Ppt Template Creator

by anthropics574ed3624aebNo license39K starsListed Oct 8, 2026Updated Oct 8, 2026Repository updated 2 weeks ago

Creates self-contained PPT template SKILLS (not presentations) from user-provided PowerPoint templates. Use ONLY when a user wants to create a reusable skill from their template. For creating actual presentations, use the pptx skill instead.

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AI-generated overview

Turns a user's PowerPoint template into a reusable skill that generates branded presentations.

What it does: This skill guides the creation of a self-contained PPT template skill from a user-supplied .pptx or .potx file. It walks through analyzing layouts and placeholder positions, initializing the skill structure, bundling the template in assets, writing a self-contained SKILL.md, generating a sample presentation, and packaging the result. The deliverable is a reusable skill folder, not a presentation itself.
When to use it: Use it when a user wants to convert their own PowerPoint template into a reusable skill for later deck generation. It is not for producing an actual presentation; that is directed to the pptx skill.
Requirements: Requires a user-provided PowerPoint template (.pptx or .potx) and the python-pptx library for analysis. It relies on the skill-creator skill for structure setup and packaging. It ships no scripts; it is instructions only.

PPT Template Creator

This skill creates SKILLS, not presentations. Use this when a user wants to turn their PowerPoint template into a reusable skill that can generate presentations later. If the user just wants to create a presentation, use the pptx skill instead.

The generated skill includes:

assets/template.pptx - the template file
SKILL.md - complete instructions (no reference to this meta skill needed)

For general skill-building best practices, refer to the skill-creator skill. This skill focuses on PPT-specific patterns.

Workflow

User provides template (.pptx or .potx)
Analyze template - extract layouts, placeholders, dimensions
Initialize skill - use the skill-creator skill to set up the skill structure
Add template - copy .pptx to assets/template.pptx
Write SKILL.md - follow template below with PPT-specific details
Create example - generate sample presentation to validate
Package - use the skill-creator skill to package into a .skill file

Step 2: Analyze Template

CRITICAL: Extract precise placeholder positions - this determines content area boundaries.

python

from pptx import Presentation
prs = Presentation(template_path)print(f"Dimensions: {prs.slide_width/914400:.2f}\" x {prs.slide_height/914400:.2f}\"")print(f"Layouts: {len(prs.slide_layouts)}")
for idx, layout in enumerate(prs.slide_layouts):    print(f"\n[{idx}] {layout.name}:")    for ph in layout.placeholders:        try:            ph_idx = ph.placeholder_format.idx            ph_type = ph.placeholder_format.type            # IMPORTANT: Extract exact positions in inches            left = ph.left / 914400            top = ph.top / 914400            width = ph.width / 914400            height = ph.height / 914400            print(f"    idx={ph_idx}, type={ph_type}")            print(f"        x={left:.2f}\", y={top:.2f}\", w={width:.2f}\", h={height:.2f}\"")        except:            pass

from pptx import Presentation
prs = Presentation(template_path)print(f"Dimensions: {prs.slide_width/914400:.2f}\" x {prs.slide_height/914400:.2f}\"")print(f"Layouts: {len(prs.slide_layouts)}")
for idx, layout in enumerate(prs.slide_layouts):    print(f"\n[{idx}] {layout.name}:")    for ph in layout.placeholders:        try:            ph_idx = ph.placeholder_format.idx            ph_type = ph.placeholder_format.type            # IMPORTANT: Extract exact positions in inches            left = ph.left / 914400            top = ph.top / 914400            width = ph.width / 914400            height = ph.height / 914400            print(f"    idx={ph_idx}, type={ph_type}")            print(f"        x={left:.2f}\", y={top:.2f}\", w={width:.2f}\", h={height:.2f}\"")        except:            pass

Key measurements to document:

Title position: Where does the title placeholder sit?
Subtitle/description: Where is the subtitle line?
Footer placeholders: Where do footers/sources appear?
Content area: The space BETWEEN subtitle and footer is your content area

Finding the True Content Start Position

CRITICAL: The content area does NOT always start immediately after the subtitle placeholder. Many templates have a visual border, line, or reserved space between the subtitle and content area.

Best approach: Look at Layout 2 or similar "content" layouts that have an OBJECT placeholder - this placeholder's y position indicates where content should actually start.

python

# Find the OBJECT placeholder to determine true content startfor idx, layout in enumerate(prs.slide_layouts):    for ph in layout.placeholders:        try:            if ph.placeholder_format.type == 7:  # OBJECT type                top = ph.top / 914400                print(f"Layout [{idx}] {layout.name}: OBJECT starts at y={top:.2f}\"")                # This y value is where your content should start!        except:            pass

# Find the OBJECT placeholder to determine true content startfor idx, layout in enumerate(prs.slide_layouts):    for ph in layout.placeholders:        try:            if ph.placeholder_format.type == 7:  # OBJECT type                top = ph.top / 914400                print(f"Layout [{idx}] {layout.name}: OBJECT starts at y={top:.2f}\"")                # This y value is where your content should start!        except:            pass

Example: A template might have:

Subtitle ending at y=1.38"
But OBJECT placeholder starting at y=1.90"
The gap (0.52") is reserved for a border/line - do not place content there

Use the OBJECT placeholder's y position as your content start, not the subtitle's end position.

