Recipe Transcription Skill

Purpose

Transcribe recipes from Kindle screenshots, magazine scans, and other digital sources into structured JSON format.

Activation Triggers

• •Working with files in data/*.PNG, data/*.jpeg, data/processed/*.jpeg
• •Keywords: transcribe, OCR, extract, screenshot, kindle, magazine, scan

Pre-Flight Checklist

Before transcribing any image:

1. • Check image dimensions via python scripts/image_safeguards.py status
2. • Use data/processed/ version if image is oversized
3. • For Kindle screenshots, verify copyright/permission
4. • Identify source cookbook or publication

Transcription Workflow

Step 1: Image Assessment

python scripts/image_safeguards.py status

Determine image type:

• •Kindle screenshot: Look for "Location X of Y" footer
• •Magazine scan: Printed text, professional layout
• •Cookbook page: Verify permission before processing

Step 2: Completeness Check

DO NOT transcribe unless ALL THREE elements are visible:

1. •Recipe title
2. •At least partial ingredient list
3. •At least partial instructions

If incomplete, note as fragment and wait for adjacent images.

Step 3: Extract Information

Capture in order:

1. •Title (exactly as shown)
2. •Source attribution (cookbook name, magazine, etc.)
3. •Yield/servings (if shown)
4. •Prep/cook times (if shown)
5. •Ingredients (quantity, unit, item, prep notes)
6. •Instructions (numbered steps)
7. •Tips, notes, variations
8. •Temperature and pan size

Step 4: Create JSON Entry

{
  "id": "recipe-name-slug",
  "collection": "all",
  "collection_display": "Other Family Recipes",
  "title": "Recipe Name",
  "category": "category",
  "source_note": "Source cookbook or magazine",
  "ingredients": [
    {"item": "item", "quantity": "X", "unit": "cup", "prep_note": ""}
  ],
  "instructions": [
    {"step": 1, "text": "First instruction."}
  ],
  "image_refs": ["original_filename.PNG"],
  "confidence": {
    "overall": "high",
    "flags": []
  }
}

Step 5: Validate

python scripts/validate-recipes.py

Step 6: Mark Processed

python scripts/image_safeguards.py mark "IMG_XXXX.PNG" processed

OCR Error Awareness

Guardrails

MUST

• •Mark unclear text as [UNCLEAR]
• •Preserve original measurements
• •Verify copyright for cookbooks
• •Use processed images for oversized files

MUST NOT

• •Invent or guess content
• •Skip validation
• •Delete source images
• •Ignore dimension warnings

Quality Standards

Accuracy is more important than speed.