PowerPoint

Create professional PowerPoint presentations programmatically using python-pptx.

Overview

This skill enables creation of .pptx files with:

• Title, section, content, and closing slides
• Bullet points with custom markers
• Visual accents (bars, lines, backgrounds)
• Images, tables, and logos
• Custom color schemes and fonts

File Management

All temporary files go in /tmp/claude/pptx-project/ to avoid filesystem clutter.

Before starting, ask where to save the final .pptx:

• Desktop: ~/Desktop/presentation.pptx
• Downloads: ~/Downloads/presentation.pptx
• Current project directory
• A specific path they provide

Quick Start Workflow

1. Set Up Environment

mkdir -p /tmp/claude/pptx-project && cd /tmp/claude/pptx-project
uv init && uv add python-pptx Pillow

2. Create Script

Write or adapt a script based on user requirements. Use scripts/create_presentation.py as reference.

3. Generate and Deliver

cd /tmp/claude/pptx-project
uv run python create_presentation.py ~/Desktop/presentation.pptx

4. Cleanup

rm -rf /tmp/claude/pptx-project

Design Principles

Avoid Common Pitfalls

DO NOT create "pastel and bubbly" designs. Common mistakes:

• Soft, desaturated colors (cream, light teal, soft pink)
• Decorative circles and rounded shapes
• Too much visual clutter

DO create bold, professional designs:

• Strong, saturated primary colors
• Sharp rectangles and clean lines
• High contrast between text and background
• Generous whitespace

Recommended Design Elements

1. Vertical accent bar on title slides (left edge)
2. Solid color backgrounds for section dividers (use primary color)
3. Top border line on content slides
4. Square bullet markers instead of text bullets
5. Dark background for closing slides (contrast with content)

Core Imports

from pptx import Presentation
from pptx.util import Inches, Pt
from pptx.dml.color import RGBColor
from pptx.enum.text import PP_ALIGN
from pptx.enum.shapes import MSO_SHAPE  # Required for rectangles/shapes

Essential Patterns

Setting Background Color

def add_background(slide, color: RGBColor):
    """Set slide background to solid color."""
    fill = slide.background.fill
    fill.solid()
    fill.fore_color.rgb = color

Adding Accent Shapes

# Vertical accent bar (title slides)
bar = slide.shapes.add_shape(
    MSO_SHAPE.RECTANGLE,
    left=Inches(0), top=Inches(0),
    width=Inches(0.35), height=Style.SLIDE_HEIGHT
)
bar.fill.solid()
bar.fill.fore_color.rgb = Style.PRIMARY
bar.line.fill.background()  # Remove border

# Horizontal accent line
line = slide.shapes.add_shape(
    MSO_SHAPE.RECTANGLE,
    left=Inches(1), top=Inches(4.5),
    width=Inches(2), height=Inches(0.04)
)
line.fill.solid()
line.fill.fore_color.rgb = Style.ACCENT
line.line.fill.background()

Square Bullet Markers

# Instead of text bullets, use colored squares
for i, bullet in enumerate(bullets):
    y_pos = 1.8 + (i * 1.0)

    # Square marker
    marker = slide.shapes.add_shape(
        MSO_SHAPE.RECTANGLE,
        left=Inches(0.8), top=Inches(y_pos + 0.12),
        width=Inches(0.12), height=Inches(0.12)
    )
    marker.fill.solid()
    marker.fill.fore_color.rgb = Style.PRIMARY
    marker.line.fill.background()

    # Text to the right of marker
    text_box = slide.shapes.add_textbox(
        Inches(1.15), Inches(y_pos), Inches(11), Inches(0.8)
    )
    # ... style text

Slide Types

The template script supports these slide types:

| Type | Use Case | Visual Style | |------|----------|--------------| | title | Opening slide | White bg, vertical accent bar, horizontal line | | section | Section dividers | Solid primary bg, white text, accent line | | content | Bullet point slides | White bg, top border line, square bullets | | closing | Thank you / contact | Dark bg, centered text, accent line | | blank | Custom layouts | White bg, optional title |

Style Configuration

class Style:
    # Use bold, saturated colors
    PRIMARY = RGBColor(0, 82, 147)         # Strong blue
    SECONDARY = RGBColor(214, 102, 75)     # Coral accent
    ACCENT = RGBColor(218, 175, 65)        # Gold highlight

    # Clean backgrounds
    BG_WHITE = RGBColor(255, 255, 255)
    BG_DARK = RGBColor(33, 37, 41)

    # Text colors
    TEXT_PRIMARY = RGBColor(33, 37, 41)
    TEXT_ON_DARK = RGBColor(255, 255, 255)

    # Safe fonts
    TITLE_FONT = "Arial"
    BODY_FONT = "Arial"

Workflow Example

When user asks: "Create a presentation about Q4 results"

1. Ask where to save final .pptx
2. Gather content (title, sections, bullets)
3. Ask about brand colors or use professional defaults
4. Set up in temp: cd /tmp/claude/pptx-project && uv init && uv add python-pptx
5. Write script adapting template patterns
6. Generate and save to user's location
7. Cleanup temp directory

Bundled Resources

Scripts

• scripts/create_presentation.py - Complete template with all slide types

References

• references/layouts.md - Layout indices and placeholder details
• references/styling.md - Extended color schemes and styling patterns

Limitations

• No animations or transitions (static slides only)
• Limited master slide customization
• Complex charts need additional work
• For heavy customization, start from a .pptx template

Tips

• Always use layout index 6 (Blank) for full positioning control
• Use Inches() and Pt() for consistent sizing
• Test in PowerPoint, Google Slides, and Keynote for compatibility
• Keep slides simple: 3-5 bullets max, large readable fonts
• Prefer shapes (MSO_SHAPE.RECTANGLE) over text characters for bullets