/pptx-generator

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

# 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 without # (e.g. `"FF0000"`) 7. Must use the theme object contract (see [Theme Object Contract](#theme-object-contract)) 8. Must follow the [PptxGenJS API reference](references/pptxgenjs.md)

Step 6: Compile into Final PPTX

Create `slides/compile.js` to combine all slide modules:

// slides/compile.js
const pptxgen = require('pptxgenjs');
const pres = new pptxgen();
pres.layout = 'LAYOUT_16x9';

const theme = {
  primary: "22223b",    // dark color for backgrounds/text
  secondary: "4a4e69",  // secondary accent
  accent: "9a8c98",     // highlight color
  light: "c9ada7",      // light accent
  bg: "f2e9e4"          // background color
};

for (let i = 1; i <= 12; i++) {  // adjust count as needed
  const num = String(i).padStart(2, '0');
  const slideModule = require(`./slide-${num}.js`);
  slideModule.createSlide(pres, theme);
}

pres.writeFile({ fileName: './output/presentation.pptx' });

Run with: `cd slides && node compile.js`

Step 7: QA (Required)

See [QA Process](references/pitfalls.md#qa-process).

Output Structure

slides/
├── slide-01.js          # Slide modules
├── slide-02.js
├── ...
├── imgs/                # Images used in slides
└── output/              # Final artifacts
    └── presentation.pptx

---

Slide Output Format

Each slide is a **complete, runnable JS file**:

// slide-01.js
const pptxgen = require("pptxgenjs");

const slideConfig = {
  type: 'cover',
  index: 1,
  title: 'Presentation Title'
};

// MUST be synchronous (not async)
function createSlide(pres, theme) {
  const slide = pres.addSlide();
  slide.background = { color: theme.bg };

  slide.addText(slideConfig.title, {
    x: 0.5, y: 2, w: 9, h: 1.2,
    fontSize: 48, fontFace: "Arial",
    color: theme.primary, bold: true, align: "center"
  });

  return slide;
}

// Standalone preview - use slide-specific filename
if (require.main === module) {
  const pres = new pptxgen();
  pres.layout = 'LAYOUT_16x9';
  const theme = {