What is pptx-from-layouts and how does it differ from other PowerPoint generators?

pptx-from-layouts is a Python-based Claude skill that generates PowerPoint decks from markdown outlines by using your template's actual slide master layouts and native placeholders. Unlike most tools that overlay text boxes on top of slide backgrounds, it maps semantic content to appropriate layouts, preserving professional design elements and avoiding conflicts with watermarks or decorative backgrounds.

How do I install pptx-from-layouts for Claude Code?

Clone the repository from GitHub, copy the .claude/skills/pptx-from-layouts folder to ~/.claude/skills/pptx-from-layouts, and install the single Python dependency with pip install python-pptx. Alternatively, paste the provided one-prompt installer into Claude Code, Codex, or OpenCode and the agent will handle setup, template configuration, and smoke testing automatically.

Is pptx-from-layouts free and open source?

Yes, pptx-from-layouts is completely free and released under the MIT license. It requires no API keys, has no usage fees, and works on any operating system with Python 3.10 or later installed.

What coding agents are compatible with pptx-from-layouts?

The skill is designed for Claude Code, Codex, OpenCode, and any other coding agent that supports the .claude/skills directory structure. The GitHub repository is tagged with claude, claude-code, codex, openai, and opencode for broad compatibility across agent platforms.

What is the outline format for generating presentations?

You write markdown with visual type declarations, specifying slide titles and layout types like hero-statement, then run the generate.py script with your outline file, output path, and template. The tool profiles your template's available layouts and maps your content to the best matching placeholders.

pptx-from-layouts

by tristan-mcinnis · Python · MIT License

Open Source Agent Skill Template-Native

Best for: Consultants, agencies, and teams with branded templates who need production decks from markdown outlines

Not for: Users without existing .pptx templates, or those needing real-time collaborative editing

How It Works

Unlike generators that treat templates as static backgrounds, pptx-from-layouts understands PowerPoint's architecture—profiling slide masters, mapping content to native placeholders, and preserving professional design integrity.

🔍

Template Profiling

Analyzes your .pptx file's slide master layouts and generates a matching config JSON for accurate content mapping.

🎯

Semantic Layout Matching

Maps markdown outline sections to the most appropriate template layout based on content type and structure.

📐

Native Placeholder Filling

Places content into proper PowerPoint placeholders instead of overlaying text boxes, preserving fonts, spacing, and design.

🛡️

Watermark & Design Preservation

Avoids conflicts with background designs, watermarks, and decorative elements that break with overlay-based approaches.

Installation

One dependency, two copy commands. Python 3.10+ required.

# Clone and install git clone https://github.com/tristan-mcinnis/pptx-from-layouts-skill.git cp -r pptx-from-layouts-skill/.claude/skills/pptx-from-layouts ~/.claude/skills/pptx-from-layouts pip install python-pptx # Profile your template python ~/.claude/skills/pptx-from-layouts/scripts/profile.py \ your-template.pptx --generate-config # Generate from outline python ~/.claude/skills/pptx-from-layouts/scripts/generate.py \ outline.md -o presentation.pptx --template your-template.pptx

Outline Format

Markdown with visual type declarations. The tool matches your semantic intent to template layouts.

# Slide 1: Project Overview **Visual: hero-statement** Transforming legacy infrastructure... # Slide 2: Market Analysis **Visual: two-column** - Left: TAM $4.2B - Right: 34% CAGR through 2028 # Slide 3: Timeline **Visual: process** Q1: Audit → Q2: Migrate → Q3: Validate