Resume Generator

A TypeScript CLI tool for generating ATS-compliant PDF resumes from JSON data templates.

Overview

This skill helps you work with a resume generation tool that converts JSON resume data into professionally formatted PDFs. The tool uses Playwright for PDF rendering, Handlebars for templating, and follows the JSONResume standard for data structure.

Core Capabilities

Understanding the Architecture

When working with this codebase, understand these core components:

1. **CLI Layer** (`src/cli/`): Commander.js-based CLI with generate and validate commands

2. **Generation Pipeline** (`src/generators/`): HTML → PDF conversion using Playwright

3. **Schema & Validation** (`src/schemas/`, `src/validators/`): AJV-based JSON validation

4. **Utilities** (`src/utils/`): Browser pooling, file watching, error handling

5. **Templates** (`templates/`): Handlebars templates for resume styling

Development Workflow

**Setup and Running**:

```bash

Initial setup

cp resume-data.example.json resume-data.json

Development mode

npm run dev

Build for production

npm run build

Run tests

npm test

npm run test:ci

```

**Common CLI Operations**:

```bash

Generate PDF from JSON

resume-gen --file resume-data.json

ATS-optimized mode

resume-gen --file resume-data.json --ats-mode

Watch mode for development

resume-gen --file resume-data.json --watch

Validate JSON schema

resume-gen validate resume-data.json

Custom output path

resume-gen --file resume-data.json -o my-resume.pdf

```

Working with Code

**When modifying generators**:

**When updating schemas**:

**When adding features**:

Testing Strategy

Run tests with Vitest:

```bash

All tests

npm test

Specific test file

npx vitest run tests/generators/pdf-generator.test.ts

Watch mode

npx vitest --watch

Coverage report

npm run test:ci

```

Test categories:

Personal Data Management

The tool follows `.env` file patterns for personal data:

Setup pattern:

1. Copy example file

2. Edit with personal information

3. Generate resume

The CLI provides helpful prompts if `resume-data.json` is missing.

Template System

Templates in `templates/` use Handlebars:

JSON Schema Requirements

Resume data must include:

Reference `resume-data.example.json` for complete structure.

Key Patterns

**Browser Pool Pattern**: Reuses Playwright instances across generations for performance

**Debounced Watch Mode**: File watching with debouncing prevents rapid regeneration

**Error Handling**: Custom error types provide specific context and recovery suggestions

**Deterministic Output**: Ensures reproducible PDF generation for version control

Common Tasks

**Adding a new CLI command**:

1. Create command file in `src/cli/commands/`

2. Register in `src/cli/index.ts`

3. Add tests in `tests/cli/`

**Modifying PDF output**:

1. Update Handlebars templates in `templates/`

2. Adjust styles in template CSS

3. Test with both ATS and professional modes

**Updating schema validation**:

1. Modify `src/schemas/resume-schema.ts`

2. Update validators in `src/validators/`

3. Run validation tests

**Debugging generation issues**:

```bash

Enable debug mode

resume-gen --file resume-data.json --debug

Check validation

resume-gen validate resume-data.json

Test specific components

npx vitest run tests/generators/

```

Important Notes