Presentation Tool Selection

Presentation Tool Selection Skill

Choose the right presentation tool for your use case — Slides, Pitch, or Auto.

Alex has three presentation generation capabilities. This skill provides the decision framework for selecting the optimal tool based on requirements.

Tool Nicknames (Quick Reference)

Just say: "use Slides", "use Pitch", or "use Auto"

The Three Tools

Quick Decision Matrix

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                    PRESENTATION TOOL SELECTOR                   │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

                         START HERE
                              │
                              ▼
              ┌───────────────────────────────┐
              │   Need AI to generate content │──YES──▶ PITCH (Gamma)
              │   from a topic/prompt?        │        (AI-powered)
              └───────────────────────────────┘
                              │ NO
                              ▼
              ┌───────────────────────────────┐
              │   Need programmatic/automated  │──YES──▶ AUTO (PptxGenJS)
              │   generation from data/API?   │        (Code-based)
              └───────────────────────────────┘
                              │ NO
                              ▼
              ┌───────────────────────────────┐
              │   Need version control +      │──YES──▶ SLIDES (Marp)
              │   simple Markdown workflow?   │        (Markdown-first)
              └───────────────────────────────┘
                              │ NO
                              ▼
              ┌───────────────────────────────┐
              │   Default: Start with SLIDES  │
              │   (fastest to get started)    │
              └───────────────────────────────┘

Detailed Comparison

Use Case Matrix

Choose MARP When:

Marp Workflow:

---
marp: true
theme: default
---

# Slide Title

- Bullet point
- Another point

---

# Next Slide

Export: Use export_marp tool or VS Code Marp extension

Choose GAMMA When:

Gamma Workflow:

1. Provide topic/outline to Alex
2. Alex applies Duarte methodology (see gamma-presentations skill)
3. Alex generates structured markdown
4. Paste into gamma.app → AI creates polished deck

Best Practice: Use Alex as presentation consultant first (audience, goal, S.T.A.R. moments), then generate.

Choose PPTXGENJS When:

PptxGenJS Workflow:

import { generateAndSavePresentation } from './pptxGenerator';

const slides = [
  { type: 'title', title: 'Q4 Report', subtitle: 'Automated' },
  { type: 'chart', chartType: 'bar', data: quarterlyData }
];

await generateAndSavePresentation(slides, {}, 'report.pptx');

Best Practice: Define slide templates, feed data, automate export.

Decision Flowchart by Context

Hybrid Workflows

Sometimes the best approach combines tools:

Marp → Gamma Refinement

1. Draft slides in Marp (fast iteration)
2. Export rough content
3. Refine in Gamma for final polish

PptxGenJS + Marp Templates

1. Use Marp themes for branding reference
2. Replicate in PptxGenJS Slide Masters
3. Automate data-driven generation

Gamma Consulting → PptxGenJS Automation

1. Use Alex/Gamma for narrative structure
2. Implement as PptxGenJS templates
3. Feed data for automated generation

Anti-Patterns

Activation Triggers

• "which presentation tool", "what tool for slides"
• "marp vs gamma", "pptx vs gamma", "slides vs pitch"
• "use slides", "use pitch", "use auto"
• "create presentation" (then assess requirements)
• "best way to make slides"
• "presentation strategy"

Synapses

See synapses.json for connections.