Archive Tool#

Extract and create archive files (zip, rar, 7z, tar, gz).

When This Skill Activates#

This skill triggers when user wants to extract, create, or list archive files.

Reasoning Framework#

StepActionWhy1DETECTIdentify archive format (zip/tar/gz/rar/7z)2CHECKVerify tools available for format3EXECUTEExtract, create, or list4VERIFYConfirm success, report errors

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Install#

bash

# Optional (for rar/7z support)
brew install unar p7zip

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Decision Tree#

What are you trying to do?#

text

├── Extract archive
│   └── Use: archive.py extract file.zip -o ./output
│
├── Create archive
│   └── Use: archive.py create output.zip ./folder
│
├── View contents
│   └── Use: archive.py list file.zip
│
└── Batch extract
    └── Use: archive.py extract "*.zip"

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Features#

FeatureDescriptionExtractzip, tar, tar.gz, tgz, gz, rar, 7zCreatezip, tar, tar.gzListView archive contentsBatchExtract multiple files

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Extract#

Command#

bash

python archive.py extract <file> [-o OUTPUT] [--password PASS]

Examples#

bash

# Extract to current folder
python archive.py extract archive.zip

# Extract to specific folder
python archive.py extract archive.zip -o ./extracted

# Extract with password
python archive.py extract archive.rar --password secret

# Extract to current directory
python archive.py extract archive.7z -o ./

# Batch extract all zip files
python archive.py extract "*.zip"

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Create#

Command#

bash

python archive.py create <output> <source> [--compression LEVEL]

Examples#

bash

# Create zip from folder
python archive.py create myfiles.zip ./myfolder

# Create tar from folder
python archive.py create backup.tar ./folder

# Create tar.gz
python archive.py create backup.tar.gz ./folder

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List#

Command#

bash

python archive.py list <file>

Examples#

bash

# List contents
python archive.py list archive.zip

# View without extracting
python archive.py list backup.tar.gz

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Supported Formats#

FormatExtractCreateNoteszip✅✅Python stdlibtar✅✅Python stdlibtar.gz / tgz✅✅Python stdlibgz✅❌Python stdlibrar⚠️❌Requires unar7z⚠️❌Requires p7zip

⚠️ = requires system tools

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Options#

FlagDescriptionDefault-o, --outputOutput directorycurrent dir--passwordArchive passwordnone--compression0-9 (zip only)6

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Troubleshooting#

Problem: "No module named 'zipfile'"#

• Cause: Using Python 2
• Fix: Use python3 instead of python

Problem: "Unsupported archive format"#

• Cause: Unknown format or corrupted file
• Fix: Verify file extension is correct

Problem: "Password required"#

• Cause: Encrypted archive
• Fix: Use --password flag

Problem: "rar/7z extraction failed"#

• Cause: Tools not installed
• Fix: brew install unar p7zip

Problem: "Permission denied"#

• Cause: No write permission in output folder
• Fix: Check folder permissions or use different output path

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Self-Check#

• Using correct Python (python3)
• Archive file exists and is readable
• For rar/7z: required tools installed
• Output directory exists and is writable
• Password correct (if encrypted)

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Quick Reference#

TaskCommandExtract zippython archive.py extract file.zipExtract to folderpython archive.py extract file.zip -o ./outExtract rarpython archive.py extract file.rarCreate zippython archive.py create out.zip ./folderCreate tar.gzpython archive.py create out.tar.gz ./folderList contentspython archive.py list file.zip

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