slide-deck
Generate professional slide deck images from content. Creates comprehensive outlines with style instructions, then generates individual slide images. Use when user asks to "create slides", "make a presentation", "generate deck", or "slide deck".
Design
Run this skill in the cloud
No local installation needed
All dependencies pre-installed
Secure isolated VM environment
Skill Documentation
# Slide Deck Generator
Transform content into professional slide deck with comprehensive outlines and generated slide images.
## Usage
```bash
# From markdown file
/slide-deck path/to/article.md
# With style preference
/slide-deck path/to/article.md --style corporate
/slide-deck path/to/article.md --style playful
/slide-deck path/to/article.md --style technical
# With audience specification
/slide-deck path/to/article.md --audience beginners
/slide-deck path/to/article.md --audience executives
# With language
/slide-deck path/to/article.md --lang zh
/slide-deck path/to/article.md --lang en
# Outline only (no image generation)
/slide-deck path/to/article.md --outline-only
# Direct content input
/slide-deck
[paste content]
```
## Options
| Option | Description |
|--------|-------------|
| `--style <name>` | Visual style preset (see Style Gallery) |
| `--audience <type>` | Target audience level |
| `--lang <code>` | Output language (en, zh, etc.) |
| `--slides <number>` | Target slide count (max 20) |
| `--outline-only` | Generate outline only, skip image generation |
## Style Gallery
### 1. `editorial` (Default)
Clean, sophisticated, minimalist
- **Aesthetic**: High-end journal, architectural blueprints
- **Colors**: Off-white background (#F8F7F5), dark slate text (#2F3542), blue accents (#007AFF)
- **Best for**: Thought leadership, research presentations
### 2. `corporate`
Professional, trustworthy, polished
- **Aesthetic**: Clean lines, structured layouts, business-appropriate
- **Colors**: Navy (#1E3A5F), white, gold accents (#C9A227)
- **Best for**: Business presentations, investor decks, reports
### 3. `technical`
Precise, data-driven, analytical
- **Aesthetic**: Blueprint style, schematic diagrams, grid layouts
- **Colors**: Dark charcoal (#1A1A2E), cyan accents (#00D4FF), light gray text (#E8E8E8)
- **Best for**: Technical documentation, engineering presentations
### 4. `playful`
Bold, energetic, engaging
- **Aesthetic**: Dynamic shapes, vibrant colors, creative layouts
- **Colors**: Warm white (#FFFDF7), deep purple (#4A1D96), coral (#FF6B6B)
- **Best for**: Creative pitches, educational content, workshops
### 5. `minimal`
Ultra-clean, zen-like, focused
- **Aesthetic**: Maximum whitespace, single focal points, elegant typography
- **Colors**: Black, white, single accent color
- **Best for**: Keynotes, philosophical content, product launches
### 6. `storytelling`
Narrative-driven, cinematic, immersive
- **Aesthetic**: Full-bleed imagery, dramatic typography, chapter-like flow
- **Colors**: Rich charcoal (#2D2D2D), warm white (#FAF9F6), gold (#D4AF37)
- **Best for**: Case studies, journey narratives, brand stories
### 7. `warm`
Cozy, healing, hand-drawn illustration style
- **Aesthetic**: Soft hand-drawn illustrations, cozy and healing atmosphere, gentle curves, watercolor textures
- **Colors**: Cream gradient background (#FFF8E7 → #FFE4C4), warm brown text (#5D4037), soft coral accents (#FF8A80)
- **Best for**: Personal growth, wellness, emotional content, lifestyle topics
### 8. `retro-flat`
Flat vector illustration with retro palette
- **Aesthetic**: Flat vector with clear black outlines (monoline), geometric simplification, toy-model cuteness, NO gradients
- **Colors**: Retro muted palette - dusty pink (#E8B4B8), sage green (#A8C686), mustard yellow (#E8B84A), off-white background (#F5F0E6)
- **Best for**: Tutorials, explainers, product introductions, educational content
### 9. `notion`
Minimalist hand-drawn line art, intellectual
- **Aesthetic**: Simple line doodles with hand-drawn wobble, geometric shapes, maximum whitespace, SaaS product feel
- **Colors**: Black outlines (#1A1A1A), white background (#FFFFFF), 1-2 pastel accents (blue #A8D4F0, yellow #F9E79F)
- **Best for**: Knowledge sharing, concept explanations, productivity content, SaaS presentations
## Audience Presets
| Audience | Approach |
|----------|----------|
| `beginners` | Step-by-step, more context, simpler visuals |
| `intermediate` | Balanced detail, some assumed knowledge |
| `experts` | Dense information, technical depth, less hand-holding |
| `executives` | High-level insights, key metrics, strategic focus |
| `general` | Accessible language, broad appeal, clear takeaways |
## File Management
### With Article Path
```
path/to/
├── article.md
└── slide-deck/
├── outline.md
├── prompts/
│ ├── 01-cover.md
│ ├── 02-content-1.md
│ └── ...
