Skill detail
pptx-generator
Generates, edits, and reads PowerPoint presentations with PptxGenJS, including a design system, slide types, and template-based XML editing.
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SKILL.md
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---
name: pptx-generator
description: "Generate, edit, and read PowerPoint presentations. Create from scratch with PptxGenJS (cover, TOC, content, section divider, summary slides), edit existing PPTX via XML workflows, or extract text with markitdown. Triggers: PPT, PPTX, PowerPoint, presentation, slide, deck, slides."
license: MIT
metadata:
version: "1.0"
category: productivity
sources:
- https://gitbrent.github.io/PptxGenJS/
- https://github.com/microsoft/markitdown
---
# PPTX Generator & Editor
## Overview
This skill handles all PowerPoint tasks: reading/analyzing existing presentations, editing template-based decks via XML manipulation, and creating presentations from scratch using PptxGenJS. It includes a complete design system (color palettes, fonts, style recipes) and detailed guidance for every slide type.
## Quick Reference
| Task | Approach |
|------|----------|
| Read/analyze content | `python -m markitdown presentation.pptx` |
| Edit or create from template | See [Editing Presentations](references/editing.md) |
| Create from scratch | See [Creating from Scratch](#creating-from-scratch-workflow) below |
| Item | Value |
|------|-------|
| **Dimensions** | 10" x 5.625" (LAYOUT_16x9) |
| **Colors** | 6-char hex without # (e.g., `"FF0000"`) |
| **English font** | Arial (default), or approved alternatives |
| **Chinese font** | Microsoft YaHei |
| **Page badge position** | x: 9.3", y: 5.1" |
| **Theme keys** | `primary`, `secondary`, `accent`, `light`, `bg` |
| **Shapes** | RECTANGLE, OVAL, LINE, ROUNDED_RECTANGLE |
| **Charts** | BAR, LINE, PIE, DOUGHNUT, SCATTER, BUBBLE, RADAR |
## Reference Files
| File | Contents |
|------|----------|
| [slide-types.md](references/slide-types.md) | 5 slide page types (Cover, TOC, Section Divider, Content, Summary) + additional layout patterns |
| [design-system.md](references/design-system.md) | Color palettes, font reference, style recipes (Sharp/Soft/Rounded/Pill), typography & spacing |
| [editing.md](references/editing.md) | Template-based editing workflow, XML manipulation, formatting rules, common pitfalls |
| [pitfalls.md](references/pitfalls.md) | QA process, common mistakes, critical PptxGenJS pitfalls |
| [pptxgenjs.md](references/pptxgenjs.md) | Complete PptxGenJS API reference |
---
## Reading Content
```bash
# Text extraction
python -m markitdown presentation.pptx
```
---
## Creating from Scratch — Workflow
**Use when no template or reference presentation is available.**
### Step 1: Research & Requirements
Search to understand user requirements — topic, audience, purpose, tone, content depth.
### Step 2: Select Color Palette & Fonts
Use the [Color Palette Reference](references/design-system.md#color-palette-reference) to select a palette matching the topic and audience. Use the [Font Reference](references/design-system.md#font-reference) to choose a font pairing.
### Step 3: Select Design Style
Use the [Style Recipes](references/design-system.md#style-recipes) to choose a visual style (Sharp, Soft, Rounded, or Pill) matching the presentation tone.
### Step 4: Plan Slide Outline
Classify **every slide** as exactly one of the [5 page types](references/slide-types.md). Plan the content and layout for each slide. Ensure visual variety — do NOT repeat the same layout across slides.
### Step 5: Generate Slide JS Files
Create one JS file per slide in `slides/` directory. Each file must export a synchronous `createSlide(pres, theme)` function. Follow the [Slide Output Format](#slide-output-format) and the type-specific guidance in [slide-types.md](references/slide-types.md). Generate up to 5 slides concurrently using subagents if available.
**Tell each subagent:**
1. File naming: `slides/slide-01.js`, `slides/slide-02.js`, etc.
2. Images go in: `slides/imgs/`
3. Final PPTX goes in: `slides/output/`
4. Dimensions: 10" x 5.625" (LAYOUT_16x9)
5. Fonts: Chinese = Microsoft YaHei, English = Arial (or approved alternative)
6. Colors: 6-char hex Read the full source on GitHub (opens external page)