# Patent-Application Sub-Skill Prerequisites: Required Inputs and Setup Guide

> Discover the patent-application sub-skill prerequisites. Learn about required inputs like disclosure documents and patent types to successfully set up your patent application.

- Repository: [handsomestWei/patent-disclosure-skill](https://github.com/handsomestWei/patent-disclosure-skill)
- Tags: getting-started
- Published: 2026-09-05

---

**Prerequisites for using the patent-application sub-skill are a completed disclosure output directory from the patent-disclosure skill, containing the written disclosure document, structured schema data, and line-drawings, plus a declared patent type (invention, utility model, or design).**

The `patent-application` sub-skill in the `handsomestWei/patent-disclosure-skill` repository transforms an existing patent disclosure (交底书) into a complete patent-application package. This package includes claims, description, abstract, and black-and-white drawings—collectively known as the **四件套** (four-piece set). Before this conversion can occur, the sub-skill strictly validates that all prerequisite artefacts are present in the disclosure output folder.

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## Required Disclosure Output Directory

The foundation prerequisite is a **disclosure output directory** located under `outputs/{案件标识}/`. This folder must be generated by the `patent-disclosure` sub-skill in a prior execution.

In [`skills/patent-application/tools/check_support.py`](https://github.com/handsomestWei/patent-disclosure-skill/blob/main/skills/patent-application/tools/check_support.py), the sub-skill validates the presence of this directory before processing begins. If the directory is absent or incomplete, the skill aborts immediately with a prompt to "补交底" (complete the disclosure first).

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## Mandatory Artefacts in the Disclosure Folder

The `patent-application` sub-skill expects three specific artefacts within the disclosure output directory:

| Artefact | Description | Failure Mode |
|----------|-------------|--------------|
| **交底书** (written disclosure) | The narrative invention description produced by the disclosure skill | Skill aborts if missing |
| **schema** (structured data) | JSON or structured metadata describing the invention's technical fields | Validation error |
| **线稿** (line-drawings) | Hand-drawn invention sketches for figure generation | Figure generation skipped or failed |

According to the [`skills/patent-application/README.md`](https://github.com/handsomestWei/patent-disclosure-skill/blob/main/skills/patent-application/README.md), missing any of these components triggers an explicit user prompt to provide the incomplete material before the application builder can proceed.

---

## Patent Type Declaration

You must declare the **专利类型** (patent type) when invoking the sub-skill. The accepted values are:

- **发明** (invention patent) — requires full claims, detailed description, and technical drawings
- **实用新型** (utility model) — simplified claims with focus on shape/structure improvements
- **外观** (design patent) — emphasizes visual appearance with specialized figure requirements

This declaration determines which templates [`emit_application_docx.py`](https://github.com/handsomestWei/patent-disclosure-skill/blob/main/emit_application_docx.py) selects and how [`compose_application_figure.py`](https://github.com/handsomestWei/patent-disclosure-skill/blob/main/compose_application_figure.py) processes the line-drawings into formal patent figures.

---

## How to Verify Prerequisites Are Met

The validation logic in [`check_support.py`](https://github.com/handsomestWei/patent-disclosure-skill/blob/main/check_support.py) performs these checks in sequence:

1. Directory existence — confirms `outputs/{case_id}/` is accessible
2. File completeness — locates [`disclosure.txt`](https://github.com/handsomestWei/patent-disclosure-skill/blob/main/disclosure.txt), [`schema.json`](https://github.com/handsomestWei/patent-disclosure-skill/blob/main/schema.json), and drawing files
3. Schema validity — parses structured data for required fields
4. Patent type compatibility — validates the declared type against available templates

---

## Invocation Examples (Prerequisites Satisfied)

Once the disclosure output directory is ready, invoke the sub-skill through any supported interface:

```python

# Python wrapper — explicit patent type

from skills.patent_application import run_skill

result = run_skill(
    command="专利申请文件，交底在 outputs/Case12345/",
    patent_type="发明"
)

# Returns: paths to Markdown, Word, and generated figure files

print(result)

```

```yaml

# Skill-file YAML configuration

skill: patent-application
input: "专利申请文件，交底在 outputs/Case12345/"
options:
  patent_type: 实用新型

```

```bash

# CLI entry point with design patent type

skill-cli patent-application "专利申请文件，交底在 outputs/Case12345/" --type 外观

```

All three patterns fail gracefully with an error message if the disclosure artefacts are not found at the specified path.

---

## Output Generated Upon Successful Completion

When prerequisites are satisfied, the sub-skill produces:

- **Markdown** — structured application text for review
- **Word document (.docx)** — formal patent application via [`emit_application_docx.py`](https://github.com/handsomestWei/patent-disclosure-skill/blob/main/emit_application_docx.py)
- **Black-and-white figures** — processed invention drawings via [`compose_application_figure.py`](https://github.com/handsomestWei/patent-disclosure-skill/blob/main/compose_application_figure.py)
- **问题清单** (issue list) — appended unresolved questions requiring attorney review

---

## Summary

- The `patent-application` sub-skill requires a **disclosure output directory** from prior `patent-disclosure` execution
- Three artefacts are mandatory: **交底书** (disclosure text), **schema** (structured data), and **线稿** (line-drawings)
- **Patent type must be declared** as 发明, 实用新型, or 外观 to select appropriate templates
- Validation occurs in [`check_support.py`](https://github.com/handsomestWei/patent-disclosure-skill/blob/main/check_support.py); missing prerequisites trigger "补交底" prompts
- Successful execution produces the **四件套** package plus an issue list for legal review

---

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What happens if I run patent-application without a disclosure folder?

The sub-skill aborts immediately. The validation logic in [`check_support.py`](https://github.com/handsomestWei/patent-disclosure-skill/blob/main/check_support.py) detects the missing directory and returns a message asking you to "补交底" (complete the disclosure) first. No application documents are generated.

### Can I reuse a disclosure folder from an older case?

Yes, if the folder structure matches the expected `outputs/{案件标识}/` format and contains all three required artefacts. The sub-skill does not validate case timestamps—only file presence and schema completeness.

### Where is the patent type used in the generated output?

The patent type flows through [`emit_application_docx.py`](https://github.com/handsomestWei/patent-disclosure-skill/blob/main/emit_application_docx.py) to select document templates and through [`compose_application_figure.py`](https://github.com/handsomestWei/patent-disclosure-skill/blob/main/compose_application_figure.py) to determine figure styling. Each type produces structurally different claims and drawing requirements per Chinese patent examination guidelines.

### Is the issue list (问题清单) always appended?

Yes. According to [`skills/patent-application/README.md`](https://github.com/handsomestWei/patent-disclosure-skill/blob/main/skills/patent-application/README.md), this list is automatically appended to every output as a quality-control measure, flagging unresolved technical or legal questions that require human attorney review before formal submission.