├── 01-cover.png
├── 02-content-1.png
└── ...
```
### Without Article Path
```
./slide-deck-outputs/YYYY-MM-DD/[topic-slug]/
├── outline.md
├── prompts/
│ ├── 01-cover.md
│ └── ...
├── 01-cover.png
└── ...
```
## Workflow
### Step 1: Analyze Content & Select Style
1. Read source content
2. If `--style` specified, use that style
3. Otherwise, analyze content for style signals:
| Content Signals | Selected Style |
|----------------|----------------|
| AI, coding, tech, digital, algorithm, data | `technical` |
| Business, strategy, investment, corporate | `corporate` |
| Personal story, journey, narrative, emotion | `storytelling` |
| Simple, zen, focus, essential, one idea | `minimal` |
| Fun, creative, workshop, educational | `playful` |
| Research, analysis, thought leadership | `editorial` |
| Wellness, healing, cozy, self-care, lifestyle, comfort | `warm` |
| Tutorial, explainer, how-to, beginner, product, guide | `retro-flat` |
| Knowledge, concept, productivity, SaaS, notion, intellectual | `notion` |
4. Extract key information:
- Core narrative and key messages
- Important data points and statistics
- Logical flow and structure
- Target audience signals
### Step 2: Generate Outline
Create outline with `STYLE_INSTRUCTIONS` block and slide specifications.
**Outline Format**:
```markdown
# Slide Deck Outline: [Topic]
**Source**: [source file or "Direct input"]
**Style**: [selected style]
**Audience**: [target audience]
**Language**: [output language]
**Slide Count**: N slides
**Generated**: YYYY-MM-DD HH:mm
---
<STYLE_INSTRUCTIONS>
Design Aesthetic: [Overall style description]
Background Color: [Description and Hex Code]
Primary Font: [Font name for Headlines]
Secondary Font: [Font name for Body copy]
Color Palette:
Primary Text Color: [Hex Code]
Primary Accent Color: [Hex Code]
Visual Elements: [Lines, shapes, imagery style, etc.]
</STYLE_INSTRUCTIONS>
---
## Slide 1: [Descriptive Title]
**Position**: Cover
**Filename**: 01-cover.png
// NARRATIVE GOAL
[Storytelling purpose within the overall arc]
// KEY CONTENT
Headline: [Main message - narrative, not "Title: Subtitle" format]
Sub-headline: [Supporting context]
Body:
- [Key point 1 with specific data from source]
- [Key point 2 with specific data from source]
// VISUAL
[Detailed description of imagery, charts, graphics, or abstract visuals]
// LAYOUT
[Composition, hierarchy, spatial arrangement, focus points]
---
## Slide 2: [First Content]
...
## Slide N: [Back Cover]
...