Step 5: Write SKILL.md

The generated skill should have this structure:

Generated SKILL.md Template

The generated SKILL.md must be self-contained with all instructions embedded. Use this template, filling in the bracketed values from your analysis:

markdown

---name: [company]-ppt-templatedescription: [Company] PowerPoint template for creating presentations. Use when creating [Company]-branded pitch decks, board materials, or client presentations.---
# [Company] PPT Template
Template: `assets/template.pptx` ([WIDTH]" x [HEIGHT]", [N] layouts)
## Creating Presentations
```pythonfrom pptx import Presentation
prs = Presentation("path/to/skill/assets/template.pptx")
# DELETE all existing slides firstwhile len(prs.slides) > 0:    rId = prs.slides._sldIdLst[0].rId    prs.part.drop_rel(rId)    del prs.slides._sldIdLst[0]
# Add slides from layoutsslide = prs.slides.add_slide(prs.slide_layouts[LAYOUT_IDX])```
## Key Layouts
| Index | Name | Use For ||-------|------|---------|| [0] | [Layout Name] | [Cover/title slide] || [N] | [Layout Name] | [Content with bullets] || [N] | [Layout Name] | [Two-column layout] |
## Placeholder Mapping
**CRITICAL: Include exact positions (x, y coordinates) for each placeholder.**
### Layout [N]: [Name]| idx | Type | Position | Use ||-----|------|----------|-----|| [idx] | TITLE (1) | y=[Y]" | Slide title || [idx] | BODY (2) | y=[Y]" | Subtitle/description || [idx] | BODY (2) | y=[Y]" | Footer || [idx] | BODY (2) | y=[Y]" | Source/notes |
### Content Area Boundaries
**Document the safe content area for custom shapes/tables/charts:**
```Content Area (for Layout [N]):- Left margin: [X]" (content starts here)- Top: [Y]" (below subtitle placeholder)- Width: [W]"- Height: [H]" (ends before footer)
For 4-quadrant layouts:- Left column: x=[X]", width=[W]"- Right column: x=[X]", width=[W]"- Top row: y=[Y]", height=[H]"- Bottom row: y=[Y]", height=[H]"```
**Why this matters:** Custom content (textboxes, tables, charts) must stay within these boundaries to avoid overlapping with template placeholders like titles, footers, and source lines.
## Filling Content
**Do NOT add manual bullet characters** - slide master handles formatting.
```python# Fill titlefor shape in slide.shapes:    if hasattr(shape, 'placeholder_format'):        if shape.placeholder_format.type == 1:  # TITLE            shape.text = "Slide Title"
# Fill content with hierarchy (level 0 = header, level 1 = bullet)for shape in slide.shapes:    if hasattr(shape, 'placeholder_format'):        idx = shape.placeholder_format.idx        if idx == [CONTENT_IDX]:            tf = shape.text_frame            for para in tf.paragraphs:                para.clear()
            content = [                ("Section Header", 0),                ("First bullet point", 1),                ("Second bullet point", 1),            ]
            tf.paragraphs[0].text = content[0][0]            tf.paragraphs[0].level = content[0][1]            for text, level in content[1:]:                p = tf.add_paragraph()                p.text = text                p.level = level```
## Example: Cover Slide
```pythonslide = prs.slides.add_slide(prs.slide_layouts[[COVER_IDX]])for shape in slide.shapes:    if hasattr(shape, 'placeholder_format'):        idx = shape.placeholder_format.idx        if idx == [TITLE_IDX]:            shape.text = "Company Name"        elif idx == [SUBTITLE_IDX]:            shape.text = "Presentation Title | Date"```
## Example: Content Slide
```pythonslide = prs.slides.add_slide(prs.slide_layouts[[CONTENT_IDX]])for shape in slide.shapes:    if hasattr(shape, 'placeholder_format'):        ph_type = shape.placeholder_format.type        idx = shape.placeholder_format.idx        if ph_type == 1:            shape.text = "Executive Summary"        elif idx == [BODY_IDX]:            tf = shape.text_frame            for para in tf.paragraphs:                para.clear()            content = [                ("Key Findings", 0),                ("Revenue grew 40% YoY to $50M", 1),                ("Expanded to 3 new markets", 1),                ("Recommendation", 0),                ("Proceed with strategic initiative", 1),            ]            tf.paragraphs[0].text = content[0][0]            tf.paragraphs[0].level = content[0][1]            for text, level in content[1:]:                p = tf.add_paragraph()                p.text = text                p.level = level```

---name: [company]-ppt-templatedescription: [Company] PowerPoint template for creating presentations. Use when creating [Company]-branded pitch decks, board materials, or client presentations.---
# [Company] PPT Template
Template: `assets/template.pptx` ([WIDTH]" x [HEIGHT]", [N] layouts)
## Creating Presentations
```pythonfrom pptx import Presentation
prs = Presentation("path/to/skill/assets/template.pptx")
