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Prompt for Claude to Generate eBook

eBook Generation: HTML to PDF with WeasyPrint

Overview

Convert an HTML ebook file to PDF using WeasyPrint, with automated handling of images, CSS fixes, and pagination optimization.

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Step 1: Locate the HTML File

Check /mnt/user-data/uploads/ for the HTML file you’ve uploaded.

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Step 2: Install WeasyPrint

bash

pip install weasyprint --break-system-packages

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Step 3: Handle Base64 Images

If image files accompany the HTML:

• Read each image file
• Convert to base64 format
• Replace placeholder src attributes in the HTML before rendering

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Step 4: Scan & Fix Pagination Issues

4a — Chapter Page Breaks

Every .chapter-header or top-level section heading must have break-before:page to start each chapter on a new page.

• If it only has break-after:avoid, add break-before:page alongside it

4b — Page Margins for Continuation Pages

Change @page margin rules from margin:0 to:

css

@page {
  size: A4;
  margin: 8mm 0 6mm 0;
}

Keep content side margins as padding on .content wrappers (e.g., padding: 0 16mm), not through @page left/right margins.

4c — Prevent Element Splitting

Add break-inside:avoid to:

• .takeaway-block, .takeaway-grid, .takeaway-header (also add break-after:avoid)
• .framework-block, .framework-row
• .card-row, .card-table
• .stat-table, .stat-row
• .checklist-row
• .step-row
• .pull-quote
• .tools-bar, .catch-bar
• .speaker-card
• Any compound block with a heading + body pair

4d — Orphan/Widow Control

Add to the body or html rule:

css

orphans: 3;
widows: 3;

4e — Header Anchoring

Any .section-label, .takeaway-header, .framework-title, or .chapter-header should have break-after:avoid to prevent it sitting alone at a page bottom.

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Step 5: WeasyPrint-Specific Rules

Before rendering, verify:

Suppress Warnings:

python

import warnings
warnings.filterwarnings('ignore')

Layout Compatibility:

• Use display:table for card grids and multi-column layouts (not flexbox or grid)
• All fonts must reference system paths
• All images must be base64-encoded inline (no external HTTP/HTTPS URLs)
• If an external image URL cannot be fetched, remove the <img> tag entirely

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Step 6: Generate the PDF

python

from weasyprint import HTML

HTML(filename='YOUR_MODIFIED_FILE.html').write_pdf(
    '/mnt/user-data/outputs/ebook.pdf',
    presentational_hints=True
)

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Step 7: Verify the Output

• Check total page count
• Confirm each chapter starts on a new page
• Confirm no content is flush against the top edge with zero padding

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Step 8: Troubleshoot if Needed

Issue	Solution
display:flex or display:grid on card layouts	Replace with display:table
<hr> tags present	Remove them
Dark backgrounds on full sections/chapters (except cover, pull quotes, prompt boxes, back cover)	Remove or limit scope
Low-contrast text on dark backgrounds	Change to #ffffff or rgba(255,255,255,0.85) minimum
Headings stranded at bottom with content on next page	Add break-after:avoid
Large blocks (tables, cards, frameworks) split across pages	Add break-inside:avoid

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Step 9: Output & Share

The PDF is generated to /mnt/user-data/outputs/ebook.pdf — download link ready.

Free Resource