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> **⚠️ Platform note — read before running any command.** The command examples here are written for **macOS / Linux**. On **Windows**: run `python` (or `py`) instead of `python3`, use `$env:USERPROFILE\…` and backslashes instead of `~/…`, and translate any shell pipes/redirects (`|`, `>`, `&&`) to their PowerShell equivalents before running. The scripts themselves are cross-platform; only the way you invoke them differs. # PDF Processing Guide ## Overview This guide covers essential PDF processing operations using Python libraries and command-line tools. For advanced features, JavaScript libraries, and detailed examples, see reference.md. If you need to fill out a PDF form, read forms.md and follow its instructions. ## Quick Start ```python from pypdf import PdfReader, PdfWriter # Read a PDF reader = PdfReader("document.pdf") print(f"Pages: {len(reader.pages)}") # Extract text text = "" for page in reader.pages: text += page.extract_text() ``` ## Python Libraries ### pypdf - Basic Operations #### Merge PDFs ```python from pypdf import PdfWriter, PdfReader writer = PdfWriter() for pdf_file in ["doc1.pdf", "doc2.pdf", "doc3.pdf"]: reader = PdfReader(pdf_file) for page in reader.pages: writer.add_page(page) with open("merged.pdf", "wb") as output: writer.write(output) ``` #### Split PDF ```python reader = PdfReader("input.pdf") for i, page in enumerate(reader.pages): writer = PdfWriter() writer.add_page(page) with open(f"page_{i...