compare
Frenchie vs Pandoc.
Pandoc is a document converter you run. Frenchie is an MCP tool your agent calls.
Pandoc is excellent when you want a local command-line converter and you are comfortable owning the conversion step. Frenchie is shaped for agent workflows: install the skill pack, let the agent call `extract_to_markdown`, and get Markdown saved back into the workspace. If you want a universal converter, use Pandoc. If you want Office and spreadsheet extraction inside Claude Code, Cursor, Codex, or another MCP client, use Frenchie.
side by side
The shape of each tool.
| Dimension | Pandoc | Frenchie |
|---|---|---|
| Integration surface | CLI and libraries you call from your own scripts | MCP tool called directly by an AI agent |
| Best fit | Local document conversion and publishing pipelines | Agent-readable DOCX, XLSX, CSV, TSV, and PPTX extraction |
| Operations | You install, version, and script it | Managed service with skill pack instructions and async handling |
| Pricing | Free software; your machine does the work | Credit-based: from 0.5 credit per native extraction unit |
pick Pandoc
When Pandoc is the right call
- You need a broad document converter for local publishing workflows.
- You want everything to run offline on your own machine.
- You already have scripts around Pandoc and the conversion output is good enough.
pick frenchie
When Frenchie is the right call
- Your agent needs to read Office and spreadsheet files without you writing converter glue.
- You want skills installed alongside MCP tools so the agent knows when to call extraction.
- You want a managed path for local stdio agents and hosted HTTP agents.
together
Can you use both?
Use Pandoc for deterministic document publishing. Use Frenchie when the document arrives inside an agent workflow and the next step is reasoning over Markdown, not managing a conversion script.
questions
The ones that come up.
Is Frenchie a Pandoc replacement?
No. Pandoc is a broad converter. Frenchie is a focused MCP file utility for agent workflows.
Why pay for Frenchie if Pandoc is free?
Because the job is different. Pandoc gives you a converter. Frenchie gives your agent a managed tool call, upload handling, async behavior, result saving, and skills.
Can Pandoc convert Excel files?
Pandoc is strongest for document formats. Frenchie explicitly covers XLSX, CSV, and TSV extraction to Markdown for agents.
See if Frenchie fits.
100 free credits on signup. No card. Try it against a real DOCX, XLSX, CSV, TSV, or PPTX file from your workflow — compare the Markdown side by side.