Presentation Tool Selection

Presentation Tool Selection Skill

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

Staleness Watch: See EXTERNAL-API-REGISTRY.md for source URLs and recheck cadence

the AI assistant 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 the AI assistant
2. the AI assistant applies Duarte methodology (see gamma-presentations skill)
3. the AI assistant generates structured markdown
4. Paste into gamma.app → AI creates polished deck

Best Practice: Use the AI assistant 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 the AI assistant/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"