```
**Required Slide Structure**:
1. **Slide 1**: Cover Slide (poster-style, heroic typography)
2. **Slides 2-N-1**: Content slides (consistent internal style)
3. **Slide N**: Back Cover (closing statement, not "Thank You")
### Step 3: Save Outline
Save outline as `outline.md` in target directory.
If `--outline-only` flag is set, stop here.
### Step 4: Create Prompt Files
For each slide, create a style-specific prompt file.
**Prompt Format**:
```markdown
Slide theme: [slide title]
Style: [style name]
Position: [cover/content/back-cover]
Visual composition:
- Main visual: [style-appropriate description from VISUAL section]
- Layout: [from LAYOUT section]
- Decorative elements: [style-specific decorations]
Color scheme:
- Background: [style background color]
- Primary text: [style text color]
- Accent: [style accent color]
Text content:
- Headline: [headline text]
- Sub-headline: [sub-headline if any]
- Body points: [bullet points if any]
Style notes: [specific style characteristics to emphasize]
```
### Step 5: Generate Images
For each slide, generate using:
```bash
/gemini-web --promptfiles [SKILL_ROOT]/skills/slide-deck/prompts/system.md [TARGET_DIR]/prompts/01-cover.md --image [TARGET_DIR]/01-cover.png
```
Generation flow:
1. Generate images sequentially
2. After each image, output progress: "Generated X/N"
3. On failure, auto-retry once
4. If retry fails, log reason, continue to next
### Step 6: Completion Report
```
Slide Deck Generated!
Topic: [topic]
Style: [style name]
Audience: [audience]
Location: [directory path]
Slides: N total
- 01-cover.png ✓ Cover
- 02-content-1.png ✓ Content
- 03-content-2.png ✓ Content
- ...
- 0N-back-cover.png ✓ Back Cover
Outline: outline.md
[If any failures]
Failed:
- 0X-slide-name.png: [failure reason]
```
## Style Reference Details
### editorial
```
Design Aesthetic: Clean, sophisticated, minimalist editorial inspired by architectural blueprints and high-end technical journals
Background Color: Subtle textured off-white #F8F7F5
Primary Font: Neue Haas Grotesk Display Pro (bold headlines)
Secondary Font: Tiempos Text (body copy, annotations)
Primary Text Color: Dark slate grey #2F3542
Primary Accent Color: Intelligent blue #007AFF
Visual Elements: Thin precise line work, schematic diagrams, clean vectors, spacious layouts
```
### corporate
```
Design Aesthetic: Professional, trustworthy, structured business presentation
Background Color: Clean white #FFFFFF with navy accents
Primary Font: Inter (headlines)
Secondary Font: Source Sans Pro (body)
Primary Text Color: Navy #1E3A5F
Primary Accent Color: Gold #C9A227
Visual Elements: Clean charts, professional icons, structured grids, subtle shadows
```
### technical
```
Design Aesthetic: Blueprint-style, precise, data-driven analytical presentation
Background Color: Dark charcoal #1A1A2E
Primary Font: JetBrains Mono (headlines)
Secondary Font: IBM Plex Sans (body)
Primary Text Color: Light gray #E8E8E8
Primary Accent Color: Cyan #00D4FF
Visual Elements: Grid overlays, circuit patterns, data visualizations, monospace code blocks
```
### playful
```
Design Aesthetic: Bold, energetic, creative with dynamic visual interest
Background Color: Warm white #FFFDF7
Primary Font: Poppins (headlines)
Secondary Font: Nunito (body)
Primary Text Color: Deep purple #4A1D96
Primary Accent Color: Vibrant coral #FF6B6B
Visual Elements: Rounded shapes, gradients, illustrations, dynamic compositions, bright pops
```
### minimal
```
Design Aesthetic: Ultra-clean, zen-like focus with elegant restraint
Background Color: Pure white #FFFFFF
Primary Font: Helvetica Neue (headlines)
Secondary Font: Garamond (body)
Primary Text Color: Pure black #000000
Primary Accent Color: Single accent (content-derived)