# DELETE all existing slides firstwhile len(prs.slides) > 0:    rId = prs.slides._sldIdLst[0].rId    prs.part.drop_rel(rId)    del prs.slides._sldIdLst[0]
# Add slides from layoutsslide = prs.slides.add_slide(prs.slide_layouts[LAYOUT_IDX])```
## Key Layouts
| Index | Name | Use For ||-------|------|---------|| [0] | [Layout Name] | [Cover/title slide] || [N] | [Layout Name] | [Content with bullets] || [N] | [Layout Name] | [Two-column layout] |
## Placeholder Mapping
**CRITICAL: Include exact positions (x, y coordinates) for each placeholder.**
### Layout [N]: [Name]| idx | Type | Position | Use ||-----|------|----------|-----|| [idx] | TITLE (1) | y=[Y]" | Slide title || [idx] | BODY (2) | y=[Y]" | Subtitle/description || [idx] | BODY (2) | y=[Y]" | Footer || [idx] | BODY (2) | y=[Y]" | Source/notes |
### Content Area Boundaries
**Document the safe content area for custom shapes/tables/charts:**
```Content Area (for Layout [N]):- Left margin: [X]" (content starts here)- Top: [Y]" (below subtitle placeholder)- Width: [W]"- Height: [H]" (ends before footer)
For 4-quadrant layouts:- Left column: x=[X]", width=[W]"- Right column: x=[X]", width=[W]"- Top row: y=[Y]", height=[H]"- Bottom row: y=[Y]", height=[H]"```
**Why this matters:** Custom content (textboxes, tables, charts) must stay within these boundaries to avoid overlapping with template placeholders like titles, footers, and source lines.
## Filling Content
**Do NOT add manual bullet characters** - slide master handles formatting.
```python# Fill titlefor shape in slide.shapes:    if hasattr(shape, 'placeholder_format'):        if shape.placeholder_format.type == 1:  # TITLE            shape.text = "Slide Title"
# Fill content with hierarchy (level 0 = header, level 1 = bullet)for shape in slide.shapes:    if hasattr(shape, 'placeholder_format'):        idx = shape.placeholder_format.idx        if idx == [CONTENT_IDX]:            tf = shape.text_frame            for para in tf.paragraphs:                para.clear()
            content = [                ("Section Header", 0),                ("First bullet point", 1),                ("Second bullet point", 1),            ]
            tf.paragraphs[0].text = content[0][0]            tf.paragraphs[0].level = content[0][1]            for text, level in content[1:]:                p = tf.add_paragraph()                p.text = text                p.level = level```
## Example: Cover Slide
```pythonslide = prs.slides.add_slide(prs.slide_layouts[[COVER_IDX]])for shape in slide.shapes:    if hasattr(shape, 'placeholder_format'):        idx = shape.placeholder_format.idx        if idx == [TITLE_IDX]:            shape.text = "Company Name"        elif idx == [SUBTITLE_IDX]:            shape.text = "Presentation Title | Date"```
## Example: Content Slide
```pythonslide = prs.slides.add_slide(prs.slide_layouts[[CONTENT_IDX]])for shape in slide.shapes:    if hasattr(shape, 'placeholder_format'):        ph_type = shape.placeholder_format.type        idx = shape.placeholder_format.idx        if ph_type == 1:            shape.text = "Executive Summary"        elif idx == [BODY_IDX]:            tf = shape.text_frame            for para in tf.paragraphs:                para.clear()            content = [                ("Key Findings", 0),                ("Revenue grew 40% YoY to $50M", 1),                ("Expanded to 3 new markets", 1),                ("Recommendation", 0),                ("Proceed with strategic initiative", 1),            ]            tf.paragraphs[0].text = content[0][0]            tf.paragraphs[0].level = content[0][1]            for text, level in content[1:]:                p = tf.add_paragraph()                p.text = text                p.level = level```

Step 6: Create Example Output

Generate a sample presentation to validate the skill works. Save it alongside the skill for reference.

PPT-Specific Rules for Generated Skills

Template in assets/ - always bundle the .pptx file
Self-contained SKILL.md - all instructions embedded, no external references
No manual bullets - use paragraph.level for hierarchy
Delete slides first - always clear existing slides before adding new ones
Document placeholders by idx - placeholder idx values are template-specific

Source and attribution

Source:anthropics/financial-servicesinplugins/vertical-plugins/financial-analysis/skills/ppt-template-creatorat commit574ed36

License: No license

Content belongs to its original authors. SourceWeft indexes it from a public repository.

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Ppt Template Creator

PPT Template Creator

Workflow

Step 2: Analyze Template

Finding the True Content Start Position

Step 5: Write SKILL.md

Generated SKILL.md Template

Step 6: Create Example Output

PPT-Specific Rules for Generated Skills

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