/csv-to-sif
Convert FF&E product lists to SIF format for dealer procurement systems
What it does
Type /as:csv-to-sif and it exports your project’s product library — or any CSV product list you point it at. The skill maps your columns to the field codes of the dealer system you name, carries over the manufacturer codes already in your data, previews the mapping and anything the format can’t hold, and generates a .sif file ready for dealer import.
SIF (Standard Interchange Format) is the standard file format for exchanging FF&E specification data between designers and dealers. Every major dealer system supports it.
Install
Claude Desktop:
- Open Customize → Browse plugins
- Click + → Add marketplace from GitHub
- Enter
AlpacaLabsLLC/skills-for-architects - Install Architecture Studio
Claude Code (terminal):
claude plugin marketplace add AlpacaLabsLLC/skills-for-architects
claude plugin install as@skills-for-architectsOr symlink just this skill:
git clone https://github.com/AlpacaLabsLLC/skills-for-architects.git
ln -s $(pwd)/skills-for-architects/skills/csv-to-sif ~/.claude/skills/csv-to-sifUsage
/as:csv-to-sif ~/Documents/project/product-data-import.csvSupports multiple target systems: Standard (Hedberg, CAP, ProjectMatrix), CET/Configura, Cyncly Worksheet, and Design Manager.
SIF field reference
| Code | Name | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
PN | Product Number | Yes | SKU — starts each record |
PD | Product Description | Yes | Product name |
MC | Manufacturer Code | Yes | 3-5 char code (HMI, KNL, STC) |
MN | Manufacturer Name | No | Full brand name |
QT | Quantity | Yes | Integer |
PL | List Price | Yes | Unit price |
P1-P5 | Price Tiers | No | Alternate price tiers |
GC | Category | No | Product category |
TG | Side Mark / Tag | No | Room or area |
S- | Sell Discount % | No | Sell = PL - (PL × S- × 0.01) |
ON/OD | Option | No | Finish, fabric, color (paired) |
AN/AD | Attribute | No | Dimensions, weight (paired) |
WT | Weight | No | Product weight |
ProductURL | Product URL | No | Link to product page |
ImageURL | Image URL | No | Link to product image |
Cyncly variants: MG (mfr code), I1/I2 (prices), PRC (category). CET variant: EC (mfr code).
Pairs with
/as:product-data-import— generate a schedule first, then convert to SIF/as:sif-to-csv— round-trip: send SIF to dealer, parse their quote back/as:product-data-cleanup— clean up data before converting
Common questions
What is a SIF file?
SIF, the Standard Interchange Format, is a plain-text format for exchanging FF&E specification data between designers and dealers. Each record holds a product's number, description, manufacturer, quantity, price and options.
Will the file import into my dealer's system?
The skill writes to the format of the target system you name, using that system's own specification for encoding and field codes rather than assuming every dealer system is the same. It only claims compatibility it has actually checked.
What if a column has no SIF equivalent?
Nothing is dropped silently. Before writing, the skill previews the field mapping, the number of records and any values the target format cannot carry.
Can it convert SIF back to CSV?
Yes, with the companion skill /sif-to-csv, which turns a dealer SIF file into a readable CSV and can optionally append it to your product library.