-minute intervals
• Time labels indicating the start hour(s) of the day

Example: If you see "9:00 AM" label and horizontal lines below it, each line represents 15 minutes.

Step 3: Locate and Measure Appointment Blocks

For each visible appointment block:

1. Identify the block: Rectangular areas representing appointments
2. Determine color: Note if the block is blue (flexible) or another color (fixed)
3. Measure vertical position:
   • Identify which horizontal lines the block spans
   • Count lines from the start time to get duration
   • Each line = 15 minutes
4. Calculate times:
   • Start time = position from top of timeline
   • End time = start time + (number of 15-minute intervals)

Step 4: Record Appointment Data

Create a structured list of appointments:

{
  "timezone": "[Extracted from PDF if visible]",
  "appointments": [
    {
      "name": "Appointment Name",
      "start_time": "HH:MM",
      "end_time": "HH:MM",
      "duration_minutes": 30,
      "color": "blue|other",
      "flexible": true|false
    }
  ]
}

Color Coding Rules

• Blue blocks: Flexible or low-priority tasks that can be overwritten by meeting requests
• Other colors (gray, black, etc.): Fixed appointments that cannot be moved
• When a meeting request overlaps with a blue block, treat it as available time and schedule the meeting

Tips for Accurate Extraction

• If the PDF shows a full day view, identify the start and end hours clearly
• Double-check time calculations by counting 15-minute intervals
• Note any timezone information displayed on the calendar
• If blocks are adjacent with no gap, verify they are separate appointments vs. one longer block

Output Format

Return extracted data as a structured list suitable for the meeting slot finder algorithm to process.