Pptx From Layouts Skill

PPTX from Layouts

Generate consultant-quality PowerPoint presentations from markdown outlines using your template's actual slide master layouts.

Overview

Most PowerPoint generation approaches overlay text on template slides, fighting with backgrounds and decorative elements. This skill properly uses slide master layouts, placing content in actual placeholders to preserve professional design.

Installation

npx skills add /pptx-from-layouts-skill

Then install dependencies:

pip install python-pptx

Core Commands

Generate Presentation

python .claude/skills/pptx-from-layouts/scripts/generate.py outline.md -o presentation.pptx

Profile Custom Template

python .claude/skills/pptx-from-layouts/scripts/profile.py your-template.pptx --generate-config

Edit Existing Deck

# View content inventory
python .claude/skills/pptx-from-layouts/scripts/edit.py deck.pptx --inventory

# Replace text
python .claude/skills/pptx-from-layouts/scripts/edit.py deck.pptx --replace '{"slide":3,"old":"2025","new":"2026"}'

# Reorder slides
python .claude/skills/pptx-from-layouts/scripts/edit.py deck.pptx --reorder "0,2,1,3,4" -o reordered.pptx

Validate Output

python .claude/skills/pptx-from-layouts/scripts/validate.py deck.pptx

Outline Format

Write markdown with visual type declarations:

# Project Overview
**Visual: hero-statement**
Transforming operations through digital innovation

---

# Our Approach
**Visual: process-3-phase**

[Column 1: Discover]
- Stakeholder interviews
- Competitive audit

[Column 2: Define]
- Workshop facilitation
- Strategic framework

[Column 3: Deliver]
- Implementation
- Training & handover

---

# Investment Summary
**Visual: table**

| Category | Investment |
|----------|------------|
| Research | $50,000 |
| Design | $75,000 |
| **Total** | **$125,000** |

Visual Types

| Type | Use When | |------|----------| | hero-statement | Single punchy tagline | | process-N-phase | Sequential steps (N=2-5) | | comparison-N | Side-by-side options | | cards-N | Discrete parallel items | | data-contrast | Two opposing metrics | | quote-hero | Powerful quote | | timeline-horizontal | Date-based sequences | | table | Genuinely tabular data | | bullets | Default for 3+ items |

Selection order: sequence → comparison → parallel items → data contrast → quote → table → hero → bullets

Typography Markers

Inline Formatting

| Marker | Result | |--------|--------| | {blue}text{/blue} | Brand accent color | | {bold}text{/bold} | Bold | | {italic}text{/italic} | Italic | | {question}text?{/question} | Emphasized question |

Paragraph Formatting

| Marker | Result | |--------|--------| | {bullet:-} | Dash bullet | | {bullet:1} | Numbered | | {level:N} | Indent level |

Decision Guide

| Change Type | Action | |-------------|--------| | New presentation | generate.py | | Typos/values ( 30% slide changes | Regenerate |

Anti-Patterns

• DON'T use edit mode for layout changes (regenerate instead)
• DON'T skip visual type decisions (bullets are boring)
• DON'T edit > 30% of slides (regenerate instead)
• DON'T use hero-statement for content with 3+ items
• DON'T use tables for methodology/process flows
• DON'T use bullet lists for side-by-side comparisons

Requirements

• Python 3.10+
• python-pptx library

File Structure

.claude/skills/pptx-from-layouts/
  scripts/
    generate.py      # Outline → PPTX generation
    edit.py          # Surgical edits to existing decks
    validate.py      # Quality validation
    profile.py       # Template profiling
  references/
    layouts.md       # Template layout indices
  rules/
    visual-types.md  # Visual type selection guide
    typography.md    # Text formatting reference
    outline-format.md # Markdown syntax
  lib/               # Core library modules
  schemas/           # Pydantic schemas
templates/
  inner-chapter.pptx # Default template

Source & license

This open-source skill is cataloged on AgentStack and links to its original source — we do not rehost the code.

• Author: tristan-mcinnis
• Source: tristan-mcinnis/pptx-from-layouts-skill
• License: MIT

Install and usage instructions live in the source repository linked above.