Version 0.1.0 - Open format

A document format
for the intelligence era.

Web Document combines fixed-page precision with interactive forms and portable annotations - all inside one secure, self-contained file.

No JS
secure files
1 file
portable archive
100%
layout fidelity
Layered Web Document pages floating diagonally
Self-contained
one portable file
Fixed layout
100% fidelity
Secure by design
no scripts inside

What is Web Document?

WebD Specification

Web Document (.webd) is an open, archive-based document format designed for fixed-page documents. It packages HTML and CSS with embedded assets (images, fonts, media) and metadata into one secure, portable file.

Key Characteristics
Secure by design

No JavaScript. No external links. No iframes. Every resource lives inside the file.

Pixel-perfect layout

Fixed pages mean documents look identical on every screen and when printed.

Interactive & portable

Fill forms, add annotations, and save - everything stays inside the same .webd file.

File Structure
ZIP ARCHIVE
document.webd validated ZIP archive Core document index.html + styles.css fixed pages Manifest & metadata metadata.json + manifest.json validated Pages pages/0001.html, 0002.html... ordered Embedded resources assets/ + annotations/ portable
A single ZIP archive with a strict, validated structure

Built for how documents are actually used today

Secure by design

No scripts, no external links, no iframes. Every resource lives inside the file.

Pixel-perfect layout

Fixed pages mean documents look identical on every screen and when printed.

Real, savable forms

Standard HTML form fields. Fill them out, save the file, and the data travels with it.

Powerful annotations

Highlight, underline, strikethrough, comments, and freehand drawings. Stored separately.

Searchable & accessible

Full-text search across every page. Semantic HTML supports screen readers and read-aloud.

Single, portable file

Everything - text, layout, assets, and user data - lives in one .webd file.

See what Web Document files look like

Download a sample .webd file and open it in WebD Reader (desktop or online) to explore the format hands-on.

WebD Whitepaper cover page
WebD Whitepaper
Strategic and technical overview of the WebD format, readers, embed model, and security posture.
Apex Mutual insurance claim form
Insurance Claim Form
Multi-page Apex Mutual intake form with fillable fields, steppers, and a declaration that saves inside the .webd file.
Solar System interactive guide cover
Solar System
Visually rich space-science manual with orbital diagrams, media, and fixed-page chapters on planets and moons.
Penetration Test Report terms and access cover page
Penetration Test Report
Confidential security report sample. Protected with passcode PT-2026-042 and requires terms acceptance to read the full document — either feature can be used on its own.

WebD Reader

The desktop application for .webd files.

Continuous or single-page view with smooth virtual scrolling
Full-document search with instant visual highlights
Fill & save forms - data persists inside the file
Annotations + drawings with highlight, comment, and freehand tools
Read-aloud, bookmarks, TOC, dark & light themes, print-ready
Perfect for reading Markdown
Custom Layouts
Control page size, fonts, color palettes, text size & spacing.
Annotations
Highlight, underline, draw & comment directly on Markdown.
Bookmarks & Tools
Full reader tools including search, read-aloud & bookmarks.
Save as .webd
Preserve all annotations & settings when exporting to Web Document.
WebD Reader desktop application
Download for free!
WebD Reader Online

Open WebD files in the browser.

WebD Reader Online brings the reader experience to a web app, so people can inspect, search, and review .webd files without installing the desktop application.

What a Web Document could be?

Long-form reports & magazines
Preserve complex layouts across dozens or hundreds of pages.
Contracts, policies & compliance documents
Fixed layout + strong security guarantees.
Interactive forms
Insurance, HR, finance, and intake forms with data inside the file.
Research & review workflows
Annotate documents without modifying the original source.
Internal business documents
Invoices, specifications, and reports that must look exactly right.

Create Web Document files

You don't need special software. Just prompt your preferred LLM using the official Web Document specification.

Tip: The more precisely you describe structure, typography, and layout, the better the result.
How to create a WebD file with AI
  1. Paste the WebD specification link into your prompt
  2. Describe the document you want
  3. Attach assets like source data, logo, images, etc.
  4. Download the .webd file and open it in WebD Reader
Prompt examples
Example 1 - Simple report
Using the WebD format specification at
https://github.com/webdocument/webd-spec/blob/main/webd-spec.md
create a valid .webd package (fixed-layout HTML/CSS, no document JavaScript).

Title: Q3 Strategic Priorities 2026
Author: Strategy Team
Page size: A4, portrait
Pages: 6

Include:
- Cover page
- Executive Summary
- Key Objectives (table)
- Risks & Mitigations
- Timeline
- Conclusion

Follow the package layout in the spec (index.html, styles.css, metadata.json; multi-page content under pages/ as needed). Professional restrained design, clear headings, good margins, one accent color.
Example 2 - With attached assets
Using the WebD format specification at
https://github.com/webdocument/webd-spec/blob/main/webd-spec.md
create a valid 4-page .webd product brochure. Embed all assets inside the package (prefer assets/); no external URLs; no document JavaScript.

Title: Aether Pro - Product Overview 2026
Author: Aether Labs

Attached assets (include them in the package):
- logo.png (company logo)
- hero.jpg (main product photo)
- features-1.jpg, features-2.jpg
- spec-table.png

Pages:
1. Cover with logo + hero
2. Product highlights with images
3. Detailed features
4. Technical specs + contact

Modern dark color scheme, generous whitespace, elegant typography. Follow the spec package structure (index.html, styles.css, metadata.json, pages/, assets/).
Agent skill: webd

Prefer structured authoring? Install the open webd skill in any AI coding agent that supports skills—so it can create, pack, validate packages, and extract filled form data.

webd-skill
Install (any agent)
git clone https://github.com/webdocument/webd-skill.git
# copy or symlink into your agent's skills directory
cp -R webd-skill <skills-dir>/webd

<skills-dir> is your platform’s skills folder (e.g. ~/.claude/skills, project .agents/skills). See the skill README for details.

For developers

WebD Reader Embed

WebD Reader Embed

WebD Reader Embed is a lightweight, view-first library for embedding .webd files in your own apps — with the same package validation and controlled rendering model used by the full readers.

Use case
Portals

Embed statements, policies, and customer documents inside secure account portals — fixed layout, no install required.

1

Supply package

Load a WebD file or extracted package data through a controlled application path.

2

Validate & render

Sanitize HTML, scope CSS, block scripts and remote resources, then render fixed pages.

3

Control tools

Choose whether to expose search, navigation, annotation display, or read-only viewing.

A WebD document should look the same whether it opens in the desktop reader, online reader, or an embedded viewer inside your application.