spreadsheet-create-verify-gate

Spreadsheet Create/Verify Gate

Use this skill when you must create from scratch or modify an Excel workbook and the result must be proven against a user specification rather than merely described.

This skill extends the spreadsheet-proof-gate methodology with explicit support for:

• Workbook creation from scratch (not just editing existing files)
• openpyxl-specific pitfall handling (MergedCell, worksheet creation, formula handling)
• Tool failure resilience with clear escalation paths
• Pre-edit audit phases that catch common openpyxl errors before they occur

This is a workflow skill requiring a direct Python verification pass with openpyxl before reporting success. The verification script must be saved to a .py file and executed via run_shell (NOT execute_code_sandbox).

When to use

Use this skill when ANY of the following are true:

Creation scenarios:

• You must create a new Excel workbook from scratch
• No existing template is provided
• You need to establish the initial workbook structure

Editing scenarios:

• The workbook path must be discovered
• Multiple similar Excel files may exist
• The user requires exact sheet names, columns, counts, or samples
• Prior summaries are inconsistent or not trustworthy
• Exact post-edit workbook state matters

General:

• You must prove that mandatory criteria were satisfied
• A delegated agent may perform spreadsheet work
• Tool instability has been observed in prior attempts

Core rules

Rule 1: Creation vs. Editing distinction

Before starting, determine which path applies:

Creation path (new workbook):

• No existing workbook at the target path
• You are establishing the initial structure
• Pre-edit audit focuses on workspace validation and structure planning

Editing path (existing workbook):

• Existing workbook at the target path
• You are modifying structure or content
• Pre-edit audit includes full workbook structure inspection

Rule 2: Openpyxl pitfall awareness