About Zip Archives as File Formats

There are many file formats that are actually zipped directories of multiple files. Some of them:

• .whl – Python dependencies
• .jar – Java web applications
• .crx – Chrome extensions
• .xpi – Firefox extensions
• .vsix – VS Code extensions
• .docx, .xlsx, .pptx – Microsoft Office formats (Open XML)
• .odt, .ods, .odp – LibreOffice/OpenDocument formats
• .epub – E-books
• .sketch – Sketch design files
• .xd – Adobe XD files
• .skill - Claude Code skills

The contents of those formats are mostly text-based files, such as JSON, XML, HTML, JavaScript, etc., and occasionally images or other binaries.