Visual Elements: Maximum whitespace, single focal points, hairline rules, elegant typography
```
### storytelling
```
Design Aesthetic: Cinematic, narrative-driven with immersive visual flow
Background Color: Rich charcoal #2D2D2D or full-bleed imagery
Primary Font: Playfair Display (headlines)
Secondary Font: Lora (body)
Primary Text Color: Warm white #FAF9F6
Primary Accent Color: Warm gold #D4AF37
Visual Elements: Full-bleed photos, dramatic typography, chapter markers, emotional imagery
```
### warm
```
Design Aesthetic: Cozy healing hand-drawn illustration style, soft sketch lines, warm and comforting atmosphere
Background Color: Cream gradient #FFF8E7 → #FFE4C4
Primary Font: Rounded hand-drawn style lettering
Secondary Font: Soft serif hand lettering
Primary Text Color: Warm brown #5D4037
Primary Accent Color: Soft coral #FF8A80, Peachy pink #FFAB91
Visual Elements: Soft watercolor textures, gentle curves, cozy illustrations, warm lighting, hearts and stars, plant motifs, cute characters
```
### retro-flat
```
Design Aesthetic: Flat vector illustration with clear uniform-width black outlines, geometric simplification, toy-model cuteness
Background Color: Off-white #F5F0E6, soft cream
Primary Font: Bold geometric sans-serif with black outline
Secondary Font: Clean sans-serif
Primary Text Color: Black #000000 (clean outlines)
Primary Accent Color: Retro muted palette - Dusty pink #E8B4B8, Sage green #A8C686, Mustard yellow #E8B84A, Muted blue #7BA7BC
Visual Elements: Clear black monoline outlines (uniform width), flat color fills with NO gradients, geometric simplified shapes, toy-like proportions, minimal shadows, vintage badge style, halftone dots optional
Style Rules: MUST use clear black outlines on all elements, NO 3D effects, NO gradients, simple flat color blocks only
```
### notion
```
Design Aesthetic: Minimalist hand-drawn line art with intellectual SaaS product feel, Notion-style doodles
Background Color: Pure white #FFFFFF, off-white #FAFAFA
Primary Font: Clean hand-drawn lettering, simple sans-serif
Secondary Font: Simple sans-serif labels
Primary Text Color: Black #1A1A1A, dark gray #4A4A4A
Primary Accent Color: Pastel blue #A8D4F0, Pastel yellow #F9E79F, Pastel pink #FADBD8
Visual Elements: Simple line doodles with hand-drawn wobble effect, geometric shapes, stick figures, maximum whitespace, single-weight ink lines
Style Rules: Single color lines (black/dark gray), 1-2 pastel accents only, NO complex gradients, NO heavy shadows, imperfect hand-drawn feel
```
## Notes
### Design Philosophy
- Deck is designed for **reading and sharing**, not live presentation
- Structure should be self-explanatory without a presenter
- Include enough context for visuals to be understood standalone
- Err on the side of audience having **more expertise** than expected
### Content Rules
- Maximum 20 slides per deck
- Every data point must trace to source material
- All details in prompts - image generator has no access to source
### Style Rules
- Avoid AI-generated clichés ("It wasn't just X, it was Y")
- Use narrative headlines, not "Title: Subtitle" format
- Cover and Back Cover should be visually distinct (poster-style)
- Back Cover should be meaningful closure, not "Thank You" or "Questions?"
### Prohibited
- Never include photorealistic images of prominent individuals
- Never include placeholder slides for author name, date, etc.
### Image Generation
- Image generation typically takes 10-30 seconds per slide
- Auto-retry once on generation failure
- Use cartoon alternatives for sensitive public figures
- Output language matches content language
- Maintain style consistency across all slides Published by JimLiu
This skill works with Claude Code, Cursor, Windsurf, Gemini CLI, and other AI coding agents.