---
name: handle-unsupported-files
description: Procedure for handling user-shared files with unsupported formats in Hermes Agent
version: 1.0.0
author: Hermes Agent
tags: ['file-handling', 'user-guidance', 'productivity']
---
# Handling Unsupported File Formats

## When to Use This Skill
When a user attempts to share a file with an extension not supported by Hermes Agent's file processing system.

## Supported File Formats
Hermes Agent supports these file types for direct processing:
- `.docx` - Microsoft Word documents
- `.log` - Log files
- `.md` - Markdown files
- `.pdf` - Portable Document Format
- `.pptx` - PowerPoint presentations
- `.txt` - Plain text files
- `.xlsx` - Excel spreadsheets
- `.zip` - Compressed archives

## Procedure

### 1. Acknowledge the Limitation Clearly
When the system rejects an unsupported file format:
- Clearly state that the file type is not supported
- List the supported formats (from the section above)
- Maintain a helpful, solution-oriented tone

### 2. Offer Concrete Alternatives
Provide the user with actionable options to share their content:

**Option A: Copy-Paste Content**
> "You can copy the contents of the file and paste them directly into our chat. I'll be able to read and process the text content this way."

**Option B: Convert to Supported Format**
> "Try saving the file as a .txt or .md file and then re-upload it. Most applications allow 'Save As' or 'Export' to these formats."

**Option C: For Web Content**
> "If this is content from a website, I can help you extract it using browser tools. You would need to:
> 1. Share the URL with me
> 2. I can navigate to the page and extract the text content
> 3. Then we can work with that extracted content"

### 3. Guide the User Through the Process
Once the user chooses an alternative:
- If they paste content: Acknowledge receipt and proceed with processing
- If they re-upload in supported format: Process normally
- If using browser extraction: Follow standard browser tool workflow (navigate, snapshot, type/click as needed)

### 4. Prevent Future Frustration
After resolving the current issue:
> "For future reference, Hermes Agent works best with .txt, .md, .docx, or .pdf files. If you're unsure, .txt is universally compatible."

## Pitfalls to Avoid
- Don't make the user feel frustrated or blamed for using an unsupported format
- Don't be vague about alternatives - give specific, actionable steps
- Don't forget to update your approach if the supported formats list changes
- Don't process unsupported files through workarounds that violate security policies

## Verification
The skill is successful when:
1. The user understands why their file wasn't processed
2. The user successfully shares their content through one of the alternative methods
3. We proceed to work with the content effectively
4. The user feels helped, not hindered by the file format limitation

## Example Interaction
User: [sends .html file]
System: [rejects with unsupported format message]
You: "I see you've shared an HTML file, but Hermes Agent doesn't currently support .html files for direct processing. 

Supported formats are: .docx, .log, .md, .pdf, .pptx, .txt, .xlsx, and .zip.

Here's how we can work with your content:
1. **Copy-paste**: Open the HTML file in a browser, select and copy the text content you want me to see, then paste it here
2. **Convert**: Save the file as .txt or .md (most browsers allow 'Save Page As' with these options)
3. **Web extraction**: If it's a live webpage, share the URL and I can extract the content using browser tools

Which approach works best for you?"

User: [pastes content or shares URL]
You: [proceed with normal processing]