Skill Submission: pptx-from-layouts

[tristan-mcinnis]

Skill: pptx-from-layouts

Repository: https://github.com/tristan-mcinnis/pptx-from-layouts-skill

Category: tools (or productivity)

What it does

Generate consultant-quality PowerPoint presentations from markdown outlines using your template's actual slide master layouts — not text overlays.

The Problem it Solves

Most PowerPoint generation tools treat templates as backgrounds to overlay text on. They:

• Duplicate decorative slides and add text boxes on top
• Fight with background designs and watermarks
• Ignore the template's carefully designed slide layouts
• Produce amateur-looking results

How it's Different

pptx-from-layouts understands PowerPoint's architecture:

• Profiles your template's slide master layouts
• Maps semantic content to appropriate layouts
• Places content in proper placeholders
• Preserves your template's professional design

Features

• Semantic visual types (hero-statement, process-N-phase, comparison-N, cards-N, tables, etc.)
• Typography markers for rich formatting
• Template profiling for custom corporate templates
• Edit mode for surgical changes to existing decks
• Built-in quality validation

Commands

# Generate from outline
python scripts/generate.py outline.md -o deck.pptx

# Profile custom template
python scripts/profile.py template.pptx --generate-config

# Edit existing deck
python scripts/edit.py deck.pptx --replace '{"slide":3,"old":"2025","new":"2026"}'

# Validate output
python scripts/validate.py deck.pptx

Why it's valuable

Tested and scored against 32 other PowerPoint generation skills. Scored 95/100 — highest among all tested approaches. The key differentiator is proper use of slide master layouts instead of the common inventory/replace pattern.

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Happy to submit a PR if approved. Thanks for considering!