> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://superdoc-nick-sd-2070-add-content-controls-namespace-to-doc.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Document Engine

> Programmatic document editing — in the browser, from the terminal, or through SDKs

<Info>
  Document Engine is in <strong>alpha</strong> and subject to breaking changes while the contract and adapters continue to evolve.
</Info>

Document Engine gives you four ways to read and edit `.docx` files without a visible editor:

| Surface                                | Best for                                | Runtime          |
| -------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------- | ---------------- |
| [Document API](/document-api/overview) | In-browser editing via `editor.doc.*`   | Browser          |
| [SDKs](/document-engine/sdks)          | Backend automation with typed methods   | Node / Python    |
| [CLI](/document-engine/cli)            | Scripts and CI pipelines                | Any shell        |
| [MCP Server](/document-engine/mcp)     | AI agents (Claude Code, Cursor, custom) | Local subprocess |

All four share the same operation set. `find` is `editor.doc.find()` in the browser, `superdoc.doc.find()` in the SDK, `superdoc find` in the CLI, and `superdoc_find` in MCP.

## How it works

```mermaid actions={false} theme={null}
flowchart TD
    API["Document API<br/><em>source of truth</em>"]
    API --> CLI["CLI<br/>terminal interface"]
    API --> MCP["MCP Server<br/>AI agent interface"]
    API --> SDK["Node SDK / Python SDK<br/>typed wrappers over CLI"]
```

The Document API defines the canonical operations. The CLI and MCP server wrap them for different consumers. The SDKs manage the CLI process and expose typed methods.

## Which surface should I use?

| Your setup                                       | Surface                                                      | Why                                                        |
| ------------------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------ | ---------------------------------------------------------- |
| Web app with a visible editor                    | [Document API](/document-api/overview)                       | Direct access via `editor.doc.*` — no network round-trips  |
| AI agent (Claude Code, Cursor, Windsurf, custom) | [MCP Server](/document-engine/mcp)                           | Sessions keep the editor alive across tool calls           |
| Backend automation (Node.js / Python)            | [SDKs](/document-engine/sdks)                                | Typed methods, session management, error handling built in |
| Shell scripts or CI pipelines                    | [CLI](/document-engine/cli)                                  | Stateless one-shot commands — no process to manage         |
| Serverless (Lambda, Vercel, Workers)             | [CLI](/document-engine/cli) or [SDKs](/document-engine/sdks) | Open the file, run the operation, return the result        |