ppt-template-creator

The saved excerpt is a snapshot from when this skill was listed. The external source remains the complete and most current version.

---
name: ppt-template-creator
description: Creates self-contained PPT template SKILLS (not presentations) from user-provided PowerPoint templates. Use ONLY when a user wants to create a reusable skill from their template. For creating actual presentations, use the pptx skill instead.
---

# PPT Template Creator

**This skill creates SKILLS, not presentations.** Use this when a user wants to turn their PowerPoint template into a reusable skill that can generate presentations later. If the user just wants to create a presentation, use the `pptx` skill instead.

The generated skill includes:
- `assets/template.pptx` - the template file
- `SKILL.md` - complete instructions (no reference to this meta skill needed)

**For general skill-building best practices**, refer to the `skill-creator` skill. This skill focuses on PPT-specific patterns.

## Workflow

1. **User provides template** (.pptx or .potx)
2. **Analyze template** - extract layouts, placeholders, dimensions
3. **Initialize skill** - use the `skill-creator` skill to set up the skill structure
4. **Add template** - copy .pptx to `assets/template.pptx`
5. **Write SKILL.md** - follow template below with PPT-specific details
6. **Create example** - generate sample presentation to validate
7. **Package** - use the `skill-creator` skill to package into a .skill file

## Step 2: Analyze Template

**CRITICAL: Extract precise placeholder positions** - this determines content area boundaries.

```python
from pptx import Presentation

prs = Presentation(template_path)
print(f"Dimensions: {prs.slide_width/914400:.2f}\" x {prs.slide_height/914400:.2f}\"")
print(f"Layouts: {len(prs.slide_layouts)}")

for idx, layout in enumerate(prs.slide_layouts):
    print(f"\n[{idx}] {layout.name}:")
    for ph in layout.placeholders:
        try:
            ph_idx = ph.placeholder_format.idx
            ph_type = ph.placeholder_format.type
            # IMPORTANT: Extract exact positions in inches
            left = ph.left / 914400
            top = ph.top / 914400
            width = ph.width / 914400
            height = ph.height / 914400
            print(f"    idx={ph_idx}, type={ph_type}")
            print(f"        x={left:.2f}\", y={top:.2f}\", w={width:.2f}\", h={height:.2f}\"")
        except:
            pass
```

**Key measurements to document:**
- **Title position**: Where does the title placeholder sit?
- **Subtitle/description**: Where is the subtitle line?
- **Footer placeholders**: Where do footers/sources appear?
- **Content area**: The space BETWEEN subtitle and footer is your content area

### Finding the True Content Start Position

**CRITICAL:** The content area does NOT always start immediately after the subtitle placeholder. Many templates have a visual border, line, or reserved space between the subtitle and content area.

**Best approach:** Look at Layout 2 or similar "content" layouts that have an OBJECT placeholder - this placeholder's `y` position indicates where content should actually start.

```python
# Find the OBJECT placeholder to determine true content start
for idx, layout in enumerate(prs.slide_layouts):
    for ph in layout.placeholders:
        try:
            if ph.placeholder_format.type == 7:  # OBJECT type
                top = ph.top / 914400
                print(f"Layout [{idx}] {layout.name}: OBJECT starts at y={top:.2f}\"")
                # This y value is where your content should start!
        except:
            pass
```

**Example:** A template might have:
- Subtitle ending at y=1.38"
- But OBJECT placeholder starting at y=1.90"
- The gap (0.52") is reserved for a border/line - **do not place content there**

Use the OBJECT placeholder's `y` position as your content start, not the subtitle's end position.

## Step 5: Write SKILL.md

The generated skill should have this structure:
```
[company]-ppt-template/
├── SKILL.md
└── assets/
    └── template.pptx
```

### Generated SKILL.md Template

The generated SKILL.md must be **self-contained**